Is paste wax good for hardwood floors?

Hardwood floors can add warmth and beauty to any home. However, they require regular care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. Applying paste wax is one way to protect and enhance hardwood floors. But is paste wax the best product to use? Here is an in-depth look at whether paste wax is good for hardwood floors.

What is Paste Wax?

Paste wax is a product made from carnauba wax, beeswax, candelilla wax or paraffin wax mixed with solvents and softening or emulsifying agents. It has a thick, paste-like consistency. Paste wax provides a high-gloss finish and protective coating on wood surfaces.

When applied properly, paste wax forms a breathable barrier that repels water and protects against scratches and scuffs. It also contains UV inhibitors to reduce fading from sunlight exposure. Paste wax must be buffed to create a hard, durable finish. The carnauba wax in many paste wax products is known for its water-repellant properties.

Benefits of Using Paste Wax on Hardwoods

Here are some of the benefits of using paste wax on hardwood floors:

Enhances Natural Wood Grain

Paste wax accentuates the natural color and grain of wood. The coating it leaves behind makes the floors gleam while allowing the beauty of the wood to shine through.

Restorative Properties

In addition to protecting floors, paste wax can also restore older, worn floors. The wax fills in small scratches and blemishes in the wood, helping refinish and renew dull-looking hardwoods.

Water Resistance

Paste wax creates a hydrophobic barrier, preventing water from penetrating and damaging the wood. This water resistance helps hardwood flooring maintain its shape and structure.

UV Ray Protection

Paste wax contains UV absorbers that reflect sunlight off the floor’s surface. This protects against fading and discoloration from the sun’s rays.

Enhanced Shine

Through buffing and polishing, paste wax produces a high-gloss finish on hardwood floors. This lustrous shine enhances the floors’ visual appeal.

Scratch Protection

The wax coating helps protect hardwood floors from surface scratches, scuffs and traffic marks. Paste wax adds a sacrificial layer that can be reapplied after wear to maintain the floors’ flawless look.

Long-Lasting Finish

With proper application and care, paste wax can provide durable protection for hardwood floors that lasts several months or more before needing to be reapplied. The carnauba wax in many paste waxes is especially long-lasting.

Potential Drawbacks of Paste Wax on Hardwoods

Despite its benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider when using paste wax on hardwood floors:

Frequent Reapplication

Although durable, paste wax does require reapplication every few months under normal traffic conditions. This can become tedious compared to more permanent floor finishes.

Difficult Application

Applying paste wax can be labor-intensive. It requires buffing the wax thoroughly into the wood, letting it dry, then buffing again to harden the protective coating. Improper application can lead to streaking.

Not Ideal for Heavy Traffic

Paste wax may need reapplying more often in high-traffic areas or commercial spaces. Other finishes like polyurethane are more heavy-duty.

Requires Precise Cleaning

To avoid damaging the wax coating, hardwood floors finished with paste wax can only be cleaned with certain products and methods. Harsh or abrasive cleaners will strip away the protective wax.

Potential Discoloration Over Time

While paste wax resists UV rays initially, some yellowing or darkening may occur over many years as sunlight breaks down the wax. This can gradually alter the look of light-colored hardwood floors.

Difficulty With Touch-ups

Unlike polyurethane that allows spot repairs, paste wax requires redoing the entire floor to fix any damaged areas. Touch-ups are very difficult and obvious.

Best Uses for Paste Wax on Hardwood Floors

Here are the situations where paste wax works best for finishing and protecting hardwood floors:

Residential Flooring

For homes rather than commercial spaces, paste wax provides sufficient durability for family foot traffic while bringing out the floor’s natural beauty.

Flooring in Low-Traffic Rooms

Paste wax is ideal for hardwoods in bedrooms, studies and other rooms or areas that do not get constant, heavy use. Less traffic extends the wax coating’s lifespan.

Antique or Damaged Flooring

By filling small dents and scratches, paste wax can rejuvenate and restore old, worn hardwood flooring or antique floors.

Enhancing Specific Wood Types

Paste wax is commonly used on lighter woods like maple or ash that benefit from its subtle gloss enhancement.

Quick Floor Makeover

For a fast hardwood floor facelift in between more extensive refinishing jobs, a new coat of paste wax can refresh the floors’ appearance.

As a Supplement to Polyurethane

Some homeowners apply a thin coat of paste wax over polyurethane for extra protection and sheen. This boosts the durability of polyurethane.

Application Tips and Tricks

Proper application technique is key to getting great results from paste wax on hardwood floors:

– Only apply paste wax to fully cured and cleaned floors – it will not adhere well to unfinished or dirty floors.

– Use a high-quality natural bristle brush to apply the paste wax evenly in thin coats following the wood grain.

– Let the paste wax dry completely per label instructions before buffing to harden the finish. Buffing too early can pull wax out of the wood grain.

– When buffing, use a terrycloth towel wrapped around a floor buffer or weighted brush. Buff in the same direction as the floor boards.

– Work in small sections to ensure the paste wax is fully buffed and hardened before moving on. Insufficient buffing causes dull spots.

– For an extra-glossy shine, do a final buffing with a soft cloth a few hours after the initial hard buffing.

– Always spot test paste wax in an inconspicuous area first to ensure compatibility with any existing floor finishes.

Maintenance Tips for Paste Waxed Floors

While durable, paste wax will wear over time. Proper maintenance preserves its protective qualities longer:

– Vacuum frequently using the brush head and microfiber mop to attract dust rather than push it around.

– Use only specified hardwood floor cleaners, never wet mopping or harsh chemicals that degrade the wax.

– Periodically refresh high-traffic areas by applying a new thin coat of paste wax and buffing.

– Watch for signs of wear like scuffs, water marks or dullness-these indicate it’s time to re-wax the floors.

– Avoid walking on floors with high heels or sharp objects that pierce the wax coating.

– Place area rugs at entrances and under furniture legs to reduce surface scratching and marks.

– Reapply paste wax 1-2 times per year for residential floors, up to 4 times yearly for commercial spaces.

Paste Wax vs Polyurethane for Hardwood Floors

Polyurethane is the most common modern finish for hardwood floors. Here is how paste wax compares:

Durability

Polyurethane is longer-lasting, providing years of protection vs months for paste wax. It also better withstands heavy foot traffic.

Application

Polyurethane has a faster and easier application process requiring less drying and buffing time.

Repairs

Polyurethane allows spot fixes and touch ups. Paste wax requires redoing the entire floor.

Shine Level

Paste wax offers a deeper, richer looking shine, especially on darker woods.

Cost

Polyurethane is more expensive initially but provides longer protection so lower long-term cost.

Fumes

Polyurethane has strong VOCs and odor during application. Paste wax has minimal fumes.

Environmental Impact

Paste wax is more eco-friendly and less toxic than solvent-based polyurethanes.

So while paste wax has some distinct advantages, polyurethane is superior in durability and ease of use for most modern homes and flooring situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you apply paste wax over polyurethane?

Yes, it is fine to apply a thin coat of paste wax over polyurethane floors for added protection and shine. Be sure polyurethane is fully cured first.

Does paste wax need to be buffed?

Buffing is critical to properly hardening the paste wax finish and achieving an attractive glossy shine. Insufficient buffing results in a soft wax coating that scuffs easily.

How long does paste wax last on floors?

With moderate traffic, paste wax typically lasts 3-6 months before needing reapplication. High-traffic floors may need waxing every 1-2 months for continued protection.

Can you use paste wax and polyurethane on the same floor?

It’s best not to mix wax and polyurethane finishes. Remove wax entirely before applying poly, or do spot tests for compatibility if applying wax minimally over poly.

What removes paste wax from wood floors?

Mineral spirits effectively dissolve paste wax for complete removal before re-finishing. Avoid using wax strippers which may damage the bare wood.

Conclusion

Paste wax can be an excellent protective finish for certain hardwood flooring situations, providing a lustrous shine and water-resistant barrier. While quicker to apply than polyurethane, it requires more frequent reapplication and careful maintenance. For residential floors in low-traffic areas, paste wax is a viable option to enhance and safeguard wood’s natural elegance. But for commercial sites or busy homes, polyurethane generally performs better under heavy usage demands. Consider the specific flooring location and usage, along with homeowner preferences for shine level, when deciding whether paste wax is a good choice. With its aesthetic beauty but shorter lifespan compared to polyurethane, paste wax is best reserved for the right hardwood floor circumstances.