How to Properly Apply Walrus Oil Oils and Waxes for a Perfect Wood Finish

The Walrus Oil philosophy of wood finishing

For woodworking craftsmanship to be preserved for future generations, wood finishing should be seen not as a quick final step, but as a thoughtful and careful processthat every maker adapts to their own experience. Whether it is a precisely polished guitar, a rocking chair or a simple cutting board, experienced craftsmen have developed their own finishing methods over the years.

Most agree that a quality wood finish should never detract from the natural beauty of the material, but rather preserve it like a work of art. Unlike synthetic lacquers or polyurethanes , a wood oil should be not only safe to apply but also easy to maintain.

Walrus Oil puts this philosophy into every one of its products – from cutting board oils, through furniture butters, to waxes. We believe this guide will help you turn wood finishing into a lasting, meaningful experience that will make your creations stand the test of time.

Preparing wood before oiling and waxing

Proper preparation of the wood surface is the key to a long-lasting and even wood finish. It doesn't matter whether you are creating a new project or renovating older furniture – every preparation step affects the final appearance and lifespan of the oil or wax layer.

🔨 For new projects

1️⃣ Checking the wood moisture

Before applying any oil, the wood must be properly dried – ideally to a moisture content below 10 %. Higher moisture can significantly slow down the drying of the oil and lead to unwanted stains and blotches. We recommend investing in a quality wood moisture meter, which can be bought in timber shops or online.

2️⃣ Prevent raised grain with the "Sand–Wet–Sand" method

If you want to achieve a smooth surface without raised fibres, use the sand-wet-sand:

• First, sand the surface of the wood with sandpaper of grit 120–220.

• Then dampen the surface with water, which makes the wood fibres "stand up".

• Let it dry completely.

• Then sand again with finer paper (grit 220–320) to remove the raised fibres.

This step is important for a beautiful and even appearance after oiling or waxing.

🪑 For furniture renovation and restoration

1️⃣ Thorough surface cleaning

When renovating wooden furniture, cutting boards or other items with an original finish, the first step is careful cleaning of the surface. Remove dirt such as waxes, crayons, dried food residuesand traces of cleaning products. Before applying a new finish, make sure the surface is completely dry and clean.

This preparation is essential for Walrus Oil products – whether wood oils, waxes or furniture butters – to adhere perfectly to the surface and create a protective and attractive layerthat will last for years.

How to properly apply oil finishes

Cutting Board Oil, Furniture Finish, Tung Oil, Coconut Oil and Linseed Oil

1️⃣ Applying the first coat (the most important step)

1. Before application, the wood surface must be sanded with 220–320 grit sandpaper.
2. Apply a thin coat of oil by hand using sandpaper of the same grit or a nonwoven pad (nonwoven sanding pad).
   1. You can also use a random orbital sander or polisher – but be careful not to press too hard, otherwise you would sand the surface at the same time as applying the oil.
3. Thoroughly and patiently massage the oil into the wood poresuntil the surface looks dry and feels smooth to the touch.
4. Let it dry for 12–24 hours. The longer you let the first coat dry, the better.
5. After this time, buff off the oil residue with a fine non-abrasive pad – the surface should be completely dry.

2️⃣ Applying further coats (as needed)

In most cases a second coat of oilis sufficient, but for a perfect result we recommend up to 3–4 coats (e.g. for tables and chairs in intensive use).

Proceed in the same way as with the first coat, only increase the grit of the sandpaper:

• First coat: 220–320

• Second coat: 320–400

• Third coat: 400–600

• Fourth coat: 600+

3️⃣ How to avoid unwanted results

• Although oil finishes are less prone to a blotchy appearance, it is important to be careful and follow the correct procedure.
• This way you will avoid not only blotches but also a weakening of the protective layer.
• Detailed prevention advice can be found in the next part of the article below.

🍯 How to properly apply wax finishes

1️⃣ Applying waxes

Whether you use wax as a final coat for a new project or are restoring older furniture, the procedure is very similar.

For new projects, always apply oil first and only then wax, because oil will not penetrate a waxed surface and the result would not be even.

We recommend using a non-abrasive polishing pad, whether the wax serves as a final finish or just for buffing. This prevents disturbing the underlying oil layers.

1. Apply a small amount of wax to the entire wood surface.

2. For cutting board wax (Cutting Board Wax), leave it on for 15–30 minutes, then wipe off the excess.

3. For furniture wax (Furniture Polish), leave it on for 1 hour.

4. For furniture butter (Furniture Butter), leave it on for 12–24 hours.

🔁 If you use Furniture Polish or Furniture Butter as a final coat, let the wax cure for 4 weeksbefore it comes into contact with water.

🧽 If you are only restoring part of a piece of furniture, you can use wax for local polishing. If the result does not look even, apply wax to the entire surface and buff it carefully.

⚠️ For older furniture with an unknown previous finish, we recommend testing the wax on an inconspicuous spot firstbefore applying it over the whole surface.

2️⃣ How to avoid unwanted results

Compared to oil finishes, wax finishes have lower absorption, so you need to be particularly careful when applying them.

🎯 To avoid:

• a blotchy appearance

• a weakening of the protective layer

…we recommend following the preventive steps in the next part of the article below.

☀️ Preventing the finish from fading

Fading or the "fade effect" of a finish can occur when the wood finish is not fully cured (polymerised). This leads to the surface rubbing off, fading or even partially evaporatingafter contact with objects or exposure to the sun. Insufficiently cured oils and waxes can transfer to textiles or leave stains. Direct sunlight can also break down or permanently damage.

🟡 How to prevent it?

• After application, let the oils and waxes cure (polymerise) long enough – ideally up to 4 weeksbefore exposing them to water, objects or direct sunlight.

• During this time, regular gentle buffingis recommended to remove excess material and help even polymerisation.

📋 Summary of the best tips – PRO TIPS RECAP

✅ Always prepare the wood thoroughly, starting with the "sand-wet-sand" method to eliminate raised fibres.

✅ Always apply oil finishes before wax finishes – wax could prevent the oil from penetrating.

✅ For new products, apply at least 2 coats of oil for long-term protection.

✅ Work the surface through a grit range from 220 up to 800 – increase the sanding fineness with each additional coat.

✅ The higher the grit, the smoother and glossier the final surface (depending on the type of oil or wax used).

✅ Apply wax finishes exclusively with fine non-abrasive padsso as not to wipe off the underlying oil.

✅ Layering multiple coats is recommended exclusively for oils – waxes are not suitable for multi-coat application unless you have professional equipment.

✅ Observe the curing time between coats – usually 12–24 hours.

• For new kitchen cutting boards or wooden spoons: 1–2 days after the last coat

• For furniture: 2–4 weeks after the last coatbefore normal use or contact with water begins.