We are honored to be reviewed by Marc, a true craftsman who we all admire. Many thanks for putting so much effort for this fair and informative analyses. We believe all brands share the same goal, which is making easy to use, affordable, environmental friendly and sustainable high quality products for woodworking community. We will keep working hard to improve our products and supply the best solutions to woodworkers.
First, thank you so much for this comprehensive analysis of these products! Second, that is one of my all time favorite movies! It’s my person opinion, that there isn’t a one size fits all product and anyone of these would be fine for certain jobs. DIY Wife used Rubio stains on a huge hutch build but can’t remember if she used their 2c hard wax. Now I have to go back and watch. Again, thanks for all the time you spent on this, it was truly very informative and I was schooled on hard wax finishes! 👍🏻
Thank you very much for the honest and thorough approach to your testing! We're very excited we're we ranked in your testing. Thank you very much for the publicity of our products!
We build furniture everyday and use several different finishes. The one thing that concerned me was the change in color after setting out overnight. Should I be concerned about that? Any idea what caused that change compared to the others?
We thank Marc very much for this info. I am a hobbyist and have never tried any of these. Mainly because I only knew of Rubio. The cost to me was a no go. So I will be trying rustic on my first time out.
To say a company "might be in trouble" after performing a biased (he prefers more sheen) and subjective comparison is laughably all speculation and click bait.
Drop the Mic Marc! This is absolutely the reason why I support this channel. TWW brings more knowledge than most woodworking channels and he has the years of experience to back it up! Fantastic video and better information. The spinning cans turned out perfect thanks to Jason!
Thanks, cost is always a problem. It is a problem because I tend to buy a bunch of products and test them. Since you did it I could save some $. But protection is important for me, so I need to find a way to make poly look awesome.
This has been incredibly thorough, fair and helpful, thank you! I've used Rubio a number of times on furniture for my home, but the cost just hurts. I can't wait to give Natura a try for my current project!
The quality of your videos has gone up dramatically in the past year or two. Not having to worry about sponsors has significantly improved your channel IMO. Thanks for the excellent test! I've been finishing all my furniture with Rubio for several years now. Looks like it's time to give Natura a try!
Me personally, as a hobbyist/artist/small business - the one barrier to using Rubio before was the price. Knowing there are cheaper products with similar results, gives me hope.
Rubio does go a long way a 100ml bottle top bottom 4x8 if anything its for hobbyists should love it because it's ease of use. Price comparative when you factor in time/coats/durability factors. only 150 grit needed.
I recently used Rubio for the first time to finish a chessboard. The price was the reason I hadn't tried it sooner. But the saying "a little goes a long way" couldn't be more true when talking about Rubio. I was amazed at how little it took to finish the chessboard and how easy it is to apply. That said, I will be trying these other products in the future.
I saw a video by ENCurtis recently that was discussing differences between TH-cam/influencer woodworking channels and professional woodworking practices, and that was one of the things he mentioned. Rubio is one of the most popular finishes on TH-cam, but he said that Osmo was much more common in the professional shops he had worked in
A little goes a long way with Natura also. I recently decided to give it a try, and used 60g of finish and 20g of hardener to put two coats on a recipe box I was making. I had enough left over to give a small coffee table 2 coats as well.
Bravo to General Finishes for putting the hardener in a container that is actually easy to use and close. I inevitably get that pull-out spout thing completely covered and stuck inside the little can.
Thank you for making this video. I've been using Rubio for a few years and whilst it's a good finish, there is absolutely no reason for it to be as expensive as it is. In Australia we're paying about USD$270 for the 1.3L tin where as in the US it seems to be ~$180.
The nice thing about Osmo is that they have several different options for hard wax oil (matte, satin, semi-matte, transparent, different hues). And they offer cheap samples, so I just ordered 6 of them and tested them on some birch plywood. Really affordable and nice way to pick out the specific oil that fits best with the wood species you're working on.
I have now watched this review twice. Once when it first came out and again today when I wanted to review it again. Great work as usual Marc. You are highly credible and do not loan your reputation to others. I am about to order my first of a two component finish and this was very helpful. Thank you for all that you do! I truly appreciate your work. All the Best!
My big brother, got sick...GOT BETTER, regain his ability to " screw around in the garage" and short of it all....learned to love birds like his little sister, that's me and started making bird feeders, bird houses etc, b4 you know it his daughter set up an Etsy acct and he tinkers with wood building said feeders/ bird houses to custom things...consoles, decor inside & outside etc etc. So my point is...this was EXTREMELY helpful to him & I was simply pleased to receive a lengthy ( I'm not a fan of the "Shorts") video from you again! So thx you for all the info my brother is now moling over for his benefit and thx you for posting. ID love to see more from you in your shop like we used too! Nonetheless I'm not going anywhere...I've been a fan 4 years.
Extremely, EXTREMELY well done video. You’ve put a lot of thought into this video…results, benefits, possible perceived bias, sustainability and ecological considerations. It made me question, but more importantly it encouraged me to think and to become more open minded. Thank you for your time, energy, honesty, and professionalism.
Thank you for this video. I am a DIY newbie and almost finished applying Rubio to a floor. Unfortunately I did not purchase enough product, ugh. I went with Rubio because they have lots of instructions on their website. In the future I plan to do a larger room and was considering Natura for economic reasons since I now have a better understanding of the process. Your video confirmed my own brand research.
I just want to say after watching this, I can truly say that your information was just what I needed to make a decision on my next guitar finish. I will apply some hard wax polish to increase durability. Thanks so much!!
I'm glad you call Isocyante a hardener rather than the disingenuous accelerator that Rubio call it. I think Rubio would win as King of Colour. I know not often promoted on TH-cam, but they do have an amazing range of 'colors' that I'd urge everyone to take a look at rather than just using Pure on every project. Things like Black or Chocolate on walnut can look amazing.
Being a small shop owner, NaturaOnecoat will be something I will add to my top coat finishes. Every penny saved helps keep the shop open. Mahalo for the video info. Very informative channel🤙🏾🤙🏾
Congrats on creating a very clear and thorough video on hard wax oil options! One apparently unique feature of Rubio (at least among the example included in this test) is the wide range of color options available - I am partial to Midnight Indigo and Velvet Green... If you (or anyone who happens to see this reply) is aware of a method for adding color to hard wax oils I would love to learn about it.
As a hobbyist who wants to move into having my own business one day, this was amazingly helpful. Thanks for the time and effort that you put into this. Well done!
It is easier to make it if you focus on built in furniture such as kitchens, closets, book cases and so on. It is much harder to compete in the stand alone furniture field due to the sheer volume of cheap mass produced furniture.
I'm glad you mentioned personal preference regarding sheen. I rely on gloss for durability. But from an aesthetics point of view, less sheen lets us see more color and grain which looks better than white light glaring back at me.
Marc, I took a while responding to this video because I needed the time to try your recommendations on the two "winning" hard wax oil products in your excellent test. Having used Rubio in the past, I can tell you that both of these competitors are virtually identical in their final presentation, just as you said. However, Rustic Lumber provided nearly 3x the quantity of product for the same price as the other "winner." For me, that makes it the clear choice going forward as the final results are superb and definitely a Rubio competitor, finish-wise. As always your videos are superb and informative as can be.
I am a long time hobbyist in woodworking and have been using Waterlox and ArmRSeal for small tables etc. I have been interested to maybe change what I use and found your video informative and really thorough. Thank You for such a great video.
Wow that was great! Extremely valuable information for the novice wood worker and diy’er! I’m super grateful for the time and energy you put into this video.
Thank you so much for this excellent review! Rubio is so expensive and I'm excited to try something with less cost. I love wood working and am still learning!
This is superb--hanks so much this presentation, Marc. ALSO--I strongly support you doing "theme" shows on Fridays--focusing on a particular tool, intervention, or some other aspect of working with wood. I've owned a Laguna bandsaw for 20 + years, and love it, but always think I can learn more (especially about getting brave enough to cut "free-handed", not using the fence). And even if I don't have the tool you were working on--like the jointer, for example, it is a pleasure to learn something new. Keep up the great work.
Finishing is my Achilles heel! This vid lead to the wiping video, then to the finishing playlist. Can you say rabbit hole?! Thanks for all you do on my journey to being a better wood worker! You (and Oreo) rock.
I bought a small can of Rubio and it was insanely expensive ($130/350ml), so while I had some I came up with a recipe of my own and tested it with the Rubio hardener. It worked the same. I can't tell the difference, so it works for me. I'm trying to work out where to buy the hardener by itself at reasonable cost and I'll be set. Here's the recipe: On an electric hot-plate outdoors, double boil 1/2 cup pure tung oil, 1/2 cup boiled linseed oil, 15g carnauba wax, 1.5g white (capping) beeswax until the waxes have melted and mixed in. Take off the stove to cool and while it's still warm, not hot, add 1/2 cup of citrus terpene and stir in. Cool to room temperature and put a lid on. Apply just like Rubio - sparingly, not flood coat. If you don't have a hardener it could take anywhere up to 30 days to fully cure. I have a Scandinavian oil (similar oils but no wax instead it's marine spar varnish) in the same kind of container (Ball mason jars) and it starts to go hard in the jar after a while but my hard wax oil recipe is still all liquid and mixed, hasn't separated.
Excellent video, content was covered awesomely. Thank you for all you do. I have been a fan of yours for quite some time, and you never disappoint. Thanks again for the great video.
Great comparison. Loved how thorough and open you were about obtaining and reporting both subjective versus objective conclusions. Thank you for putting the time and effort into sharing this with us.
I am glad to hear that you have found this book to be very informative and helpful for your woodworking project th-cam.com/users/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO It sounds like you are well prepared and confident to build furniture for your house. I commend you and your friend for your enthusiasm and willingness to learn new things from this book. I hope you enjoy your woodworking journey and create some beautiful pieces.
I'm astounded at the effort and thought that went into testing these. Thank you for the time you put in! I've only used Rubio before now, but will check out Osmo next time.
I am an Osmo guy. This confirms my bias towards the best-looking. I very much appreciate you performing this test, and it will cause me to look at the alternatives.
Excellent review! I am a "small shop" hobby woodworker and I have been very happy with the ease of use and results that I achieve with Rubio. However, now that I have watched this video, the next finish that I will give a go is Nature One Coat, based upon the information you presented. Thank you for being objective in your review, stating up front that you didn't want any finish to fail. Peace
Hi 👋, very interesting, when storing products, including paint, it might be worth store them upside down, making sure that the lid is on securely and tight, this is something I learnt many many years ago as I am now in the 70s. I hope there’s gonna be some help to somebody, Ps this even works with things like jam that has a tendency to grow mould on top, I keep my jam in the fridge upside down and so long as it doesn’t get contaminated with the butter or anything like that. It will stay safe for a long time… Phil from the moulin France.
Super interesting video. I started using Rubio monocoat when I first got into woodworking because that’s what all the TH-cam woodworkers recommended. I did notice that my wax would harden up after only using about half of the container. This is despite quickly sealing the container after each use. Very frustrating! I would essentially end up wasting half of a container because I wouldn’t use it up before it would harden over. I’ve decided to start using oil finishes like tung oil for deeper penetration into the wood, which should allow for longer protection. Thanks for doing this video!
be very careful who you watch on youtube as a new woodworker. try and watch people who actually make for a living rather than a weekend hobbyist. there is so much misinformation on this media by so called experts (retired furniture maker).
I too have been using Tung oil for all my current projects. As a home hobbyist, I can spend the extra time it takes to lay on all those extra coats. Especially when seeing the trick of applying them in very light coats to avoid future oil seepage.
@TaylerMade I completely agree. You have to be judicious about the advice you take from TH-cam woodworkers. The first woodworker I followed on TH-cam was blacktail studios, who does professional high-end epoxy tables. He almost exclusively uses Rubio monocoat, but then covers it with a ceramic-like nano coating. Overall, I really like Rubio, but it’s very expensive and I’m realizing it’s not as protective as something like tung oil.
Wow! Great review and testing of the most popular hard wax oil comparison. Your performance was close to scientific evaluation as you can get. Thank you for this valuable information. I'm retired and disabled hobbyist and diy woodworker who has been previously influenced by popular TH-cam channel providers, who usually didn't explain their affiliation with product sponsors. I have learned not to take every influencers' recommendation on products and second to do your own research. Now that the "Old Dogs" have gotten matched up we should see nothing but improvements from these companies. I'm willing to try the "New Dogs" out on some of my products to see what feedback will be from my customers.
The King is Dead! Thanks for putting in the grunt work to evaluate all of these new entries into the hardwax oil space. I've been particularly curious about the General Finishes offering, but it is good to see all of these examples put through their paces. After watching this I'll probably check out the Osmo... I've had good luck with the Polyx but have been missing the great sheen from a varnish, hopefully this two part option will hit both marks.
Durability testing should be real world use for a decade. Ceramic coatings work well on highly smooth surfaces like metal. I think unless you have a lacquer smooth surface, why bother?
Couldn’t come out at a better time, my Rubio just ran out. Going to try that natura now. I’ve had my eye on it for a while but hadn’t seen much about it. Thanks for a great vid
Excellent, excellent video. Lots of work there, and it is most appreciated. Never heard of Natura, but I am definitely going to try it. Used Rubio in the past and was happy with it, but not happy with the short shelf life for the price. So may choices, so little time.
Thanks for this, Marc. As expected, you provided in-depth, thorough, exhaustive testing with "actionable" results. But using a CAT scanner is next level!
I just used Rubio for the first time a few weeks ago. I was happy with it. It goes a long way, easy to apply, looks great, and has no nasty smells. But the price is a bit much. Had I seen this video before buying it, I would have tried Natura instead.
I recently had a "rookie" shop error...I left a one use container of Rubio unsealed. It may have been a month in between projects and when I went to finish my epoxy infilled live edge ash computer desk...I had only hardened finish. Ticked off at myself...I went on Amazon and for the first time saw @NaturaOnecoat listing for a good deal less than my standby Rubio. So, I bought it. My Ash project finished very similarly to my other Rubio projects...so, I was satisfied. I did not do side by side comparisons. You made my day giving the overall winner to Natura. I feel better now about my mistake...because I don't know if I would have ever switched. Many thanks!
Awesome video! I love the in-depth and unbiased approach you take to get the best results in your tests! I think I speak for most when I say these videos are super helpful and I truly appreciate you doing the types of test I’d want to do, to find the best product given the time, recourses, finances etc!
The presentation, options, testing decisions, and all made this VERY interesting and enjoyable to watch. So interesting and enjoyable that I could ignore the inserts and sounds. Your scientific background shows through in the best of ways. Congrats!
Wow that was just the best analysis of these finishes probably ever put on TH-cam. Very thorough, fair and honest. I’ll go back to this more than once in the future. I have to say that the Rubio hype was always sort of suspect to me.
I love the effort that went into this video. I have always used 2 coats of Rubio on projects that are not handled much: picture frames/floating shelves/ect. When it comes to furniture though Matt Cremonas 5 coats of general finish armor seal is awesome. I'm not even bothered that its not as "serviceable" as other finishes. Relating to something important mentioned in this video, I always bring up durability when talking about different species of wood to clients. If a client has kids and wants a dining table made out of a wood that doesn't stand up to wear and tear, I really try to ask them what they like about the species and find a comparable one. The Wood species and use always dictates what finish I use.
I'm only a few minutes in to the video so far and 1). I'd not heard of most of these, even though I regularly visit my local Woodcraft and hard wood dealers. 2) I recently started buying Osmo (the non-hardener mix type) because I simply can NOT find Rubio anywhere locally, 3) checking Amazon I can many of these same day or next day, whereas I can't get Rubio in anything less than a week. Thank you for highlighting some of these even though I haven't gotten to the results yet. I've been frustrated with the lack of Rubio locally, and was worried (until I tried it) that the Osmo without the hardener wasn't going to cure or be workable/packable quickly enough. I was wrong. Thanks, Marc.
Great video, Marc, as usual. But this one if more useful than any other, all youtubers put together, although Mr Lincoln St. did a very good one as well. Keep on informing us in such a good manner. Thanks
For people in The Netherlands, or wherever the big orange DIY Superstore lives, Hornbach, they do their own hard-wax oil (and a whole series of finishing products). And it's pretty great, and relatively cheap.
This was a well thought out and thorough examination. From a small Shop near Detroit Michigan, I appreciate you doing this test. I have used Rubio a handful of times but haven’t used these other products. Lately I have been using Odie’s oil. Not because I am pushing it, but my customers have been selecting it when looking at samples. I would love to see your findings testing that product agains other finishes to see what you find.
I was thinking of buying Rubio for outdoor furniture (with UV protection) but now I will look into it in case there are other brands I don't know about. It's so pricy in Canada!
I think Rubio has some new products and some small changes in the last year. Rubio now has a sheen enhancer called “Sheen Plus.” The smaller can is now 390 ml rather than 350 ml for $59. Sheen Plus is on my list to try out.
Great comparison. I’ve worked both as a wood flooring manufacturer and as a carpenter and furniture maker,for more than 35 years. Hard wax oils are a game changer. In the flooring business going from a film finish to HWOil changed everything. We started with Osmo but now use a product called Saicos. We use different methods of application;conveyer uv drying,spray,and wipe on. Both companies are German (I think). Although prices may seem high a little goes along way. Error on the less side. To much will look awful. Second and third coats require even smaller amounts. I have to say that I still prefer linseed oil and a lacquer top coat. Just old school I guess. Huge PS,dispose of applicators in water just like oil rags. Cheers
Very useful product evaluation. I feel that your testing and analysis give me the confidence to try one of these finishes and not be surprised by the results.
This was very informative. I don’t know how does this financially impact you, but having no sponsorship brings the trust level up a couple of notches. Keep the good work!
We are honored to be reviewed by Marc, a true craftsman who we all admire. Many thanks for putting so much effort for this fair and informative analyses. We believe all brands share the same goal, which is making easy to use, affordable, environmental friendly and sustainable high quality products for woodworking community. We will keep working hard to improve our products and supply the best solutions to woodworkers.
Is there an easy way to get your products from Europe without going through the hassle and costs of overseas imports?
@@vdisI wonder as well.
First, thank you so much for this comprehensive analysis of these products! Second, that is one of my all time favorite movies!
It’s my person opinion, that there isn’t a one size fits all product and anyone of these would be fine for certain jobs. DIY Wife used Rubio stains on a huge hutch build but can’t remember if she used their 2c hard wax. Now I have to go back and watch. Again, thanks for all the time you spent on this, it was truly very informative and I was schooled on hard wax finishes! 👍🏻
We are planning to expand our Amazon business to Europe soon. Thanks again for your interest.
@@NaturaOnecoat Some ETA would be nice 😉
Thank you very much for the honest and thorough approach to your testing! We're very excited we're we ranked in your testing. Thank you very much for the publicity of our products!
👍
We build furniture everyday and use several different finishes. The one thing that concerned me was the change in color after setting out overnight. Should I be concerned about that? Any idea what caused that change compared to the others?
We thank Marc very much for this info. I am a hobbyist and have never tried any of these. Mainly because I only knew of Rubio. The cost to me was a no go. So I will be trying rustic on my first time out.
@@woodwhispererrandom question, but is your father a barber in NJ?
And this is why you are my favorite woodworking channel! No BS no trying to sell us anything. Just good honest information! Keep up the great work!
To say a company "might be in trouble" after performing a biased (he prefers more sheen) and subjective comparison is laughably all speculation and click bait.
Drop the Mic Marc! This is absolutely the reason why I support this channel. TWW brings more knowledge than most woodworking channels and he has the years of experience to back it up! Fantastic video and better information. The spinning cans turned out perfect thanks to Jason!
Thanks, cost is always a problem. It is a problem because I tend to buy a bunch of products and test them. Since you did it I could save some $. But protection is important for me, so I need to find a way to make poly look awesome.
This has been incredibly thorough, fair and helpful, thank you! I've used Rubio a number of times on furniture for my home, but the cost just hurts. I can't wait to give Natura a try for my current project!
The quality of your videos has gone up dramatically in the past year or two. Not having to worry about sponsors has significantly improved your channel IMO. Thanks for the excellent test! I've been finishing all my furniture with Rubio for several years now. Looks like it's time to give Natura a try!
I see it has been 6 months since this comment so I doubt you will see this. Did you try Natura? How did you like it compared to Rubio?
Me personally, as a hobbyist/artist/small business - the one barrier to using Rubio before was the price. Knowing there are cheaper products with similar results, gives me hope.
Rubio does go a long way a 100ml bottle top bottom 4x8 if anything its for hobbyists should love it because it's ease of use. Price comparative when you factor in time/coats/durability factors. only 150 grit needed.
I agree!
I recently used Rubio for the first time to finish a chessboard. The price was the reason I hadn't tried it sooner. But the saying "a little goes a long way" couldn't be more true when talking about Rubio. I was amazed at how little it took to finish the chessboard and how easy it is to apply. That said, I will be trying these other products in the future.
I saw a video by ENCurtis recently that was discussing differences between TH-cam/influencer woodworking channels and professional woodworking practices, and that was one of the things he mentioned.
Rubio is one of the most popular finishes on TH-cam, but he said that Osmo was much more common in the professional shops he had worked in
A little goes a long way with Natura also. I recently decided to give it a try, and used 60g of finish and 20g of hardener to put two coats on a recipe box I was making. I had enough left over to give a small coffee table 2 coats as well.
Bravo to General Finishes for putting the hardener in a container that is actually easy to use and close. I inevitably get that pull-out spout thing completely covered and stuck inside the little can.
So true!
Waterlox is my drink of choice. It's a tung oil varnish, not synthetic. Polyurethane is synthetic, that's what poly means.
Waterlox is my drink of choice. It's a tung oil varnish, not a polyurethane. Polyurethane is synthetic, which is what poly means.
@@mikeamboy7292 Recently used Waterlox for the first time and I totally agree, was amazed with the results and ease of application
@@warrenwerksHow easy is it to repair waterlox?
I have been watching you forever and you never disappoint . Your evaluations are always clear, concise and researched. Thank you for what you do!!
Thank you for making this video. I've been using Rubio for a few years and whilst it's a good finish, there is absolutely no reason for it to be as expensive as it is. In Australia we're paying about USD$270 for the 1.3L tin where as in the US it seems to be ~$180.
Rubio has left the chat.
Thank you for your honest opinion about these finishes. Best regards from Croatia ❤
Marc is the Dean of the Woodworkers. No one else does all that extensive research or as well as you do. Bravo!!
Yay!!!! Finally the number of Rubio videos on TH-cam will start diminishing! 👏👏👏
Awesome video! I’m working on a guitar amp box. Looking for a durable finish to finish it with. Thanks for the help.
The nice thing about Osmo is that they have several different options for hard wax oil (matte, satin, semi-matte, transparent, different hues). And they offer cheap samples, so I just ordered 6 of them and tested them on some birch plywood. Really affordable and nice way to pick out the specific oil that fits best with the wood species you're working on.
Agreed, the variety at Osmo is important to some.
Well worth the watch. Informative on many camps. Much appreciate the non biased and extensively thorough testing.
I have now watched this review twice. Once when it first came out and again today when I wanted to review it again. Great work as usual Marc. You are highly credible and do not loan your reputation to others. I am about to order my first of a two component finish and this was very helpful. Thank you for all that you do! I truly appreciate your work. All the Best!
WOW ... that was a lot of work Marc ... thanks for all the effort and measurable results
I see Rubio on TH-cam but have never purchased due to price. I like knowing there are less expensive options as a hobbyist. Great and fair comparison.
My big brother, got sick...GOT BETTER, regain his ability to " screw around in the garage" and short of it all....learned to love birds like his little sister, that's me and started making bird feeders, bird houses etc, b4 you know it his daughter set up an Etsy acct and he tinkers with wood building said feeders/ bird houses to custom things...consoles, decor inside & outside etc etc. So my point is...this was EXTREMELY helpful to him & I was simply pleased to receive a lengthy ( I'm not a fan of the "Shorts") video from you again! So thx you for all the info my brother is now moling over for his benefit and thx you for posting. ID love to see more from you in your shop like we used too! Nonetheless I'm not going anywhere...I've been a fan 4 years.
Extremely, EXTREMELY well done video. You’ve put a lot of thought into this video…results, benefits, possible perceived bias, sustainability and ecological considerations. It made me question, but more importantly it encouraged me to think and to become more open minded.
Thank you for your time, energy, honesty, and professionalism.
Thank you for this video. I am a DIY newbie and almost finished applying Rubio to a floor. Unfortunately I did not purchase enough product, ugh. I went with Rubio because they have lots of instructions on their website. In the future I plan to do a larger room and was considering Natura for economic reasons since I now have a better understanding of the process. Your video confirmed my own brand research.
I just want to say after watching this, I can truly say that your information was just what I needed to make a decision on my next guitar finish. I will apply some hard wax polish to increase durability. Thanks so much!!
I'm glad you call Isocyante a hardener rather than the disingenuous accelerator that Rubio call it.
I think Rubio would win as King of Colour. I know not often promoted on TH-cam, but they do have an amazing range of 'colors' that I'd urge everyone to take a look at rather than just using Pure on every project. Things like Black or Chocolate on walnut can look amazing.
Great comparison Marc 👏Shame about the inconclusive results on the spot repair test. Would have been the clear winner for a clumsy donut like myself
Being a small shop owner, NaturaOnecoat will be something I will add to my top coat finishes. Every penny saved helps keep the shop open. Mahalo for the video info. Very informative channel🤙🏾🤙🏾
Job well done . Thank you. As a hobbyist my biggest concern was how long would it last if I didn’t use it all on one project.
29:26
Congrats on creating a very clear and thorough video on hard wax oil options! One apparently unique feature of Rubio (at least among the example included in this test) is the wide range of color options available - I am partial to Midnight Indigo and Velvet Green... If you (or anyone who happens to see this reply) is aware of a method for adding color to hard wax oils I would love to learn about it.
As a hobbyist who wants to move into having my own business one day, this was amazingly helpful. Thanks for the time and effort that you put into this. Well done!
It is easier to make it if you focus on built in furniture such as kitchens, closets, book cases and so on. It is much harder to compete in the stand alone furniture field due to the sheer volume of cheap mass produced furniture.
I'm glad you mentioned personal preference regarding sheen. I rely on gloss for durability. But from an aesthetics point of view, less sheen lets us see more color and grain which looks better than white light glaring back at me.
Marc,
I took a while responding to this video because I needed the time to try your recommendations on the two "winning" hard wax oil products in your excellent test.
Having used Rubio in the past, I can tell you that both of these competitors are virtually identical in their final presentation, just as you said.
However, Rustic Lumber provided nearly 3x the quantity of product for the same price as the other "winner."
For me, that makes it the clear choice going forward as the final results are superb and definitely a Rubio competitor, finish-wise.
As always your videos are superb and informative as can be.
Excellent review.
Thanks, Marc.
I am a long time hobbyist in woodworking and have been using Waterlox and ArmRSeal for small tables etc. I have been interested to maybe change what I use and found your video informative and really thorough.
Thank You for such a great video.
thanks for taking the time to do all these test. great information to help decide what you need and what is now available.
Wow that was great! Extremely valuable information for the novice wood worker and diy’er! I’m super grateful for the time and energy you put into this video.
Great information. I really appreciate how comprehensive your testing was!
Thank you so much for this excellent review! Rubio is so expensive and I'm excited to try something with less cost. I love wood working and am still learning!
This is superb--hanks so much this presentation, Marc. ALSO--I strongly support you doing "theme" shows on Fridays--focusing on a particular tool, intervention, or some other aspect of working with wood. I've owned a Laguna bandsaw for 20 + years, and love it, but always think I can learn more (especially about getting brave enough to cut "free-handed", not using the fence). And even if I don't have the tool you were working on--like the jointer, for example, it is a pleasure to learn something new. Keep up the great work.
Finishing is my Achilles heel! This vid lead to the wiping video, then to the finishing playlist. Can you say rabbit hole?! Thanks for all you do on my journey to being a better wood worker! You (and Oreo) rock.
Sorry for the typos, can’t edit on my ipad for some reason.
Thanks!
Thank you!
I really appreciate the work you put in on these test my friend! i for one will buy the Natura onecoat
I bought a small can of Rubio and it was insanely expensive ($130/350ml), so while I had some I came up with a recipe of my own and tested it with the Rubio hardener. It worked the same. I can't tell the difference, so it works for me. I'm trying to work out where to buy the hardener by itself at reasonable cost and I'll be set. Here's the recipe:
On an electric hot-plate outdoors, double boil 1/2 cup pure tung oil, 1/2 cup boiled linseed oil, 15g carnauba wax, 1.5g white (capping) beeswax until the waxes have melted and mixed in. Take off the stove to cool and while it's still warm, not hot, add 1/2 cup of citrus terpene and stir in. Cool to room temperature and put a lid on. Apply just like Rubio - sparingly, not flood coat. If you don't have a hardener it could take anywhere up to 30 days to fully cure.
I have a Scandinavian oil (similar oils but no wax instead it's marine spar varnish) in the same kind of container (Ball mason jars) and it starts to go hard in the jar after a while but my hard wax oil recipe is still all liquid and mixed, hasn't separated.
awesome - thank you!
Excellent video, content was covered awesomely. Thank you for all you do. I have been a fan of yours for quite some time, and you never disappoint. Thanks again for the great video.
Great comparison. Loved how thorough and open you were about obtaining and reporting both subjective versus objective conclusions. Thank you for putting the time and effort into sharing this with us.
I am glad to hear that you have found this book to be very informative and helpful for your woodworking project th-cam.com/users/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO It sounds like you are well prepared and confident to build furniture for your house. I commend you and your friend for your enthusiasm and willingness to learn new things from this book. I hope you enjoy your woodworking journey and create some beautiful pieces.
How did a spam post get so many up-votes?
I'm astounded at the effort and thought that went into testing these. Thank you for the time you put in! I've only used Rubio before now, but will check out Osmo next time.
That was an amazing video. Informational, honest, great coverage. Huge thanks.
This is next level content! Thanks for all of your contributions to the woodworking community.
I am an Osmo guy. This confirms my bias towards the best-looking. I very much appreciate you performing this test, and it will cause me to look at the alternatives.
Mark excellent job on breaking down the details of each product. Thank you for the facts
Totally brilliant video Marc. I'd really love to see you do a stain comparison of the compatible Hardwax oil finishes.
Admirable attention to detail. Well done and thank you.
Excellent review! I am a "small shop" hobby woodworker and I have been very happy with the ease of use and results that I achieve with Rubio. However, now that I have watched this video, the next finish that I will give a go is Nature One Coat, based upon the information you presented. Thank you for being objective in your review, stating up front that you didn't want any finish to fail. Peace
Really really really awesome comparison. I will be ordering some of these to try. Thank you for introducing me to some of these.
This is absolutely bloody brilliant, Mark, such a great bit of work
Hi 👋, very interesting, when storing products, including paint, it might be worth store them upside down, making sure that the lid is on securely and tight, this is something I learnt many many years ago as I am now in the 70s. I hope there’s gonna be some help to somebody,
Ps this even works with things like jam that has a tendency to grow mould on top, I keep my jam in the fridge upside down and so long as it doesn’t get contaminated with the butter or anything like that. It will stay safe for a long time… Phil from the moulin France.
Love the shirt!!! Jersey Boy here. Love you repping your Jersey family side!!!
Great video Marc very help information for the hoppiest woodworker with so many great options and so much insight. Thanks for sharing 👏👏👏
Super interesting video. I started using Rubio monocoat when I first got into woodworking because that’s what all the TH-cam woodworkers recommended. I did notice that my wax would harden up after only using about half of the container. This is despite quickly sealing the container after each use. Very frustrating! I would essentially end up wasting half of a container because I wouldn’t use it up before it would harden over. I’ve decided to start using oil finishes like tung oil for deeper penetration into the wood, which should allow for longer protection. Thanks for doing this video!
be very careful who you watch on youtube as a new woodworker. try and watch people who actually make for a living rather than a weekend hobbyist. there is so much misinformation on this media by so called experts (retired furniture maker).
I too have been using Tung oil for all my current projects. As a home hobbyist, I can spend the extra time it takes to lay on all those extra coats. Especially when seeing the trick of applying them in very light coats to avoid future oil seepage.
@TaylerMade I completely agree. You have to be judicious about the advice you take from TH-cam woodworkers. The first woodworker I followed on TH-cam was blacktail studios, who does professional high-end epoxy tables. He almost exclusively uses Rubio monocoat, but then covers it with a ceramic-like nano coating. Overall, I really like Rubio, but it’s very expensive and I’m realizing it’s not as protective as something like tung oil.
Wow! Great review and testing of the most popular hard wax oil comparison. Your performance was close to scientific evaluation as you can get. Thank you for this valuable information. I'm retired and disabled hobbyist and diy woodworker who has been previously influenced by popular TH-cam channel providers, who usually didn't explain their affiliation with product sponsors. I have learned not to take every influencers' recommendation on products and second to do your own research. Now that the "Old Dogs" have gotten matched up we should see nothing but improvements from these companies. I'm willing to try the "New Dogs" out on some of my products to see what feedback will be from my customers.
The King is Dead!
Thanks for putting in the grunt work to evaluate all of these new entries into the hardwax oil space. I've been particularly curious about the General Finishes offering, but it is good to see all of these examples put through their paces. After watching this I'll probably check out the Osmo... I've had good luck with the Polyx but have been missing the great sheen from a varnish, hopefully this two part option will hit both marks.
would love to see a durability test with the ceramic protection on top
I’d just use poly at at that point. Easier and significantly cheaper.
Durability testing should be real world use for a decade. Ceramic coatings work well on highly smooth surfaces like metal. I think unless you have a lacquer smooth surface, why bother?
Couldn’t come out at a better time, my Rubio just ran out. Going to try that natura now. I’ve had my eye on it for a while but hadn’t seen much about it. Thanks for a great vid
As a person who wants to go into research, the experiment set up is *chef's kiss*
Excellent, excellent video. Lots of work there, and it is most appreciated. Never heard of Natura, but I am definitely going to try it. Used Rubio in the past and was happy with it, but not happy with the short shelf life for the price. So may choices, so little time.
Absolutely phenomenal review.... Thorough, scientific and pleasing to watch/listen. Great work!
I like your reviews. Really feel objective without prejudice. You also take the time to explain the facts.
Thanks for this, Marc. As expected, you provided in-depth, thorough, exhaustive testing with "actionable" results. But using a CAT scanner is next level!
I just used Rubio for the first time a few weeks ago. I was happy with it. It goes a long way, easy to apply, looks great, and has no nasty smells. But the price is a bit much. Had I seen this video before buying it, I would have tried Natura instead.
I recently had a "rookie" shop error...I left a one use container of Rubio unsealed. It may have been a month in between projects and when I went to finish my epoxy infilled live edge ash computer desk...I had only hardened finish. Ticked off at myself...I went on Amazon and for the first time saw @NaturaOnecoat listing for a good deal less than my standby Rubio. So, I bought it. My Ash project finished very similarly to my other Rubio projects...so, I was satisfied. I did not do side by side comparisons. You made my day giving the overall winner to Natura. I feel better now about my mistake...because I don't know if I would have ever switched. Many thanks!
Please post a link to the spreadsheet. Thanks and great video!
As a woodshop teacher from jersey I love the shirt! Pork roll > Taylor ham!!!
ive only bought the smaller rubio 2c I really liked it. but, it is nice to see other comparable options.
Am running almost out of Rubio, ordered the Natura at almost half the cost and will give it a go!
Awesome video! I love the in-depth and unbiased approach you take to get the best results in your tests! I think I speak for most when I say these videos are super helpful and I truly appreciate you doing the types of test I’d want to do, to find the best product given the time, recourses, finances etc!
I found this sort of video quite interesting. I think it's the scientists in me liking the way you go through the data. Thanks, Marc.
The presentation, options, testing decisions, and all made this VERY interesting and enjoyable to watch. So interesting and enjoyable that I could ignore the inserts and sounds. Your scientific background shows through in the best of ways. Congrats!
Wow that was just the best analysis of these finishes probably ever put on TH-cam. Very thorough, fair and honest. I’ll go back to this more than once in the future. I have to say that the Rubio hype was always sort of suspect to me.
I love the effort that went into this video. I have always used 2 coats of Rubio on projects that are not handled much: picture frames/floating shelves/ect. When it comes to furniture though Matt Cremonas 5 coats of general finish armor seal is awesome. I'm not even bothered that its not as "serviceable" as other finishes.
Relating to something important mentioned in this video, I always bring up durability when talking about different species of wood to clients. If a client has kids and wants a dining table made out of a wood that doesn't stand up to wear and tear, I really try to ask them what they like about the species and find a comparable one. The Wood species and use always dictates what finish I use.
Thanks, especially for the repair test. Price is painful if using precolor, monocoat, and sheen enhancer. $211 for 350ml of each.
I'm only a few minutes in to the video so far and 1). I'd not heard of most of these, even though I regularly visit my local Woodcraft and hard wood dealers. 2) I recently started buying Osmo (the non-hardener mix type) because I simply can NOT find Rubio anywhere locally, 3) checking Amazon I can many of these same day or next day, whereas I can't get Rubio in anything less than a week. Thank you for highlighting some of these even though I haven't gotten to the results yet. I've been frustrated with the lack of Rubio locally, and was worried (until I tried it) that the Osmo without the hardener wasn't going to cure or be workable/packable quickly enough. I was wrong. Thanks, Marc.
I love that you included the "Cat Scan" for optimum results! :)
Great comparison. Your conclusions regarding Rubio echo what I've been saying for about a year now.
Great video, Marc, as usual. But this one if more useful than any other, all youtubers put together, although Mr Lincoln St. did a very good one as well. Keep on informing us in such a good manner. Thanks
Thanks for this. Always good to see an "underdog" do well, and it is frustrating to see a "market leader" was just "marketed" better.
Thanks Marc! About to purchase my first can of Natura.
Raised on Taylor's Pork Roll. Philly & Jersey Shore! Great comparison of the hard wax oils.
thanks for the great video! I didn't even realize there was anything besides Rubio and Odie's Oil. Glad to know there are good alternatives.
For people in The Netherlands, or wherever the big orange DIY Superstore lives, Hornbach, they do their own hard-wax oil (and a whole series of finishing products). And it's pretty great, and relatively cheap.
Helemaal eens!
Such a thorough test. Bravo and keep up the amazing work
This was a well thought out and thorough examination. From a small
Shop near Detroit Michigan, I appreciate you doing this test. I have used Rubio a handful of times but haven’t used these other products. Lately I have been using Odie’s oil. Not because I am pushing it, but my customers have been selecting it when looking at samples. I would love to see your findings testing that product agains other finishes to see what you find.
I was thinking of buying Rubio for outdoor furniture (with UV protection) but now I will look into it in case there are other brands I don't know about. It's so pricy in Canada!
I think Rubio has some new products and some small changes in the last year. Rubio now has a sheen enhancer called “Sheen Plus.” The smaller can is now 390 ml rather than 350 ml for $59. Sheen Plus is on my list to try out.
Great comparison. I’ve worked both as a wood flooring manufacturer and as a carpenter and furniture maker,for more than 35 years. Hard wax oils are a game changer. In the flooring business going from a film finish to HWOil changed everything. We started with Osmo but now use a product called Saicos. We use different methods of application;conveyer uv drying,spray,and wipe on. Both companies are German (I think). Although prices may seem high a little goes along way. Error on the less side. To much will look awful. Second and third coats require even smaller amounts. I have to say that I still prefer linseed oil and a lacquer top coat. Just old school I guess. Huge PS,dispose of applicators in water just like oil rags. Cheers
Thank you for the informative comparison!
Novice woodworker here. Wow talk about in-depth deep dive review. Appreciate your head down perfectionist review.
Excellent video. Thorough, friendly, concise
Very useful product evaluation. I feel that your testing and analysis give me the confidence to try one of these finishes and not be surprised by the results.
This was very informative. I don’t know how does this financially impact you, but having no sponsorship brings the trust level up a couple of notches. Keep the good work!