Oils & Waxes

Odies Oil is formulated from naturally derived oils and waxes and is food safe once fully cured. It is suitable for cutting boards, serving boards, wooden utensils, and countertops that come into contact with food. Unlike some oils that can go rancid, Odies Oil does not contain linseed oil and remains stable in the wood.

Penetrating oil soaks into the wood fiber and hardens inside it, providing moisture resistance and enhancing color and grain without a surface film. Wax sits on the surface as a sacrificial protective layer that polishes to a sheen and is easily refreshed or removed. Many finishers combine both: oil for penetrating protection, wax for the final surface polish and sheen.

Apply Odies Oil liberally with a lint-free cloth or your bare hands, working it into the wood surface. Allow it to penetrate for 20–30 minutes, then buff off all excess with a clean, dry cloth. The finish cures to a hard surface over 24–72 hours. A second application after the first coat is fully cured deepens the protection and sheen.

Penetrating oils and most waxes will not penetrate through a hard film finish like polyurethane — they will sit on the surface and eventually rub off without providing real protection. For a wax-finished look on an existing piece, the film finish needs to be stripped or sanded back to bare wood first, or you can apply a paste wax topcoat for light surface protection only.

Liberon Black Bison Wax is a traditional French paste wax formulated with carnauba and beeswax for long-lasting protection and a rich, low-sheen polish. It is particularly effective on antique and dark-toned hardwoods like walnut, mahogany, and ebonized oak, where it adds depth without an artificial plastic look.

On furniture that receives regular handling and use, a maintenance coat of paste wax once or twice a year is typically sufficient to maintain protection and sheen. Wax will wear faster in high-traffic areas like table surfaces and chair arms. Between full applications, buff the surface with a soft cloth to revive the sheen without adding a fresh coat.

Yes — Odies Oil can be applied over a penetrating stain as long as the stain does not have a heavy film former. Apply the stain, allow it to cure fully, and then apply Odies Oil to add protection and sheen. Avoid using it over hard film topcoats (lacquer, poly) where penetration is blocked. Our Oil-Based Stains are fully compatible as a base before Odies Oil.

Liberon Liming Wax is a white-pigmented wax used on open-grain hardwoods — primarily oak — to fill the grain pores with white pigment for a bleached, whitened effect that contrasts with the darker wood body. Wire-brush the open grain first to maximize pore opening, apply the liming wax, press it in across the grain with steel wool, then wipe off the excess leaving pigment in the pores.

Paste wax is compatible with cured oil-based finishes, shellac, and oil/wax finishes. However, wax applied over an uncured oil finish can interfere with full cure. Avoid waxing surfaces that will later receive another coat of film finish, as wax prevents adhesion. If you need to add a coat of poly over a waxed surface, strip the wax fully with mineral spirits first and allow to dry.

Yes — the Odie's Oil 5-Piece Complete Wood Finishing Kit includes everything you need to get started: the oil itself, wood butter, applicator cloths, and cleaning solvent. It's an ideal starting point for woodworkers new to natural oil finishing who want a curated, compatible set of products. Visit our Quality Guarantee page for our return policy.