We’re not talking about eyebrows and furry upper lips, here. No torture for beauty or blotchy skin. Just beautifully finished furniture with the perfect amount of shine.
It took me a while to “get” waxes. It seemed labor intensive and unnecessary. I just didn’t know the right way to use it and use it to my advantage.
The down side to working with oil based products is the cleanup. I don’t do mineral spirits. I’m just scared of things that I can’t put down the drain. So, I use a water-based, non-toxic product to wash the wax out of my brush.
I pour a small amount in a disposable bowl or cup…
…swish the brush around in the solution for about a minute…
…then shampoo the brush with soap and water. If any oily residue remains, it goes for another dip in the Krud Kutter pool.
One final shampoo and rinsing follows.
Shake the excess water from the brush and allow it to dry.
It may seem like this post should be last in the series, but I don’t want to show you how to wax a piece of furniture, you go do it and then you don’t have a product in your house that will clean your brush. I’m saving you from that “oh crap!” moment, of which I’ve had many in my DIY career. (Where, oh where was the blog world when I tried to use Mod Podge in place of gold leaf adhesive?)
If you have not waxed furniture, you are going to love how easy it is to apply and what a beautiful finish it gives to raw wood, stained wood and painted surfaces.
43 Responses
I just waxed my very first piece this weekend and I'm totally addicted. The finish is so beautiful. I didn't use a brush though so I'm curious and will be looking for your tutorial.
I waxed one of my nightstands, but I still don't like how it looks. It seems to collect dust more and the finish is clean and smooth like I thought it would be. I wonder if I did it wrong?
I am about to type the stranges comment I have ever left on someone's blog.
I {heart} waxing my furniture.
Ok, that was so weird!
But I do! It gives it such a fantastic finish. I use a specialty wax on mine that is getting harder and harder to find so I called the company and bought a case worried it would be discontinued. You should have heard them on the other end when I asked for a case of wax! I truly think they assume I am a total nut! But I don't care…my customers will *love* the finish on my furntiure!
Can't wait to read your post!
Mary
I can't wait for your tutorial. I love the finish it leaves, but have been afraid to try it.
Looking forward the the beginning of the waxing posts. The end post is very useful. Non toxic.
– Joy
That's me, thinking waxes are so much more labor-intensive! I can't wait to see how you do it. I always love a new product!
Kacey
I never knew about waxing furniture until Martha Stewart talked about it in her magazine and on her show. I thought it was strange until I saw the beautiful finish it created. I love your tutorials. The slipcover tutorial was great. I'm looking forward to the wax tutorial.
Ooo, I'm looking forward to this! I have been wanting to try waxing (furniture, of course) but have not done so yet. Do you think waxing would work for kitchen cabinets, or is it better to stick with polyerthane for them? I have an unfinished kitchen cabinet on order and will paint it, but not sure yet what to use for the finish. Thanks for all your great advice. I love the idea of using Krud Kutter for the clean-up. So smart. 🙂
Looking forward to it! 🙂
You are so generous to share all the tricks of the trade! Many would not do that. Thank you, Marian!
I can't wait for your tutorial. I love the finish it leaves, but have been afraid to try it.
I LOVE the waxed look – it's awesome! And I can't get over that Union Jack dresser. I must have it!
I've never waxed my furniture..but after reading this post i am gonna have to…looks awesome!
By the way…i LOVE the new look of your website!
looking forward to seeing how you do the wax. i've painted and sanded and used poly but i'd like to see the wax in action! susan
I can't wait to see this, I am just starting to refinish some furniture thanks to the blog world. I really appreciate all of the great advice you and other bloggers give. I hope some day to be able to do the same. I am so excited to see this!
Penny
Morning Marian,
When I paint canvas floorcloths, I always end with at least 3 coats of Johnson's Paste Wax. Gives a fabulous and durable finish. After a few years, I can do a light sanding and recoat the wax to make the floorcolth look new again. Great stuff!
I agree..I never use harsh chemicals to clean my brushes. I try to avoid all oil based products..have to protect the earth !
Have a good day
Janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
Hurry and post about the waxing….I just stripped and bleached my dining room table and need to finish the job. 😉
Hugs~
T
Waxing is the best for sure! It can't be replicated by any other product. Oh the gold leaf story must be a doosie!
This post is so practical and thoughtful –thank you. I am one of the Scared of the Wax World. So I am really paying attention.
oooooh, so your supposed to use a brush ??? I've just followed the instructions on the can … silly me. I know, that you would know better !
I have just started my blog, so i can share and play with all of my Blogger Heroes…
Thank you, thank you for teaching us all, and helping us to move our own mountains 🙂
Can't wait to see how to wax. I use darkening wax for aging, but I don't get the concept of waxing all over. I can't seem to get it right. Waiting, waiting…….
I love the finish when I use wax but the smell…. Is there a wax that doesn't knock you out with the smell?
I've never used wax and can't wait to hear more about it!
Is the paint you told us about the other day oil-based?
thanks!
Oh…I'm so excited to learn more!
I am glad your talking about the wax! I just ordered the chalk paint and wax, now I will know how to use it properly!
Excited to see what waxing can do!!!
I just finished my first *BIG* piece with wax! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the end result on a larger piece!!! Thanks for being a huge inspiration.
OMG I just found your blog and I have spent the last few hours here, forgetting dinner, the kids etc ;O) LOVE what you do – following you as I can't wait for more exciting updates from you.
Thanks
A xx
http://anyaadores.blogspot.com
I follow your blog because I love refinishing or re-painting furniture
and I like a finish that is not shiny. I have used Wax but I want to find out what exactly You use. I have been trying to figure out what is best to put over painted surfaces like tables that will get lots of use because of wiping it a lot after eating..Finding the Best finish to paint over water based paints is a question I have been asking lately. Can't wait to read all about the Wax treatment.
I can't wait to learn this. I've never used wax before but have been told it REALLY makes a piece look great.
I received the 4 prints I won from you and Amy. They are AWESOME and I'll post about them when I get my room all finished. Thanks again, dear one. I love them!
xo bj
I just did some waxing this year and I love it!! So much easier than a poly on the projects that I had!
You have said that you work fast but how long do you give your paint before you start working on it, then how long before waxing. I've been working on a dresser like yours this afternoon. Thanks! Jan
I'm in the wax camp, too. I usually use the rub on kind.
I haven't ever tried waxing before but knowing you did that to your guest room dresser (which as you know is my FAVORITE) I just may decide to be a little daring. =)
I can't wait! And, I think it was a great idea to post how to clean up first. I would have been one of those people saying, "Oh, crap…."
Fondly, Tami
thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com
This is so great, we need to refinish some furniture for my son's "big boy" room and I am totally going to try this!!
Thanks so much!
I'm ready to wax! Can hardly wait to learn your techniques!
I've got a few pieces anxiously waiting to be transformed but I have to wait a few weeks when my humble, yet functional workshop, is complete.
Thanx for sharing! Shelly
I use cooking/vegetable oil. I just pour a little on my brush if using oil paint. I swish it around in my hand, the oil delutes the oil base in the paint or stain. I then add some Dawn dish liquid and wash out all the oil. Works great every time.
I have a septic system so try not to use chemicals either.
Love my Minwax Paste Wax but I've only ever applied it with a rag. Seems this little grasshopper has a few things to learn. Looking forward to the rest of the series, especially Annie's waxes.
Like someone mentioned above, VERY nice of you to share so many ideas! We all appreciate it!
That's a product I'll have to try! I DO NOT like Mineral Spirits AT ALL!!! ARGG!
On a suggestion from a wood-working furniture making friend, who incidentally happens to be my BFF, I used stinkin' mineral spirits to clean my brushes. Did I buy the wrong brand perhaps? I don't know but that stuff is not all it's cracked up to be. I do like that it's odorless.
Hopefully our local paint store carries this Krud-Kutter stuff :))
Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Shanna
http://www.revampedfrenchmaison.com
Hi there, I just came by to tell you, I ordered some chalk paint, it came today and I could not wait to try it. I just did a short post on it!!~ I LOVE it, holy moly, best paint I ever worked with. Easy clean up too. I have lots more I want to paint. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Well, I'm gathering info in your archives – and I want to thank you SO much for the tip about Krud Kutter Brush Wash!!
Do you know a good sign that the foam brushes you're using are crap? When they fly off of the handle as you're painting furniture!!! Arrgghh!! The clean-up has been one reason I've hesitated of returning to regular brushes – so glad there's something water based AND non-toxic I can use!!