Paste wax is traditionally used to protect other finishes. However, in some situations it can be used to finish bare furniture. This application works best on hard, close-grained woods that have been sanded as smooth as possible.
A few waxes may have color added to be used on darer woods.
See Weekend Warrior: Applying Shellac for instructions on how to apply shellac to furniture if the furniture you plan to wax is not already sealed.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- No. 0000 steel wool
- Tack cloth
- Lint-free cloth pad
- Paste wax
- Thinned shellac (if wood is not already sealed)
Steps:
- When sealer is completely dry, rub the wood with No. OOOO steel wool along the grain. Thoroughly clean with the tack cloth.
- Sparingly apply paste wax with a lint-free cloth pad, rubbing in a circular motion for a even, thin coating. Work small areas at a time.
- Let the wax dry completely. Wipe surface firmly with clean cloth to remove excess. Polish the wax with a clean cloth until it shines.
- Apply at least one more coat of wax to complete the finish (polish each coat before applying more coats).