How often should you wax wood furniture?
You'll need to wax your furniture at least every six months to nourish the wood and form a lasting protective seal. It's really worth taking the time to do this as it can really help your furniture last a lifetime. Waxing protects the grain, makes the wood crack resistant, and keeps any finish in its best condition.
- Difficult to remove. Although wax is easy to apply to a floor, it is pretty difficult to remove. ...
- Natural wax finishes are not as persistent as Polyurethane. ...
- Wax is not suitable for all types of flooring. ...
- You need to apply it by hand.
Wax finish is a traditional finishing material. It does not give a lot of protection for the substrate underneath. It will give a smooth surface, and can reduce the scratches possibility but it cannot stay for a long time. After about a year the wax will be gone, and wax needs to be applied to the surface again.
It doesn't take too much maintenance, but if you want your furniture looking in its best condition, you should apply a new coat of wax every year or so. Now for the downsides – wax is notoriously difficult to remove. If you need to take off a layer, it can take a lot of elbow grease and sanding to remove the sheen.
Oiling is the easy go-to, particularly if you don't require any sort of sheen. There is no mechanical protection offered in the way waxes do but it's so easy to apply and quick to penetrate. Oiling is brilliant for timber with carved detail or rougher timber as waxes tend to get caught in rogue fibres.
Durability: Polyurethane is a hard, durable finish that will protect your furniture from wear and tear. The wax on the other hand, offers less protection as it wears off over time. Maintenance: Wax requires regular upkeep as it requires reapplication every few months.
Paste wax can be applied directly over prepared bare or stained wood; thinned shellac is recommended as a sealer coat. Sealer stains should be applied directly over prepared bare wood; no other sealer is required. Open-grained woods should be filled before a wax finish is applied; any paste filler is compatible.
Avoid wet-mopping floors with water and using household cleaners, as this can strip the wax coat off or damage the wood. To keep dust at bay before it dulls the finish, dry mop waxed floors as often as necessary with a microfiber cloth pad or vacuum-clean with a dust brush attachment.
You can apply wax over any other finish and it will give the surface a soft sheen and smooth feel, but don't put other finishes over wax.
Wax finishes are easy to distinguish due to the way they react to water. It is easy to mark them with water spills. In an inconspicuous area, corner or behind a door, apply two (2) drops of water. If within ten minutes, white spots appear under the drops of water, the floor has a wax finish.
How many coats of wax on wood furniture?
If you're covering painted furniture, you may not want to apply another coat, which could make the furniture even shinier. If you're covering unfinished furniture, plan on applying a total of 3 layers, but remember to buff the wax between each application.
Can I wax polish bare/raw unfinished wood? Yes you can, If you are looking for a wax only finish. I do understand that a natural wax only finish has a unique look and feel to it but I must say that this is not a finish that I actively promote very much.
Many woodworkers turn to oil and wax finishes for their first attempt at finishing, and for good reason. They are easy to apply, give almost foolproof results, require no applicators beyond a rag and leave wood looking both rich and natural.
Those in the latter camp must content themselves with the fact that finishes of any type – poly, shellac, lacquer, wax – all change the wood's appearance. While they accentuate the grain and beauty of the wood, they also darken and deepen its color. This is usually a good thing.
Advantages of Wax for Wood
The smooth feel on wooden surfaces makes wood waxes pleasant for use on furniture that's used a lot, and since it sits atop the wood rather than absorbing into the surface, it keeps the look of your piece natural and highlights interesting wood grain features.
