Waxing wood
Wax provides another option for finishing bare wood in the home. The products available range from the natural waxes through to synthetic varieties, and there are also a number of different colours to suit different tastes. Traditionally, wax is applied with a cloth, but it is now possible to buy types designed to be applied by brush. Wood surfaces must be completely stripped of all other coatings before wax is applied.
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1. Fill any holes using a suitable wood filler and, when dry, sand the entire surface smooth with medium grade sandpaper followed by a fine grade. |
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2. Apply a scoop of wax using a soft cloth, working it into the  grain until no smears of wax are left. Try to apply as even a coat as possible. |
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3. If you are using a brushing wax, apply the wax with a paintbrush. Make sure that it is well brushed into the wood. |
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4. Once the wax is dry, but not fully hardened, use a clean soft cloth to buff off the surface. This will remove any excess and provide a smooth finish. |
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5. As an alternative to using a soft cloth, you may also use a fine grade of steel wool to buff the finish. Only use steel wool if specified by the manufacturer. |
Waxing wood tips
- Take care when choosing a filler for the wood, before applying the wax. Some fillers are coloured and are therefore camouflaged by a similarly coloured finish. Others can accept colour when the finish is applied over them.
- Waxes can generally not be applied outside.
- The more coats you apply off a wax, the greater depth of finish will be achieved.
