7 most frequently asked questions about finishing furniture with wax

Interest in wax finishing furniture is very high and the questions received on this subject are very diverse. I've tried to make a selection of the most frequently asked questions, but I'm sure there are others I haven't received yet or haven't thought of yet. If you have such a question that is not answered below or in article on wax finishing, you can leave it in the comments box. I promise to reply and complete the article to find as many answers as possible in one place. And now to the answers.

1. Can I apply wax over varnish?

Yes. You can apply wax over almost any varnish, paint or oil. However, it is best to test compatibility on a more hidden area first. Modern synthetic waxes contain solvents that could attack the varnish layer. This happens very rarely, but it's best not to risk it. Wax is applied over varnish to protect it and add a nice silky sheen. On heavily used surfaces, such as wooden floors, the wax coating prolongs the life of the varnish and prevents scratching.

2. Does the old coating have to be removed before applying the new one?

It is not mandatory, it depends on the situation. If it is an old piece of furniture that is tarnished and dirty, then the wax layer should be removed (how to do this is described below). The wax is cleaned very well and then a new coat is applied. If, however, it is a refreshing of the wax layer because it has thinned or lost its shine, the wax can be applied over the old layer without any further preparation. To get the shine, polish with a soft cotton cloth or piece of felt after application.

3. Can be applied oil over wax?

No. Only wax can be applied over wax. Wax is the final coat and other finishing products do not adhere to the wax coat.

4. What are the advantages of wax finishing?

⊕ It's a great solution for refreshing old furniture. By applying a layer of wax over the varnish, which is then polished, the furniture acquires a pleasant tint and a beautiful natural sheen.

⊕ Can repair any small scratch or imperfection on the moblier. It's the easiest way to keep furniture in good condition.

⊕ Gives a matte mobile a glossy shine. To change the very matt appearance of the furniture you can apply 2-3 successive coats of wax with drying in between. After drying (at least 24 hours after the last coat has been applied), polishing can be done. If polishing machines and felt discs of different fineness are used, gloss levels of 60-70 can be achieved.

5. Can be antiqued the furniture you asked for?

Yes, with the help of coloured skies. The choice of shade or colour is made so that the effect is as believable and natural as possible. This wax effect looks great on opaque finished furniture in various colours. The wax is applied as usual with a cloth, after which the excess is wiped off and polishing is done. In hard-to-reach places, more wax will remain, giving a patina effect.

6. in what situations is wax finishing not recommended?

When varnish film on furniture it must have very good resistance to hot dry and wet sources and staining (with water, alcohol, coffee, etc). This is the case for bar, kitchen or dining table tops, furniture that is susceptible to cleaning with aggressive alcohol-based substances, furniture on which hot objects are placed. All these factors lead to softening, even dissolving wax, and not least to its removal from furniture. For such furniture, chemically hardening varnishes with very good resistance are recommended.

Another recommendation is not to apply wax over waterborne finishes. There is a risk that the solvents in the mixture will irreparably attack the varnish layer. However, this is not true for any waterborne finish, so it is best to test compatibility.

7. How can wax be removed? How do we know it has been removed?

No other type of finish (except wax) can be applied over wax because it has no adhesion. Wax must therefore be removed when changing the type of finish or when dirty and tarnished furniture needs to be completely redone.

If only the surface layer is to be removed, it shall be polishes very well after which the surface is wiped thoroughly with thinner. Sand until the varnish layer under the wax is reached. If traces of wax remain, the varnish will "slide" on them and cracks will appear in the film called "fish eye".

If wood has to be reached, sanding should be done with more aggressive equipment. The removal of the finish coat is checked by wiping the surface of the wood with a wet cloth. If the wood absorbs water and darkens, the finish has been completely removed. If water remains on the surface, sanding should be continued.

As I said at the beginning, if you have any other questions please leave them below. And if the article seems interesting to others, please feel free to share. Thank you!