Beginner Waxing Tips

When I got started with chalk paint, the whole waxing process really scared me. Mostly, I was afraid that I would ruin a piece of furniture and waste some valuable chalk paint in the process. But I didn't want to be stuck with poly coats for eternity, so I decided that I better start experimenting with wax. Here are some tidbits about using wax that I've learned so far...and, I haven't ruined anything so far!

So, why the heck did I even want to use wax? 

1.  Furniture painted with chalk paint should be finished with some kind of protective coat. Water based polyurethane is excellent for furniture that is going to get a lot of use but sometimes you want a finish to look a little different that the satin coat you get with poly. 2. Chalk paint colors are enhanced with wax, which leaves your furniture with a little more depth and richness to the color. 3.Waxed furniture feels good- seriously it makes you want to run your hand along it as you pass by. This may sound silly, but its the true. 4. I can choose a clear, dark or mix my own colors into wax  to achieve different looks and aging. 5. The sheen on wax is more subtle than poly and I really like a matte look.

Waxing Tips

If you are just starting, pick something really small to begin with. Think picture frame, lamp or small jewelry box. There are about a million posts out there on wax brands but I recommend starting with something cheap like Fiddes & Sons to begin with. When you feel more comfortable, you can always splurge on the high end brands like Annie Sloan or Cece Caldwell. Although I use many different products, I really love CeCe Caldwell's clear wax because it goes on like butter and has no harsh odor. 

When you are doing a small piece or detail work,  you can just use a rag to rub the wax in. If you are doing a larger piece, you might want to purchase a waxing brush. Apply a thin layer of wax and work in small sections; wipe off excess wax after applying. I wipe off with cut up t-shirts. You may start to see the finish shine up a bit. I leave the piece until the next day and buff the furniture once more. Here is a shot of clear wax on the left side of the table BEFORE wiping any wax away.

OK,and on the left side here, you can see where I wiped off the excess and a bit of shine is coming through.

You will need to apply at least 2 light coats of wax to your piece. If you are planning to use dark wax on a piece, apply a clear coat of wax FIRST. This will allow you to have more control of how dark you want your piece to be. I can post more on that later along with some other tips. Try not to get overwhelmed by reading a bunch of DIY posts before working just,jump right in and experiment! Then go back and read some more before starting your next project.  Post a picture of your waxing project in the comments below!!

Too Much Wax? Feels sticky?
I've done this before, including this piece above. when I added dark wax. No worries. I used mineral spirits on a rag and ran it over my piece lightly. Then I used a clean, lint free rag and wiped the extra wax off. After that, I added a very thin coat of wax to finish. If this doesn't help, you can always sand down lightly, repaint and re-wax. As I said earlier, its pretty hard to completely ruin a piece. Chalk paint and wax are pretty forgiving materials.