How To Wax Furniture and Projects
I get the most questions about painting furniture. It seems daunting, but once you know a few tricks you can tackle some projects yourself without fear. I’ve shared how to make your own chalky paint, how to spray paint and even a tool that helps with all of these. Now I am showing you how to finish off your painted furniture or craft project like a pro with a wax finish.
To add the finishing touch to all my furniture makeovers and most of my painted craft projects I seal them with a paste type wax. It adds an egg shell sheen and makes a piece look professionally finished versus homemade. Wax finish also provides a protective barrier to your piece to help the paint withstand wear and tear. The left stool is un-waxed the right is finished. 
It’s hard to show the difference in photos of what a wax finish will do for your furniture. This pic helps you see the difference. The first candlestick is waxed and buffed, the second is distressed with NO wax and the third is freshly painted with chalky paint NO distressing. 
Remember less is more, you can always add more if needed! 
Here are a few Supplies that will aid you in finishing your project…
Furniture Waxing Supplies:
paste type wax
wax brush
soft cloth
to antique:
dark wax
steel wool
Please let me know if you have additional questions! Hope this tutorial helps you have the confidence to tackle those projects you’ve been putting off! Don’t forget to save these tips for later! Have a great day.
Can you tell me exactly what kind of wax you use? What brand? You convinced me to wax the cabinets that I recently painted. Thank you.
yes – I use Annie Sloan, but mainly because it was the first one I tried and the can lasts a long time, so I bought it again. There are other good ones available like Miss Mustard Seed or even a Minwax paste if you only have a local hardware store available. You can order online and I have an affiliate link above that will lead you to some good ones! Hope that helps. It would be good for you to seal the cabinets since they are such a high traffic place.
I have tried steel wool and it left grey marks everywhere. What am I doing wrong?
Did you clear wax first? Are you getting the steel wool wet? If so, don’t. I think using clear way first and then layering the antique wax on and lightly wiping is the key. You also don’t want to use the steel wool with just the clear wax or I imagine it will leave a residue. Only use it in the areas you are rubbing in the dark wax. Also are you using a super fine steel wool? Maybe if it is not fine enough it will leave a mark? I’ve never had that problem, so I hope one of these ideas helps!
Inspiring!
I thought you might like this one!
Very informative and helpful! Have never seen a tutorial on waxing!!! Thanks
It’s super simple, but if you’ve never seen it done it seems intimidating. Hope this is helpful to folks!
Hi Kim…may I just add that for people who have never worked with waxes, make sure you’re using it over milk/chalk paint only and not over any kind of latex paints…or it will not absorb and it just sits on top of your furniture pieces and always looks smeared!!
Ask me how I know!!
hmmm…interesting, I have never had that problem and have used on a variety of paints. I also make most of my chalky paint from latex paints. Was it a high gloss latex? I will have to play around with that combo some more! Thanks for the heads up!
Hi Kim, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I have been using your chalk paint recipe on numerous furniture pieces and wasn’t accomplishing your look and now I know why!!!!! Not waxing properly!!! Oh my, I need to get a brush! Again, thanks for your tutorial and video. Blessings and smiles, Emilou ???? (p.s. I read your previous post and trying to comment more, enjoy your day????)
Thanks Emilou, I am so glad this helped, lots of people have questions about this step – it’s really easy and adds a huge impact! Let me know if you have any questions!
Is it possible to send you a pic of my small breakfast table and two ladder back chairs that I have a question about?
of course!
I read on here you can use protrolium ( Vaseline) jelly over regular latex paint instead of pricey wax. Is that true? Thank a bunch!
Hey, I have never heard that or tried it, I don’t think so, I know you can use it on furniture BEFORE you paint by putting it on a few spots where you want the furniture to look distressed then painting and wiping off the wax. The paint won’t stick to those parts so you get a natural looking distress. Other than that I am unfamiliar with another use for Vaseline and furniture!
This is terrific, thanks so much for the demonstration! Your tutorial makes waxing much less intimidating. 🙂
yay – I was super nervous when I first started too, it seems like a big deal but is really simple and makes a huge difference!
Good morning, I would like to find out what brand of waxing brush you use. I’ve used a few different kinds and they seem to shed their bristles.
Thank you
Hey Vickie –
yes i have found that many round brushes shed over time. I think it is the nature of the shape and construction. I use this brush and it has held up well though, hope it helps!
Thank you