Wax is used as a furniture polish, wood finish, and finish protector. Wax moisturizes and patinizes the wood and can be applied onto bare wood or preferably over a wood finish. Furniture wax gives a nice velvet appearance and accentuates the natural patina of the wood.

A wax finish is ideal for country style furniture such as oak or pine, where the timber needs feeding. Wax can be used over French polish, varnish, and oil finishes to create an extra barrier against damage from water, heat, and alcohol. Wax finishes are the easiest to repair and is achieved by simply rewaxing the affected area.

Try selecting a colored wax of the same color, or even slightly darker. When clear wax is applied over darker woods it typically stands out in cracks and cravings after it dries.

Wax application should be even, and in the same direction of the wood grain, no circles. For antiquing, press into and fill cracks, crevices, nicks, and worm holes. For carvings, a bristle brush works best.

On table tops, apply wax and then even off by wiping from end to end. Try to avoid leaving any stop and go marks. These will add to a lot of exhaustive buffing when wax has dried.

Let wax dry for as long as possible. A couple of hours, or overnight is best if time permits. If your applying a wax polish, then apply on the entire piece or set, before going back to buff.

Buff wax in the same direction of the wood grain, no circles. Finish off by buffing from end to end to avoid stop and go marks.

If buffing becomes too tiresome, use 0000 steel wool to start. This will help to remove the excess wax and cut down on the amount of drag. Finish off by buffing with a soft cloth.

Buff until desired sheen is achieved. If the sheen is too high, lightly wipe from end to end with 0000 steel wool to dull out.