Wax Finishes were the only choice woodworkers had in days gone by and are still used today as well. As a matter of fact, "French Polish" was originally a wax finish applied with heat and then burnished with lots of elbow grease to a very high polish. If you've ever applied wax as your finish I'm sure it was a lot harder than you may have imagined.

Here are some pros and cons…

1. Simple to apply especially if you use my favorite, shoe polish.


2. Completely non-toxic after solvents have flashed.


3. In order to keep the surface in good condition just add another coat.


4. Overall a very dull appearance unless burnished to a high sheen.


5. Once applied, wax is very difficult to remove.


6. Protection of the wood surface is minimal.


7. Very difficult to apply to an unfinished wood surface.


8. Using solvents to remove wax tends to drive it further into the wood.


9. Sanding the surface will create heat also allowing the wax to penetrate further.


10. Scraping the wax off is by far the best removal option.

Alan can be reached directly via email c/o Alan Noel Furniture Refinishing at anoelfurniturere@bellsouth.net .You can also visit Alan's website by CLICKING HERE .

Visiting Atlanta? Attend one of Alan's upcoming highly informative Highland Woodworking wood finishing seminars:

Nov 9, 2016  French Polish Workshop
Nov 19, 2016  Finishing 101
Nov 30, 2016  Coloring Wood