Why Use A Wax Finish?

So you just finished painting your project, what next?  If you’ve used Amy Howard’s Chalk Based Paint there is no need for any type of finish.  It is durable, won’t wash off with liquid or water but their are some options to enhance the finish and look of your piece.

We recommend adding a wax finish to your project. Wax will add an extra layer of protection that will keep your piece looking fresh and clean longer.  Should wine, water or other liquids be spilled on the piece they will bead up much like rain on your car making them easy to wipe up.

They add to the look of the piece.  Chalk-based paint is dead flat and dead flat paints can be easily bruised.  When you add a wax finish to the One Step Paint it will give it a sheen and it will protect the paint from bruising.

How to Choose a Wax Finish

Depending on the type of wax finish you use, you can change the look of the piece.

Clear Wax

Clear wax will add a simple and clean shine to your final product.

Light Antique Wax

Light Antique wax is a mixture of beeswax and carnuba wax.  This is a great combination because the beeswax adds a rich glow and Carnuba wax hardens to a durable finish. Light Antique Wax will give a slight dark tint to your painted piece to help you achieve a more realistic, antique look.

Dark Antique Wax

Dark Antique wax is used to add age to a piece. But when you try to use Dark Antique Wax by itself it will cling to the surface and overcome the beauty of One Step. It should only be used with a thin coat of Light Antique wax first.

Liming Wax

If you are looking for a hand worn look, being able to see white wearing through the surface then Liming Wax is the best choice.  Liming wax is a mixture of chalk and wax that leaves a white hand-rubbed glow on the surface of One Step Paint.  It really pops when brushed onto the darker colors of paint.

All of these wax finishes (clear wax, Light Antique wax, Dark Antique wax and Liming wax) look most natural and attractive when brushed on to the paint surface.

Other Wax Finishes

If you would prefer not to brush on your wax, there are two new options:  Cerusing wax and Mind Your Own Beeswax.  Both of these waxes are softer and are made to be rubbed onto the finish.  They come in a squeeze bottle and can be added to a lint free rag and spread across the paint surface.  Rub them in and buff them out.  They leave a different finish and present a modern look in comparison to the antique look of brushed on wax.

Great Things About Wax Finishes

One great property of One Step Paint (Chalk Based Paint) and Dust of Ages with wax is both of them will settle into the wax and adhere to the finish.  When you apply Dust of Ages you would think it will rub off. Instead, Dust and wax bond together, so after the wax cures it does not rub off easily.  This same process happens after wax is applied to One Step Paint and it cures.

Things to Remember About Wax Finishes

One Step Paint does not adhere well to wax.  If you don’t like the color or want to repaint a waxed surface, clean it well with Clean Slate then you are ready to paint.

The second thing to consider is the use of the surface.  If you are applying wax to a heavily used area, such as kitchen cabinets or a breakfast bar area, you may want to consider applying the Gloss or Matte Sealer. These sealers are more durable and easy to clean than the waxes.  In high use, frequently cleaned areas like these, you may need to reapply the wax more often to keep the surface well protected.

Waxes have much more great potential and in future posts we will go further with information on using Dust of Ages and Mica Powders with wax to create rich and luxurious trim and accents.

In the mean time, check out this video, which goes into more detail on how to apply your wax finish!

Want to save this information for later? Don’t forget to pin!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save