Waxing

One of the nicest finishes for your projects is beeswax. This finish is ideal for any indoor project and has the great advantage of allowing the wood to nicely darken with age.

Waxing should not be used for any project that requires a degree of water resistance, such as for kitchen or bathroom related projects. Instead, varnishing should be used here.

Beeswax is available at almost any hardware store and is simple to apply. However, it is often a good idea to seal the wood prior to waxing, especially on softer woods such as pine.

To seal the wood correctly you should use a pre-wax sealant. Again, this should be sold in most hardware stores. Once you have rubbed a coating of sealer onto the wood, allow it to dry for 30 minutes. Then, use wire wool to lightly work over the entire surface to roughen it slightly.

Once this is done, you may add the wax. Apply the wax to the wood using a lint-free cloth, and leave to dry for at least 15 minutes. Then buff the wood, using a clean cloth, until a suitable shine is achieved. It is recommended that at least two applications of wax are used, even though many waxes claim that only one is required. The result will be a far better finish that will last far longer.

Note: Waxed surfaces will need to be re-waxed every now and then (typically once every six months), in order to maintain the true finish.