Custom Waxes | Up Your Finishing Game

By Gene HowardMay 14, 2020

Learning how to properly apply wax can be very useful, whether it be for reproducing the look of antiques or simply creating a beautiful patina for your furniture.

You can add depth to your cabinetry or any surface you apply waxes on while adding another layer of protection for them too.

This tutorial will help you understand how to create three different types of custom waxes, using Amy Howard at Home products, which you can use for various rescue and restoration projects.

Step 1: Clean, Paint, and Divide

Clean the surface you are working on and cover it with two coats of One-Step Paint in Luxe Grey.

Use tape to divide your surface into four sections. You will use three sections to test different types of waxes. One section will feature just the base paint.

Step 2: Prepare Your Plate and Applicators

A Chinet paper plate is recommended for mixing your waxes in. It offers some amount of absorption that will help in loading and offloading your applicators. Avoid mixing your waxes in a coated paper plate or a ceramic plate.

You can apply your custom waxes using a lint-free rag or a natural bristle chip brush. Avoid using synthetic brushes. Afterward, you can clean wax off of your brushes using Clean Slate or paint thinner. Do not use soap and water.

Step 3: Section 1 - Wax with Dust of Ages

Mix two parts Mind Your Own Beeswax with one part Dust of Ages. This will give you a zinc-colored wax.

You can apply this wax with a lint-free rag and brush over it to create a striated look.

Step 4: Section 2 - Wax with One-Step Paint

Mix two parts Mind Your Own Beeswax and one part One-Step Paint in Black. You can use a lint-free rag, a brush, or both, to apply this wax. If it goes on too dark, you can use a 4/0 steel wool to thin it out.

This black wax is great for pieces with fluting and other types of trim. Note that you cannot use other types of paint - specifically, acrylic paint - in creating colored waxes.

Step 5: Section 3 - Use Cerusing Wax

The Amy Howard at Home Cerusing Wax is a white wax that can both be a glaze and a protectant.

Squeeze a small amount of Cerusing Wax on your surface. You can spread it over and coat your surface using a brush or a lint-free rag. The result will be a subtle and soft finish.

Some Reminders

It is important to reiterate that a wax is the last thing that you’re going to apply onto any piece you’re working on.

If you love restoring antiques, knowing which waxes and how much of them to use will come in handy. When restoring a vase, for instance, you can apply a black wax into its crevices to create better detail.

If you’re rescuing a drawer, avoid using too much wax by feathering it in from the edges instead of applying more.

With practice, you can achieve a beautiful and authentic look for every restoration project you embark on.

Start making your custom waxes now with these products from Amy Howard at Home:

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