General Finishes prefers top coats over waxes for durability and performance reasons. General Finishes High Performance Top Coat, and Glaze Effects to compliment the Milk Paints. You can also two tone the top with a Gel stain – see Chrissie’s Collection page for some fine examples.
In this post
Can you put top coat over wax?
You don’t have to wax or clear coat beforehand, of course you can but you don’t need to. If applying Clear Coat over the wax, make sure that your wax is dry. Check to see if the wax is tacky or sticky before applying Clear Coat for added protection!
What finish can be applied over wax?
You can apply wax over any other finish and it will give the surface a soft sheen and smooth feel, but don’t put other finishes over wax. To apply liquid or paste wax, simply rub it on and wipe it off.
Can you put clear varnish over wax?
Wax can be applied over almost any other wood finish including stain, oil, varnish and paint. Although we do always recommend a test area to ensure that you are happy with the result.
Can you put wood stain over wax?
Wood wax can also be applied over almost every other finish such as paint, varnish, oil and stain. But it’s not advisable to apply any other finish on top of the wax. This could potentially damage your wood and ruin the finish.
What happens if you put polyurethane over wax?
Can You Polyurethane Over Wax? Yes, you can use polyurethane over wax. However, it’s important to note that this will create a slightly different finish than if you were to apply polyurethane directly to wood. The final product will have a softer sheen and may be more susceptible to scratches and marks.
Is it better to use wax or polyurethane?
DURABILITY: Polycrylic hardens to a durable, wipeable finish and is good for high traffic pieces. Wax is only a semi-permanent finish and may never harden, making it better suited for show pieces. WEAR: Wax scratches and stains easily and will wear over time where poly has a much harder finish and is scratch resistant.
Can you gloss over wax?
Painting over waxed wood generally isn’t recommended. Unlike paint or clear finish, wax — even super-hard carnauba wax — never completely cures. The solvents in oil paint will soften it, leaving a tacky finish, and wax prevents water-based varnishes from bonding to the wood surface, causing eventual peeling.
How do you seal wax finish on wood?
Paste wax can be applied directly over prepared bare or stained wood; thinned shellac is recommended as a sealer coat. Sealer stains should be applied directly over prepared bare wood; no other sealer is required. Open-grained woods should be filled before a wax finish is applied; any paste filler is compatible.
Can I apply Polycrylic over wax?
If you’ve waxed your furniture and then decide you’d prefer a poly finish, remove the wax with mineral spirits (in a well ventilated area) before apply a water based poly. Otherwise, the wax tends to repel the poly and it ruins the finish or may be more work down the road.
Why would you use wax instead of varnish?
Furniture & Effect Wax provides a protective, water repellent finish which is clear. It dries to a matt finish but can be buffed to a gloss sheen, so you can choose your desired finish.
Can you put gel stain over wax?
Just let the Gel Stain dry 24-48 hours before applying the wax. Note: wax is not a durable product. It needs yearly reapplication, will show daily use (finger marks and smudges) and may be very difficult to remove if a future topcoat application is desired.
Does wax darken wood?
Those in the latter camp must content themselves with the fact that finishes of any type – poly, shellac, lacquer, wax – all change the wood’s appearance. While they accentuate the grain and beauty of the wood, they also darken and deepen its color. This is usually a good thing.
Can wax go polyurethane?
Polyurethane doesn’t need the extra protection, and applying wax may make the floor dangerously slippery. Moreover, you’ll probably have to strip the wax periodically because it tends to turn dull and yellow over time, and the wax will definitely have to come off before you sand and refinish.
Can you polyurethane over chalk paint and wax?
Yes, you can use polyurethane over chalk paint. Poly is very durable, inexpensive and watertight.
How long after polyurethane can I wax?
Should I Wax After Polyurethane? You should allow a polyurethane surface to fully cure before applying your furniture wax. This will take up to a month.
Can you paint over furniture that has been waxed?
The standard cure time to almost all paints and finishes is 30 days and that’s true of wax as well. Once it has cured, you can paint over it, which is a nice option if you’re someone who is fickle or perhaps you just like to change things up now and then.
Is wood wax waterproof?
Wax is great for drawing out the natural features of your wood, highlighting all the knots and bumps and colouring that makes your wood unique. Wax is waterproof, so it’s perfect for coffee tables and other pieces of furniture that see a lot of wear and tear.
Do you wax before clear coat?
Clear coats protect your paint, so you want to do everything you can to protect your clear coat. That’s where waxing comes in. Regular waxing is your best defense against clear coat damage.
Can you put clear wax over dark wax?
Just put a dab of clear wax on a rag and rub it over the area where the dark wax is too dark. If you really went crazy with the dark wax and you need to remove a lot of it, your best bet is probably just to sand it off.
Can you put a clear coat over chalk paint wax?
Applying a coat of clear wax over Chalk Paint® will deepen the colour of the paint and create a beautiful, matt finish. It will protect against fingermarks and stains. It’s also water-repellent, so you can wipe any marks away with a damp cloth.