How to Finish Wood Furniture
Finish Wood Furniture in High Traffic Areas – Clear Coat
High Traffic Areas include chairs, living room end tables, kitchen cabinets, etc.
- To finish wood furniture in high traffic areas, a clear coat is recommended.
- Allow piece to dry completely before applying clear coat.
- Before using, stir thoroughly.
- Be sure surface is free of dust.
- Apply evenly with a brush, working in the direction of the grain of the wood.
- After it dries, sand lightly.
- Remove all the sanding dust and then apply a second coat.
- For added durability as you finish wood furniture, a third coat can be applied.
*A clear coat may cause yellowing. Yellowing can occur from the stain and dyes in the previous finish bleeding through. Properly preparing the piece, priming, and/or a darker color paint most often will correct bleed through.
Low Traffic Areas – Clear Wax
Low Traffic Areas include mirror and picture frames, light-use shelves, etc.
- To finish wood furniture in low traffic areas, a wax can be used.
- Allow piece to dry completely before applying wax.
- Be sure surface is free of dust.
- Apply a thin even coat of wax with a clean cotton cloth, sponge or brush in the direction of the wood grain where possible.
- Let sit for up to 5 minutes.
- Lightly remove any excess wax with a separate, clean absorbent cloth, following the direction of the grain.
- As you wrap things up and finish wood furniture, allow to dry for 3 minutes and buff with a soft cloth.
Low Traffic Areas – Dark Wax
Low Traffic Areas include mirror and picture frames, light-use shelves, etc.
- To finish wood furniture in low traffic areas, a wax can be used.
- Allow piece to dry completely before applying wax.
- Be sure surface is free of dust.
- Apply a thin even coat of wax with a clean cotton cloth, sponge or brush in the direction of the wood grain where possible.
- If waxing over a light colored paint, apply a layer of clear wax first and allow to dry. This will prevent the dark wax from staining the paint.
- As you finish wood furniture and if you are going for a darker piece, apply the dark wax directly.
- Let sit for up to 5 minutes.
- Lightly remove any excess wax with a separate, clean absorbent cloth, following the direction of the grain.
- Allow to dry for 3 minutes and buff with a soft cloth.
How do you determine if you should use tge regular or the dark wax?
Great question! You determine which wax by the look that you are going for. If you want to darken the finish, then use the dark wax directly. If you want a medium dark look, apply the clear followed by the dark.
When applying a clear coat, you indicate to lightly sand (twice, inbetween costs) won’t that remove the painted color underneath? I don’t care for the Shabby chic…
Hi Angie,
It won’t as long as you lightly sand. The reason you lightly sand is to give the next coat something to adhere too.
Emily