If you are a newbie to this type of method, Minwax Paste has the ability to revive what was once worn without the tedious effort of removing the polyurethane layer. The opposite is true when the temperatures are lower, and the air is moist. Hi Chipper...if you've applied two coats of poly, I don't think you should need to put paste wax over it. My question is whether I should just leave it this way or apply a layer of paste wax (after brushing it over with some steel wool or fine sand paper to get off any of the few little bumps that are still left). Clear Wax will easily seal a project. Hope this helps. What are some of the precautionary measures you are supposed to take when working with a polyurethane formula? Varathane Classic Paste Finishing Wax protects and adds hand-rubbed luster to any stained, painted, or bare wood surface. Polyurethane is a unique finish that takes quite some time before it is ready. Re: Wax over Polyurethane? Can you apply a coat of polycrylic over a piece of furniture that has wax on it? 1) Lightly sand the wax off, apply another coat of paint and then poly. Picked it up for a song. Note: Wax does have some shortcomings, such as staining of surfaces. Then I forgot to sand and applied the third coat. Furthermore, wax does not last long on the surface compared to polyurethane. if you have used a wax finishing agent on your subject piece, it might not be a good idea to use polyurethane over it. Sep 6, 2017 - An FAQ I'm getting is whether to apply poly over wax or wax over poly? Would the same rule apply to water-based varnish? For subsequent coats, they lay over an existing layer of polyurethane; as a result, it will take longer to dry and cure. The top had a more soft feel to it and I felt like touching it was more allowed. Another topcoat wasn’t required, but I wanted a soft sheen and buttery feel that only comes with a waxed topcoat. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Wax is an oil-based paste that cures in 24 hours. No, not. I would not recommend using a water-based product over an oil-based wax. So, is polyurethane toxic? Especially great as a protective top coat over chalk and milk paint. – Though wax will always give you a beautiful, smooth,deep finish, and really enhance color or grain,water-based poly can be streaky and temperamental to put on with a brush (I prefer the spray). What are some of the precautionary measures you are supposed to take when working with a polyurethane formula? Kindly share your thoughts in the comment section below. Furniture Wax. Most, if not all, of the wax product that I have used, has no irritating or offensive smell like the ones I have encountered with the polyurethanes. It is a plastic coating which doesn't need moisturizing from a wax. Wax does great when used as a polish, and using it for the same purpose would be great. Shake Minwax® Wipe-On Poly container thoroughly before and during use to eliminate settling on the bottom of the can. wax-free shellac or experiment with stains to warm the color of the wood before applying the topcoats. Stripping wax is a tedious, time-consuming process. Lately, one of the most frequent questions I'm getting is whether to apply poly over wax or wax over poly? It would be best if you considered wax for wood as they are a healthier option considering that both the liquid and solid paste wax contain low levels of volatile organic compounds; this, therefore, makes them less toxic compared to polyurethane. You can also opt for Minwax polyurethane or Minwax polycrylic to work on the finishing. Otherwise, the wax tends to repel the poly and it ruins the finish or may be more work down the road. Let dry 2-3 hours. There really isn't any benefit to using wax on polyurethane other than appearance. I was at the poly stage of the process and so ready to be finished. My Favorite Paste Wax Minwax Furniture Paste Available in both a clear and a dark wax, ... You can, however, apply wax over poly! Sometimes I use the brush-on poly and sometimes the wipe-on poly. Copyright © 2020 Entri Ways • Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy. Wax does great when used as a polish, and using it for the same purpose would be great. If you have health-related complications that might be triggered by chemical fumes, then you should choose wax as your finish. Poly over Wax OR Wax over Poly? The rule of thumb requires that you first apply polyurethane and then use wax as the final topcoat to your piece of furniture. No, not. I find it’s easiest to brush it on using a good wax brush, then just wipe off any excess using a lint-free rag. Find this denim blue sideboard in our online shop. The temperature had dropped during the night. While it reminds me of that age-old question about the chicken and the egg, there is an actual answer and a few rules to the questions of wax over poly or poly over wax. In selecting which type of paint sealant to use, the … Wax should always be the final topcoat applied to a piece of furniture. It looked like I hadn’t done anything. It has long been my absolute favorite wax to work with–it has the consistency of softened butter, no nasty odor, and spreads so easily over your furniture. As a furniture painter, I’m constantly asked the question of whether you can apply wax over polyurethane or polyurethane over wax. It should be sealed as well as it needs to be. I applied a gloss polyurethane on my tabletop because it can be rubbed to any sheen from flat to semi-gloss. I knew wax wouldn't give it the protection it needed. Paste wax is best used as a polish over an existing finish such as lacquer, varnish, shellac, polyurethane or even oil finishes. 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