Can I wax polish bare/raw unfinished wood?
Yes you can, If you are looking for a wax only finish. I do understand that a natural wax only finish has a unique look and feel to it but I must say that this is not a finish that I actively promote very much. If you set on this then this is the way I would approach a ‘wax only’ finish on new wood:
- Sand the wood up through the sandpaper grades, From 180, 240 up to 320 grit. This will help when applying the wax. Having a fine sanded surface will prevent too much of the wax being absorbed forcing it to sit on the surface.
- Quite a few applications may be necessary to achieve your desired look but be patient and wait a week* in between coats. *The wax now needs to dry hard on the surface, applying one coat after another in very quick succession will more than likely end up with a patchy soft finish.
With my professional hat on I would always recommend sealing the wood prior to waxing it. with Gilboys beeswax polish. You will achieve a far better durable finish that will give longer lasting protection. I’ll explain a few ways of achieving a waxed looking finish with a sealer underneath it to give better protection but still look like a waxed finish.. A very easy and fast way of doing this is by using a “sanding sealer” (This is the generic name of the product)
- Apply one single coat with a brush or cloth and wait for it to dry. Not very long, an hour or so in warm conditions.
- Lightly sand it smooth (320 grit sandpaper) and vacuum off the dust
- Apply a coat of wax, or you can give it a second application of sanding sealer and then wax it.
In the french polishing world this is called a “dry shine” It was one of the first finishes I was introduced to as an apprentice. The positive of using a sanding sealer is that it is very quick to dry, The negatives are that it can be quite smelly during the application process and it doesn't have much protection when water is spilled on it. So it's fine for use on non horizontal surfaces that aren't subject to daily use. A second, and I feel a much much better way of creating a protective wax finish, is by using it in combination with a hard wax oil.
Creating a durable waxed finish with hard wax oil & Gilboys Gold beeswax polish
Hard wax oil finishes have really come on in recent years and I really like the way they produce a lovely hardwearing, easy to apply and natural looking finish. Combined with Gilboys beeswax polish, it's an almost perfect wax finish which most people can achieve with no necessary experience in wood finishing.You can see me demonstrating how you can do it in the video below… There are many other ways of finishing wood but the processes I talk about here should be easy enough for anyone wanting to try their first hand at creating a nice waxed finish.
As someone deeply entrenched in woodworking and finishing techniques, I've explored various methods to achieve stunning finishes on raw wood. The provided passage covers a spectrum of approaches from using natural wax alone to combining it with sealers like sanding sealants or hard wax oils for added protection and durability.
Wax-only finishes on raw wood require meticulous sanding through varying grit levels to create a smooth surface that minimizes wax absorption. The recommendation for waiting between wax coats allows each layer to properly dry, preventing an uneven or tacky finish. While this approach might offer a distinct look, it lacks the durability and long-lasting protection of sealed finishes.
The article suggests employing a sealant like Gilboys beeswax polish before waxing, advocating for its enhanced durability and longevity. Utilizing a sanding sealer as a base coat before waxing, known as a "dry shine," provides a quicker option but sacrifices water resistance.
However, the recommended method involves combining hard wax oil with beeswax polish for a robust and visually pleasing finish. This approach not only enhances durability but also simplifies the process for beginners, allowing them to achieve a high-quality waxed finish without extensive expertise in wood finishing.
The article aims to demystify the process of achieving a waxed finish while emphasizing the importance of surface preparation, choice of finishing products, and the advantages of combining different treatments for optimal results.
