The most frequent questions I got when restyling furniture centered around waxing.
Waxing should not be hard, it gives your surface the best protection, it doesn't yellow, and it's low maintenance when complete. If you're sweating while you're working with wax, you're doing it wrong.
Once you're finished with painting using mineral based, or other DIY paint, when can you wax? When the paint is fully dry. Drying time is affected by your technique, humidity, and temperature. Lightly painted pieces in dry, warm but not hot, weather can take as little as an hour. Heavily painted surfaces with lots of techniques, in hot and humid climates can take more time. If you're unsure, 24 hours should do it.
1) Rule to remember - More is definitely not better. You do not need gobs of wax on your brush. Put a small amount on the brush and do a small section. If you touch the freshly waxed section, it should feel just a little slippery.
2) Work small sections and over lap a tad as you go. If there's mineral spirits in the wax, it will soften the wax from the edge of the first part you did and help to blend it with the new section.
3) WIPE the wax off, but don't buff it. What's a wipe? Think of a messy diaper and push about as hard as you would to get that off. (Gross I know, but it's an analogy most can relate to - you wouldn't buff the baby)
4) A freshly waxed surface should feel slightly soft. NOT Slippery. If you see your finger marks, wipe more.
5) Apply two coats, one right after the other. Even the best are going to miss spots. Doing two coats while the wax is fresh ensures good coverage.
6) Want a better shine? Wait 24 hours and then buff with a cloth
7) Want a smooth shiny surface? That starts before you even apply the paint. If your surface is not smooth to begin with, it won't end that way. If you do have a smooth surface, apply the paint with a light hand, going with the grain, and sand with fine sandpaper in between coats. It won't look like a mega glossy finish when you're done, but it will have a really nice high shine.
8) A good rule is to ALWAYS put a clear wax finish on your indoor projects. if you live in a very hot and sunny area as I do, don't wax items you'll be putting outside.
Brush care:
Wash your brush with warm soapy (not too soapy) water. When finished, hold the handle end and give your wrist a good snap. (best to do that outside as a lot of water droplets will fly)
Then hang the brush up bristles down.
It's best to avoid using anything with bleach (chlorine) in it.
