Wax finish on open grained timber

[marcus]

Hi,

I'm making a piece which I want to give a simple wax finish, and have a run into a problem. The piece is mostly in brown oak, and trying out the wax (this one http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Chestnut-Woodwax-19771.htm ) on an offcut I find that it is going into the open grain of the oak and leaving white deposits there which I can't get rid of. Looks dreadful!

I'm wondering whether if I buy one of the darker shades of the wax this will solve the problem without darkening the timber? Part of the point of using wax is I want to avoid the dramatic colour change you get with oil! Or is there a recipe for a clear wax polish which is properly transparent so won't show in the grain?

Or any other ideas? Basically I want a natural, low sheen finish which alters the colour and appearance of the timber as little as possible. It doesn't need to be highly protective. Using a grain filler would stop the problem with the wax in the grain but seem like total overkill, and I want to keep the open grained look.....

Thanks,

Marcus

 

[Paul Chapman]

I always use Liberon Black Bison wax - clear and coloured - and have never had problems with it drying white in open grain.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Shrubby]

Hello Marcus
I've had success using a stiffer brush to apply wax on oak. This stops the wax smearing into the open pores. Mine is a nylon structuring brush from Snowboard kinik - much larger than a nail brush but otherwise similar
Matt

 

[Chems]

Use a heat gun to soften the wax to help it go in.

 

[marcus]

Some good suggestions - thanks - I'll try all three!

Cheers

Marcus

 

[Mark Hancock]

Marcus

I had this problem when trying to wax burr wood until I saw the following technique.

Apply wax with a shoe brush, the 'bent' type are great.
Using the small shaving type Liberon brush, put a screw into the top, cut the screw head off and holding in a drill buff the work.

Works great

 

[Ironballs]

Have you tried using sanding sealer on a test piece to see what result that gives when waxed?

 

[Derek Willis.]

Seal first, and then apply with a very stiff brush, this should cure your problem.
derek.

 

[marcus]

Thank you, will try these suggestions out next week