When to Wax
Today wax is used to protect and
lubricate furniture finishes. A dull piece
of furniture can benefit from a good
waxing, but wax should only be applied
to finishes that are already waxed. You
can tell when a piece needs to be
waxed by the change in sheen; it will
appear dull and absorb light. A piece of
furniture that gets a lot of use such as
a kitchen table might need to be waxed
every month. In general, furniture with
wax finishes should get a fresh coat of
wax once a year.

When Not to Wax
If a piece of furniture is in need of
restoration and has many lifting sections
of veneer or damaged areas, wax can be
extremely detrimental. Wax that works
its way into unwanted cracks or splits
prevents glues from adhering and makes
quality repair almost impossible. Wax should not be applied to certain finishes
like French Polish and certain exotic
wood veneers, like crotch mahogany.
The bottom line is “know your finish.”
If you are unsure about the finish on you
piece of furniture, consult a professional.

What Wax to Use
Synthetic waxes hit the market in the
1930s, are mostly petroleum based, and
for the most part work just as well as old-
fashioned beeswax. Nevertheless, it is
still better to choose a wax that is at
least 50% natural. Be careful to never
choose a wax with silicon. Check the
labels—if the ingredients aren’t listed
make sure it says no silicon. Some good
furniture waxes are manufactured by
Briwax, Liberon and Antiquax. All three
brands come in different “colors.” If you
can’t match your furniture, or you’re
unsure, just use clear wax or consult a
professional.