This is a post in a series of 31 Days of Wood Finishing. See the intro post with all the topics here.
I use wax as a final coat when I apply Shellac, or lacquer. It helps to smooth the finish, and helps to give it more of a defense against scratches, water, and heat. Wax also helps to blend repairs, as a final finish.
The best wax to use has carnauba wax in it.
Carnauba wax is very hard, and comes from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree.
Usually the wax I use has solvents added to it, and also softer waxes so that it buffs out easier.
Some of the waxes that I recommend are Renaissance wax, and Antiquax. Both are expensive but work very well.
I also use tinted BriWax to help hide scratches, or refresh a furniture piece. It does smear if you leave too much on though.
Wax is pretty easy to work with. You just apply it, and wait a minute, and buff it out.
Zeke Willard
