When waxing wood?

Question

what is the appropriate proceedure? long slow strokes, or hard fast short strokes?

Answer 1

your hands on my wood -would like it slow :-)

Answer 2

It is good to see that there is continued interest in the long practiced tradition of hand finishing wood.

There are large variety of products other than wax which are available. Each has different characteristics, in appearance and durability as well as in protection and lubrication, and the length of time the product is workable without the need for re-application. A finisher may need to tailor the product selection for each wood finishing job.

There is really no one best procedure. Selecting the correct technique is really a matter of determining which technique will best achieve the desired result, the level of proficiency with the technique, and, to some degree, personal preference, of both the finisher and the owner of the wood.

For wood finishers just starting out, never having completed a project before, there will be some degree of experimentation involved, to find the techniques and pace which they are most comfortable with. When a particular technique is not achieving the desired result, a finisher should not be afraid to try something a different, varying the amount of pressure, switching the position of the hands, slightly altering the speed of the stroke, or the delay between each stroke.

For a fast glistening shine, in the least amount of time with the least amount of effort, quick forceful strokes along the grain, with plenty of pressure applied, may be the fastest. Typically, this technique is performed in conjunction with an oil based product, which lubricates the wood, and works well with the technique. (Many wood owners use this approach when finishing their own wood.) But with forceful strokes, one must be very careful to protect the wood from the harmful effects of increased friction. Avoid techniques that are overly harsh or severe, which can render the entire procedure ineffective, and otherwise ruin the enjoyment of a nice wood.

Other products, such as water based finishes, tend to dry quickly, and may need to be re-applied, in order to achieve a good finish.

Note also that particular techniques and products selected should be tailored to each individual wood. Some older softwoods (especially antiques that have been repeatedly finished before) may require techniques that are more skillful, possibly gentler, than those that would be used on a different variety or a newer wood.

If a wood finisher can afford to take more time with a project, the finisher may find that they enjoy performing the procedure as much as (or even more than) the end result. It may take longer, but a finisher can try applying gentle pressure, using slow, even strokes back and forth, with the grain, along the entire length of the piece. But a finisher should try to actually complete the entire job in one session. This technique, while seeming to be slower, may actually takes less time and effort overall, at least with some types of wood. While performing the procedure, a finisher should occasionally pause, and carefully inspect the work, paying particular attention to the more delicate or sensitive parts of the wood, altering the technique when necessary. Quick short stokes with gentle pressure, at some of the more intricate areas can bring the entire piece to a quick finish.

It is important to note that some wood will need frequent re-polishing. This really has more to do with the innate nature of the wood, and nothing to do with the skill level or efforts of the finisher. In fact, some wood owners may enjoy the finish so much, that they will want their wood polished more regularly than is actually required, but when done with care, there seems to be no harm in redoing a wood numerous times.

Note that some owners may not know the best way to wax or polish the wood they own. They may have frequently polished their wood, and done it so many times before, they may be more focused on getting the job done fast, rather than getting the job done right. These owners will actually find a refreshing enjoyment in having their wood finished with a slower, more careful procedure in the hands of a more skillful, experienced wood finisher.

Some wood finishers can be very secretive about their technique, and will not demonstrate or even discuss their procedures with anyone. Others find enjoyment in sharing their experiences. Rarest of all are master wood finishers who will allow an apprentice to join, simultaneously finishing the same wood together.

Above all, a finisher should find enjoyment in each project, should endeavor to complete each project once it is started, and should not hesitate to a project that has been previously finished.

Answer 3

Certainly out of respect I'll hope this is a valid; non suggestive question. That said however; I cannot imagine using wax on furniture any longer; given that most furniture fabricated today has been FINISHED with some formulation.

Waxing does as much to attract soil as anything else it's HYPED to do.

Answer 4

Is this a trick question ?

I always thought that the long slow strokes were the way to go :-)

Answer 5

depends on who I am waxing wood with, but I usually start out slow, and end hard and fast........providing a fine coat of enamel when I am done =)

Answer 6

Whatever brings the luster out fastest.

Answer 7

Long and slow,

with a few shorter faster.

But then back to long and slow...long and slow... long and slow..

Sorry gotta go now.....

Answer 8

a good variety of both will give it an excellent shine

Answer 9

be careful the Preen out now is not the original which was made by Borden.

Answer 10

wax on wax off.......long slow