Which Wood Finish Is Best? Oil, Lacquer or Wax...varnish or wax?
One of the most important steps in the painting process is topcoats.Applying a top coat helps to seal and protect your project while also allowing you to create beautiful, custom finishes.It is recommended for projects in high traffic areas that will be handled regularly such as furniture, cabinets, and floors.
It is important to understand the differences between the different topcoats so that you can choose the one that is right for you and your project.We will be comparing the two most popular products.We will cover the pros and cons of each product, along with product tips and answers to commonly asked questions.
It is possible to apply the finishing wax and varnish on interior surfaces that have been painted with a paint.Jolie Varnish can be used indoors and on protected exterior surfaces, but finishing wax is only recommended for interior use.We don't recommend finishing wax or varnish to be used on floors, food-prep surfaces, such as countertops, or areas that are regularly exposed to sitting water.
We recommend using a floor varnish.If you want to learn how to paint floors, check out How to Paint Floors with Jolie Paint.
A soft, lint-free cloth or a wax brush can be used to apply finishing wax.Varnish can be applied with a synthetic bristle brush, a low nap roller, or a sprayer.Both products need at least two coats.The dry time between coats should be 1-2 hours.
If you leave your brush to dry, it will ruin it and you'll want to clean it well between uses.The brushes don't need to be washed.
There is a learning curve when working with wax.When working over darker paint colors, using too much wax or too little may cause your finish to look different.It is easy to fix any mistakes with finishing wax.If you want to correct issues with wax, you can either apply another thin coat to even out the finish or use a textured cloth or steel wool to remove excess wax.
It's a great alternative for people who don't know how to finish wax or like to work with a liquid.It requires more careful application to avoid drips along edges and pooling in places.It can be hard to fix mistakes without sanding and re- coating.To prevent drag or over brushing, you'll want to make sure your brush or roller stays wet with the product, and that you don't go into already dried areas.
When used over certain wood surfaces, varnish is going to be more prone to stains or bleed-through issues than wax.As the varnish dries, it can cause orange or pinkish stains to appear in the finish.Before painting the entire piece, we recommend doing a test spot.Before painting, make sure to seal with shellac or a stain blocker.
Clear, Black, Brown and White can be used to create a variety of different finishes.Jolie Paint can be used to tint wax to create custom colors.
Jolie Varnish is only available in clear and should not be mixed with other colors.Wax should not be applied over varnish, so if you want to achieve a look similar to what you would create with colored finishing waxes, you should plan to layer different colors.It is possible to create glazes on surfaces sealed with varnish.
Wax is great at hiding flaws and brushstrokes.It is best to use wax for projects where you want a more natural, hand-painted look.
It's a great option for projects where you want a bit more shine.Low-Luster has a slightly higher sheen than wax, but is still relatively matt.Compared to wax, varnish is going to sit on top of the paint and give you a nicer finish.
If you want a sleek, modern finish, be sure to follow our tips for applying a smooth finish or use a roller or sprayer for a more even application.
When it comes to longevity, wax and varnish are quite durable once cured.It is a rule that top coats with higher sheen have better durability than those with lower sheen.
It does have the benefit of being able to be easily touched-up, even though it isn't as durable as varnish.Simply add more wax or apply a fresh coat to revive a dull finish.
It is noted that varnish isn't as forgiving.Sand back and re-coat is the only way to get your finish back to normal.
It takes time to cure and harden both topcoats.The cure time for finishing wax is about two weeks.For the first few days, be extra gentle with your finish.
If you want to remove the wax finish from your surface, be sure to either repaint or use mineral spirits, because other topcoats cannot be applied over wax.
The hue of some white paint colors, particularly those with yellow undertones, such as Antique White and Palace White, may be altered by Jolie Varnish.We recommend doing a test spot first to make sure you are happy with the final result.
We hope this guide helps you choose the perfect top coat for your project.Refer to the How to Use page for additional instructions.
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