Can you paste wax over polyurethane?

Paste wax is best used as a polish over an existing finish such as lacquer, varnish, shellac, polyurethane or even oil finishes. A paste wax will add shine to a surface by filling in small scratches or voids in a finish.

Then, how do you apply paste wax over polyurethane?

How to Apply Paste Wax Over Polyurethane

Clean all dust off the surface you're about to wax.
Apply the wax with 0000 steel wool or a cloth -- using a cloth may require a bit more effort on your part.
Let the wax dry.
Buff the wax on furniture using a terry cloth towel, a piece of cheesecloth, a cotton diaper or an electric buffer.

Subsequently, question is, can you apply a second coat of polyurethane without sanding? There is no substitute for sanding between each coat if you want the best finish. I get the best result building or refinishing furniture when I thin oil based urethane 3 parts urethane- 1 part mineral spirits for the first coat. Sand with 220 grit after first coat and wipe down with a tack cloth.

Keeping this in view, how long after polyurethane can I wax?

I think you'll be completely fine with one week cure time. "Full cure" will not need air to happen, thus you'll be completely fine with applying wax one week after applying the poly. You could probably get by with less, but a week to be completely safe.

How do you get the shine out of polyurethane?

Apply only one thin coat. Then, remove any dust nibs with 1,500-grit sandpaper or a piece of brown paper bag. Finally, using a soft cotton rag or polishing pad, buff the finish to a high shine using automotive paste wax, photo below, which has fine abrasives that polish the finish even further.

35 Related Question Answers Found

What happens if you don't sand between coats of polyurethane?

Q: What will happen to a wood floor if you do not sand between coats of polyurethane? A: Nothing, provided you apply each coat of finish within a reasonable amount of time. If you get dust nibs or brush marks in the finish, sanding will smooth them, and your next coat will look better if you work on a smooth surface.

How do you apply polyurethane without brush marks?

A light coating of finish after sanding disguises the area.

Sand down the brush marks lightly with the fine-grit sandpaper.
Brush the sanded area off with a soft cloth to remove all traces of dirt and grit from the sanding.
Apply the polyurethane finish lightly to the brush, making sure to wipe off any extra.

How long should paste wax dry before buffing?

10-20 minutes

How do you fix an uneven polyurethane finish?

Sand the uneven finish using fine-grit sandpaper. Try not to sand too hard or you may go through into the stain, requiring that you re-stain the area.
Wipe away dust and debris with a clean cloth.
Apply a very light coat of polyurethane to the sanded area with a brush.

Do you sand the final coat of polyurethane?

No, you don't sand the final coat. You make sure you either spray it, or lay it on nice and even. Sand the previous coats to make sure there is a perfectly flat and even base for the final coat.

How do you apply paste wax to wood?

Apply paste wax sparingly with a clean, lint-free cloth pad, rubbing the wax on with a circular motion to form a thin, even coating. Work on a small area at a time. Some manufacturers recommend that the wax be applied with a damp -- not wet -- pad. If you use water, make sure the surface is dry before you polish it.

Can you use paste wax on unfinished wood?

If your paste wax contains toluene, do not use it on water-based wood finishes, as it could destroy the finish. Use it only on unfinished wood or wood with an oil-based finish or sealer.

Should I wax after polyurethane?

Yes, any finish should be allowed to fully cure before applying any wax. With polyurethane that would be about a month. There really isn't any benefit to using wax on polyurethane other than appearance. It is a plastic coating which doesn't need moisturizing from a wax.

Should I use wax or polyurethane?

A wax finish permeates the wood and acts as a barrier against stains and moisture. A polyurethane-finished floor essentially creates a plastic film over the wood, which can trap moisture and damage the floor. With hard-wax oil, the actual finishing process is much easier and faster than traditional urethane finishes.

Can you varnish over wax?

Yes. Wax can be applied over almost any other wood finish including stain, oil, varnish and paint. Although we do always recommend a test area to ensure that you are happy with the result.

How many coats of polyurethane should I apply?

There needs to be 3 coats of Polyurethane applied, especially if you are using an oil-based finish. The first coat should be mixed with mineral spirits. This acts as a sealer and provides a barrier between the wood and the oil finish you are using. A bristle brush is needed to apply the coats.

What is in Minwax paste finishing wax?

Minwax® Paste Finishing Wax protects and adds hand-rubbed luster to any finished wood surface. It is recommended for furniture, antiques, woodwork, cabinets, doors, paneling and accessories that do not need a hard protective coat of polyurethane.

Can you wax over linseed oil?

If you rush it the solvents in the paste wax are just going to rub a little linseed oil off the surface and replace it with the wax. Yes, BLO takes some patience to use but it will give you a wonderful finish if applied correctly. IMO there is no reason at all to use wax over the BLO.

How long does Polyurethane take to cure?

Length of time to dry for water based polyurethane:

After 2 days, you can move furniture back. It takes a full 30 days for the floors to cure, so it's ideal to wait 30 days before putting area rugs on the surface. If you want to put area rugs back sooner, than 2 weeks is another good benchmark.

How do you remove Minwax paste finish wax?

Dampen a soft rag with mineral spirits and rub the surface. Mineral spirits dissolves paste wax but won't harm cured polyurethane varnish. Alternatively, use naphtha or turpentine. Keep the surface of the rag fresh by turning the rag around or exchanging it for a clean one.

Can you put too many coats of polyurethane?

Too many coats of poly has potential to bulge unless applied to both sides. Wood breaths, even through poly. Ambient moisture being exhausted deferentially through one side of the wood can cause problems.

What is the best applicator for polyurethane?

A lambswool applicator on a wood block is the recommended method for applying oil-based polyurethane to a hardwood floor. But if you've recently bought a lambswool applicator, be careful.