Poetic waxing

Something I've learned along the way with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, is that it must be waxed to finish and seal the paint. The ASCP wax is good quality and worth the investment, but if you'd rather stick with a brand you already have...that's fine too.

My best tips for ASCP wax are as follows:

Apply a thin layer evenly with a paint brush of your choosing

I like to buy cheap brushes that I can toss without guilt after a few applications...because I'm lazy and don't like to wash my brushes. If you are a better steward of the Earth and your finances than I, my best tip for cleaning is to rub some vegetable oil into the bristles of your brush to loosen the wax then wash with warm soapy water.

Let the wax cure for at least 24 hours before buffing

I like to wax pieces at night and since my stuff is for resale, buff them at the shop once they have been transported. That way you avoid scratches and dings in the finish.  If you don't allow the wax to cure, it will be sticky and you won't be able to bring it to a shine.

Use ASCP dark wax sparingly!!!!

I love the effect the dark wax can give to a piece, but it can go all wrong very, very fast!!!! For the best results, apply a thin layer of clear wax first, then gingerly dab the dark wax onto the areas that you would like to have a more aged appearance, then work it in with a dry brush. If you put too much dark wax on, work the area with a brush with clear wax on it...this can help knock down the dark. On rare occasions I do apply dark wax over an entire piece...but only when using a dark ASCP color such as Graphite. Since the dark wax is meant to give an aged appearance to a piece, be thoughtful about where you might see an authentic wear pattern or darkening on an antique piece. For instance, in the cracks and grooves of details or around the handles or corners. DO NOT take your brush and make skid marks across your lovely furniture!

Pre wax

Pre wax

This is literally how much wax I put on my brush...just specks on the outer edges.

You can see here that I put hardly any wax on my brush...a little goes a long way!

                I like to stipple the dark wax around a small area and then work it in with my brush.

Work in the wax and try to get it in the nooks and crannies of the piece. BTW...this isn't one of the fore mentioned cheap brushes...I did splurge for this waxing brush. Honestly, it's not that much better than the cheap ones, in my opinion. However, the cheapies shed bristles which you have to then pick out of  the wax. This one just happened to be clean.

 

Here is the dark wax worked in. You can see that it gives the piece a more aged patina.

Up close you can see the way the wax sits in the nooks and crannies...hmmmmmmm
      all this nook and crannie talk is making me crave and English Muffin.

And finally...here she is waxed and ready to go to French Hen. Against the brick wall, this looks a little like a furniture mug shot...but oh well.