How to Make Homemade Dark Furniture Wax

If you enjoy giving pieces of old furniture makeovers and reselling them, then you’ll be happy to learn how to make your own homemade dark furniture wax. It gives painted furniture a slightly “aged” look, that buyers often look for.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients for making dark furniture wax
Why wax?
How to apply dark wax
Examples where dark wax was used

Ingredients Needed to Make Dark Furniture Wax

Ingredients

• Paste wax
• Stain (I use the color walnut for most of my projects.)
• Sealable plastic container
• Craft stick 6″
• Cheese cloth (for application)

How to Make Dark Wax

Dark Wax Recipe

4 rounded teaspoons of paste wax
1 rounded teaspoon of stain (Use less if you’d like a lighter tone.)

Scoop the paste wax into a small plastic container and then add the stain. Stir the mixture until the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.

PRO TIP: Store the wax in the smallest size container that will hold it and cover the opening with a piece of plastic wrap. These tips will keep the wax from drying out.

Why Wax?

After painting a piece of furniture, it typically needs to be “finished” with another product. This means adding a protective layer of something like polyurethane, shellac, or paste wax to its surface. This not only protects the paint from chipping and scratching, but it creates a smooth, attractive “finish”.

Chalk paint in particular needs finishing because its rather dull looking on its own and its chalkiness can easily rub off on clothing.

My finish of choice for chalk paint is paste wax because it leaves a buttery, satin finish, which other products can’t compete with (in my experience).

Do keep in mind, however, that it’s not as protective as a product like polyurethane. This doesn’t bother me in the long run because I want most of my projects to ultimately look ages. A few extra bumps and bruises don’t reduce their appeal or value.

PRO TIP: Learn how to make your own chalk paint HERE.

Benefits of Making Your Own Dark Wax

You may ask, “Why bother to make my own dark wax?” There are a couple of benefits from my point of view:

1. You only need to make as much as you need at any given time.
2. You can make the wax as light or dark as you want.

How to Apply Dark Wax

Grab some of the dark wax with a piece of cheese cloth.

Apply a light coat to the surface of your painted project and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Wipe off any excess with a clean piece of cheese cloth. Using a clean part of the cloth, rub over the waxed area lightly and repeatedly.

This is called “buffing.” Continue rubbing until the surface no longer feels tacky, but rather feels very smooth to the touch.

Above you see an example of a side table improved with chalk paint and stencils. I lightly sanded some of the edges and then finished it off with homemade dark furniture wax.

This project dates to 2015. It still sits in our living room, and the surface looks as good as it did back then.

General Paste Wax Tips:

• Read the directions on the can(!)
• Apply a thin coat of wax using cheese cloth or another lint free cloth.
• Allow it to dry for 10-15 minutes.
• Buff it out with cheese cloth using a back and forth or circular motion until the surface is smooth and dry to touch.
• Apply a second coat for extra protection if desired.
• Avoid rough handling for a week or two to allow the wax to fully “cure” or harden.

Examples of Dark Wax Use

1. Hutch
2. Clock Face Side Table
3. Large Side Table
4. Spice Chest

Wood Salve Recipe

If you’re interested in concocting your own supplies, as I am, then you’ll want to check out my recipe for homemade wood salve. It can be used on dried out wood, old painted surfaces, rusty metal, and even your hands and feet!

Conclusion

I don’t know about you but when I make something like this dark furniture wax, I feel so proud of myself. I never took shop in school and no one specifically taught me how to paint and finish furniture, but here I am, doing both, with homemade products!

I share my “recipes” and how-to’s because I want everyone to feel the same sort of accomplishment. Let me know in the comments if you’re thinking about making your own dark wax–I’d love to know.

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