Wax VS Polyurethane

Are you considering which furniture topcoat to use? Wax vs polyurethane is a common debate among DIYers, and it’s one of those things that feels super confusing at first, especially when you’re not sure what makes them different. But don’t worry, we’re gonna figure this out together!

We’ll discuss these furniture painting tools and supplies: how they are applied, their durability, maintenance requirements, appearance, and cost, and by the end of this post, you can choose the right topcoat for your project!

A topcoat is a vital part of protecting and finishing furniture. It helps to seal the surface and prevent staining or discoloration caused by dirt, dust, and other environmental elements. It also enhances the appearance of the piece by creating a sheen that accentuates any design details.

In addition to providing protection and adding visual appeal, topcoats can also help extend the life of your piece as they provide an extra layer of protection for wear and tear over time. But with so many different options available, which one do you choose?

Wax and polyurethane topcoats are two of the most popular choices, and they have their own pros and cons, and why you might choose one over the other. So, let’s dive into what you can expect from these two options!

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Wax Topcoat

Wax is a great choice for protecting and finishing furniture, as they provide a more durable finish than no topcoat. It is available in both oil based and waterbased versions, and it dries to a matte sheen that can be buffed or rubbed to create a shinier finish.

It also has the added benefit of deepening the color of painted or stained pieces.

While it may not be as durable as polyurethane, it is easy to apply and can provide some protection from wear and tear. Learn more about the pros and cons of wax for chalk paint here.

Pros:

• Seals porous paint to create a more durable finish
• Dries to a matte sheen, but can be rubbed or buffed to make a shinier finish
• Deepens the color of the paint or wood
• Available in oil based and waterbased versions
• Easy to apply
• Easy to find in a variety of stores or online
• Provides some protection from wear and tear

Cons:

• Takes longer to dry to a non tacky state
• Not as durable as poly
• For best results, you have to apply more of it every 6 months
• Can look streaky over dark paints

How to Apply Wax to Painted Furniture

It’s important to know the correct method to apply wax to get the best results.

First, it’s important to allow the painted piece to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours so that it can start to get more durable. With all the rubbing you’ll do to apply the wax, you can easily rub off paint if it hasn’t started to stick well.

Then use a lint free rag, old sock, or wax brush to apply a thin and even layer to the surface. Leave it to sit for a few minutes, then use a clean lint free rag or sock to remove any excess wax. For dark finishes, you can use a dark sock to avoid any white fuzzies on your piece and vice versa!

If you want a shinier finish, gently buff it with a clean, lint free cloth. Allow it to dry and cure for a couple of days before using your piece.

Keep a can of wax around, so when you start to see the finish wearing down, you can reapply another coat. For best results, apply a new coat every 6-12 months. Reapplying helps to maintain the finished consistency and prevents patchiness or dull spots. This is especially important for high traffic areas or if the furniture is placed near windows or direct sunlight.

Regular wax reapplication helps make sure that painted piece is well protected and looks beautiful. It plays an important role in maintaining the quality and helps extend its life, making it an extra step that is worth it in the end.

Wax for Painted Furniture

Looking for some inspiration to know if wax is the right topcoat to use? Here are some of our furniture makeovers that we used it on:

• Behr Chalk Paint Review – Mini Buffet Makeover
• How to Use Waverly Chalk Paint and Wax
• Painted Fabric Chair

Where to Buy Wax

You can purchase it from a variety of retailers, including home improvement stores, craft stores, and online marketplaces. Here are some of the best brands and where you can purchase them:

• Waverly Clear Wax: You can buy it at Walmart, as well as online retailers such as Amazon and Target. Here’s our Waverly Clear wax review to learn more about the pros and cons of this product.
• Real Milk Paint Soft Wax: You can purchase it from their website, as well as on online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
• Fusion Mineral Beeswax: It can be purchased from their website or from online retailers such as Amazon and Etsy.

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Check out this guide and makeover on how to chalk paint furniture, where we used the soft wax from Real Milk Paint.

You can also check out popular retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Michaels, and Joann for these products. It’s also worth noting that there are many other great brands available on the market, so be sure to shop around and compare product features and prices to find the best one for your needs.

Polyurethane Topcoat

Polyurethane is a popular choice for protecting furniture, as it provides major protection and creates a very durable finish. It comes in a variety of sheens and in oil based or waterbased varieties. With its easy application process and quick drying time, it is an ideal choice for DIYers looking to protect their finished pieces.

However, there are some drawbacks, such as the potential for streakiness over dark finishes if brushed on with a waterbased product, and the yellow tint that can come from oil based products.

Nevertheless, if you follow proper maintenance techniques, your pieces will have excellent protection from this type of topcoat for years to come!

Pros:

• Seals porous paint to create a very durable finish
• Comes in matte, satin, semi gloss or gloss sheens
• Deepens the color of the paint or wood
• Available in oil based and waterbased versions
• Easy to apply with a brush, sponge, or sprayer
• Easy to find in a variety of stores or online
• Dries quickly within 2 hours and can be lightly used after 24 hours
• Provides major protection to painted or stained furniture
• Does not need to be reapplied

Cons:

• Waterbased poly can look streaky over dark colors if brushed on
• Oil based poly has a yellow tint, so use waterbased poly on light colors
• Needs 3 coats for best durability

How to Apply Polyurethane to Painted Furniture

Applying poly is an easy and effective way to protect it from wear and tear. But if you don’t know the tricks that professionals use, it might not look the best.

It comes in both oil based and waterbased varieties, with the latter being easier to use for DIYers. Oil based poly should only be used on stained wood or dark paint colors.

You can apply it with a brush, sponge or sprayer, depending on the size of the project. Check out the best paint brushes for polyurethane here, and the best sprayer for polyurethane options here. We’ve also listed the best sprayers for polyurethane here. And here’s my comparison of spray polyurethane vs brush on polyurethane to help you decide between the two.

If you’re looking for a foolproof method that will make your piece look like it was professionally painted, then spraying is definitely the way to go. Learn how to spray polyurethane in this post. Alternatively, if you want to know the tricks to get an even finish without using a spray gun, here’s how to apply polycrylic to painted furniture (polycrylic is waterbased poly, by the way.)

Both posts provide detailed instructions on how to get professional results when applying these types of finishes! We also have a comparison of polyurethane vs polycrylic for dining table here for this kind of piece.

You can also opt for poly that comes in a spray can – here are the best spray polyurethane options. Here’s a dedicated post for the best clear polyurethane spray for wood.

Polyurethane on Painted Furniture

Still not sure if using poly is the right choice for you? Check out these makeovers where we used it. Just so you know, we use poly for the majority of our projects that need a topcoat.

• Painted Armoire Makeover
• Buffet Turned Into Bathroom Vanity
• How to Refinish a Dresser

Where to Buy Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a popular protective finish for painted furniture, and it’s available from various retailers, including home improvement stores, craft stores, and online marketplaces. Here are some popular brands of polyurethane and where you can purchase them:

• Varathane Waterbased Polyurethane can be purchased on Amazon, at Home Depot, and other home improvement stores.
• General Finishes High Performance Waterbased Topcoat is available on Amazon, as well as Etsy.

Almost every brand of boutique paint has its own topcoats available as well. I haven’t tested many of them, but I know for sure that these 2 brands mentioned are the best of the best. Learn more about the best polyurethane for furniture here.

It’s important to be aware of the type of polyurethane you’re purchasing, the size of the can, and pricing before making a purchase. There are many great brands available on the market, so it’s best to do some research to find the best one for your specific needs.

Wax or Polyurethane

These are two of the most popular topcoats, but which one should you use? To make an informed decision, it’s important to understand how each topcoat performs in terms of durability, maintenance, appearance, and cost.

Durability: Polyurethane is a hard, durable finish that will protect your piece from wear and tear. Wax, on the other hand, offers less protection as it wears off over time.

Maintenance: Wax requires regular upkeep as it requires reapplication every few months. Polyurethane however, does not require frequent reapplication and is less time consuming.

Appearance: Wax offers a more natural, matte finish, while poly provides any finish from a matte look to a glossy look.

Cost: Polyurethane is generally cheaper than wax, but it does depend on the brand. Keep in mind that wax does require more upkeep, which can add up over time.

Ultimately, the decision between wax vs polyurethane will depend on the piece you are protecting, your desired finish look, and how much time and money you’d like to invest in maintaining it.

Can you wax over polyurethane?

Yes, you can apply it over poly, but is it the best option? That kinda depends on what you’re looking for. Wax can either add a cozy, soft sheen or an antiquing layer to your piece. It’s awesome if you’re going for some vintage charm.

But polyurethane itself is already a tough cookie. It’s durable and doesn’t really need the extra layer of protection from wax. And again, the waxed finish tends to wear off over time, so if you’re not up for reapplying it every few months, it might feel more like a chore than a benefit.

So, it’s not really necessary to add it on top of poly, but it can be a nice touch if you have the time and patience for it. Plus, it can give your piece a more aged or distressed look, which some people prefer.

If you still want to do it, make sure the poly is already cured, which can take around 30 days. Then, you can proceed to apply the wax – here’s how to use Waverly Antique Wax if you’re using this brand specifically.

More Furniture Topcoat Resources

• Glaze VS Wax Over Chalk Paint
• Polycrylic Vs Polyurethane: Which is the Best?
• Topcoats for Painting Furniture
• How to Apply Waverly Wax Over Chalk Paint

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