I recently made a harvest table with wormy maple, otherwise called soft, or ambrosia maple. I applied a water based gel to color the wood, then a couple coats of Danish oil, and then waxed that with several coats of Watco Satin Finishing Wax (dark). I’m not happy with the finish, and wish I had used Bulls Eye Shellac instead. My question is: how do I safely remove the wax build-up without ruining the color so I can apply the shellac for a top coat?
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Using a LOT of paper towels and mineral spirits keep wiping the table to remove the wax, using a fresh side of towel for each wipe so you aren't just smearing it around more.
Shellac is really not an adequate finish for a table top. It is just not resistant to water or alcohol.
If not shellac, then what would you recommend?
Wipe on varnish. You already have some small amount of varnish on it in the Danish oil.
Gretchen
Edited 12/19/2004 7:48 am ET by GRETCHEN
Since you have waxed it seal in the wax (you cant get it all off) with seal coat (shellac) and then do whatever with it..
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled