Our White Wax Tutorial for Chalk Paintgoes over all the tips to creating beautiful pieces of furniture. We also talk about if you can use white wax on regular paint and we also talk about dark wax as an option too. Let’s dive in and help you decide what’s best for your next piece.
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White Wax Tutorial for Chalk Paint
White wax is a good way to tone down a paint color and make a piece look softer. Here I used white wax to create a weathered wood look. To start the process of getting this grey weathered wood look. You will want to start with a white base. This can be chalk paint or regular paint at this point.
How to apply a dry brush technique for a weathered wood look.
Use a grey chalk paint and start by applying the dry brush technique. To do this, just dip the tip of your brush into the paint and then dab it off so the brush is fairly dry. Now start brushing on in layers to get the look you want. You can always lightly sand some of the grey off if you apply to much paint. Finish your piece with white wax or even dark wax at this point. Each brand has their own consistency to their wax so let me speak about Dixie belle paint company for this post as this is the brand I use the most. They have a smooth creamy wax, that doesn’t need a clear wax applied first. You don’t need to thin down their wax like you would do for Annie Sloan Wax.
Can you use wax on regular paint?
You can use white wax and any other colored or dark wax on regular paint but I have found the dry time to take a super long time so I use a poly acrylic spray by Krylon to seal the wax to prevent it from coming off and then the piece is dry and ready to go much faster than not using it.
Should you sand chalk paint before waxing?
I think it’s personal preference. I typically sand after my wax is applied but that is just how I roll.
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White wax vs clear wax.
White wax vs clear wax.Clear wax just helps you get that extra protection and a little shine without altering the color. But white wax allows to add a bit of color to your piece.
How long do you let clear wax dry before applying dark wax?
Wait 24 hours to apply your dark wax over clear wax but honestly I cheat and do it right away. You may get a different look by rushing the process.
Can I use wax over Polycrylic?
This question is the same as how to use wax over regular paint. It does work but it will take longer to dry.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out our chalk painting ebook, to get all the basic tips and tricks to start out your chalk painting journey.
Hey there! I am Rhonda Hallstrom, creator and designer of Hallstrom Home. Making beautiful home decor is my way to inspire you to follow your dreams and amibitions. So come check out my shop and blog, I hope to get to know you. Thanks for stopping by at Hallstrom Home, Rhonda.
Hello, I need some help. I wanted to brighten my very dark kitchen with a blue chalk paint however it came out like a robins egg color, which does not go well with my 225 year old home. It is way too bright and I’ve already put a lot of time into it but haven’t waxed yet. I really need this toned down but afraid of what to try.
Any suggestions would be very helpful. I do love antiques but wanted something fun and bright. Should I white wax, dark wax or dry paint over them and what color do you suggest?
Thank you
I would recommend a white wax rub on and in cracks then wipe off with rag. That would still be if you want the lighter look.
Hi! I completed a dresser almost a year ago but the pink has never been the right shade. I would like to lighten the pink from bright pink to a pale pink. Should I sand the piece and repaint? Or can I just add some white paint over the top of this and that will lighten it?
YOu would definitely want to repaint. Unless you like a white wash finish. But if you want a solid softer pink with no white I would just repaint it a lighter pink
Hi I’m going to try and update a small dresser. I would like to give it a shabby chic look. The dresser is already white. Can I just sand the edges a little and put some sort of wax on it?
yes that would be the easiest way to shabby chic a piece of furniture. U go girl!
Hi, Rhonda. I painted a wardrobe yellow. It’s too bright. I want to lighten/soften the finish.
1. Will white glaze help with this? Or should I do something different? (like use a lighter yellow chalk paint.)
2.Also can I seal it before applying the glaze?
3. When should I sand it, before applying the clear sealer or after?
Yes white glaze will help soften the color. My rule of thumb is if the color isn’t perfect, repaint! You can also try sanding to lighten the color if you have white underneath. I do suggest sticking to chalk paint when painting because it is easy to paint over unlike other paints you have to sand before painting over.
Can you apply white wax over stain that’s sealed with polycrylic?
Hi, can I just use white wax on an antique mahogany chest of drawers to give it an updated look and cover flaws?
Yes that would look great!
Can you use white wax after bleaching wood? Does it turn the bleached wood white? I have a dark brown antique side table I plan to sand down and bleach, does it need clear or white wax?
Yes you can. You can add a light amount of wax onto the rag and keep rubbing until you get the desired look and add more wax for more white. If it is a high use spot I would add a clear wax, but a white wax is not a must unless you want more white in the details.
I painted a desk and chair using white chalk paint. Should I wax it with clear wax or white wax?
I would just do a clear wax for the sealer.
Rhonda, I just finished the first coat using chalk paint on my table and chairs. I wanted them to be and look GRAY. The color looks white with a gray tint. Not happy. Can I purchase another can of darker gray chalk paint to be the second coat? I don’t want to have to do 2 coats of the darker gray. Is there something else that would darken it up?
I’d personally purchase the dark gray you’re really wanting. If you want to darken up any piece I would use a dark wax. But it gives it a “muddy” look. Hope that helps.
I painted a cabinet bright white but thinking I prefer more of an antique white. Could I achieve an off white color if I mix just a little dark wax with my clear wax?
Yes that would give a great antique look!
Can I use a white wax over a IOD transfer?
Yes you can!
What if I wanted to do the reverse? I have a dark almost black coffee table and I would like to lighten it up, ever so slightly. Could I use a white wax to obtain this? Or would it require paint?
A white wax isn’t going to necessarily lighten it, it just adds a layer of white as if antiqued in a way. If it’s not a chalk paint finish on your piece of furniture, the white wax may leave a sticky feeling behind.
I just painted a few tables with a blue chalk paint and want to do some white wax on the edges. Do I then need to use a clear wax to protect the entire thing?
Hello! You should be fine with just doing your white wax once it’s all dry. But if you do want a little extra protection you could spray a non yellowing polycyrlic, but it isn’t necessary.
Best
Rhonda
We just painted a Buffett with chalk paint and it’s more brighter then I expected. Will the wax tone it down?
Yes. If you use a dark wax be sure to use a clear wax underneath it. If you use a white wax it’s going to lighten the paint color quite a bit.
Hi, I painted a sideboard with white chalk paint and it turned out way too bright of a white. What should I do to tone it down and not make it not so bright? Thank you.
It depends on the look if you want. If you want an antique look you could use a dark wax or grunge glaze. But if you want it a solid color you’ll just have to use a different white.
I think this turned out perfect 💗
Thanks so much Kim!
Ok Rhonda I am going to tackle an armoire and do a white chalk paint with a grey wax like you did the headboard …. 🙏🙏🙏
Tammi that is going to be gorgeous!! If you have any questions let me know. Send me after pictures over Instagram, I would love to see the results!
Best
Rhonda