Mark Palma looks at expanding the use of wax in woodturning.


Wax has been used in woodwork for centuries and this simple substance can serve a valuable role in the woodturner’s kit. Wax can be a stand-alone finish, a component of a finish, a surface protector to an underlying finish, an enhancer to a piece and a way to help maintain the lathe. Here is an overview of some of these uses. Wax comes from several sources; bees, as a petroleum derivative or from vegetables and nuts. In its natural state wax is a solid and has limited use. Most waxes are a mix of a base wax and a solvent. Solvent is what is used to dissolve or soften the wax so that it can be applied to the work. When the solvent evaporates, the wax is left on the work.
Wax pros and cons
Why wax?
- Wax is fast, inexpensive, dries in minutes and feels good to the touch.
- Wax is effectively foolproof; it does not sag, run, drip or require personal protective equipment.
- Wax can be applied on the lathe or after work is removed, either as a stand-alone finish or as an enhancement to many other finishes.
- Wax can be used as a sanding lubricant.
- Wax can be used to add colour, enhance grain, instantly ‘age’ a piece or allow a range of expression.
- Wax finishes are renewable, so as the finish wears it can be touched up.
- Wax does not require expensive application equipment. Wax can be applied with steel wool, Scotchbrite pads, rags or paper kitchen towels. A brush, rag, kitchen towel or buffing wheel allows the wax to be brought to various levels of gloss.






Wax isn’t perfect
- Wax will build up in voids, sanding scratches, cracks, tear out or any surface irregularity. You cannot ‘hide’ bad work under wax!
- Wax isn’t heat resistant, and although somewhat initially water resistant, it is not a durable finish.
- The soft nature of wax allows it to trap dirt. Wax pieces will attract dust in dirty environments.
- Some wax contains silicones. As many finishes do not react well to silicones, using a silicone wax may contaminate your ’shop and future work you do.
- Wax cannot be top coated. It is the last layer to a piece. If you do not like the result, you are probably stuck with it – unless you return or sand back to bare wood – so do not apply wax until you are sure all other finishing is complete.
Wax on raw timber
- Wax has its place, but it isn’t the perfect application alone. Consider oil or sanding sealer as a base coat before appyling wax together.
- Clear wax will not significantly change the colour of wood.
- Be careful when using wax on ‘open grain’ woods, as it will build up in pronounced grain. This build up will remain soft and attract dirt.
- On most woods, wax alone will result in a low sheen and make the piece appear to be raw wood.
- Wax works well on naturally oily woods, such as cocobolo and rosewoods that may be difficult to finish with some surface finishes and oils.
- Wax alone provides minimal protection to the work and is possibly the poorest finish from a strict protection standpoint.

Wax tips
- If you use a wax with steel wool – best done off the lathe – leave the steel wool in the can and only use that wax with steel wool. Metal fibres will contaminate the wax and scratch your work when you try to use it with a cloth or for other purposes. You can also sand with wax, but dedicate a tin of wax to sanding as the abrasives will contaminate the tin.
- Some people create a ‘bob’ to apply wax. You can also take a simpler approach. Cut a 75 x 75mm piece of sweatshirt and apply the wax with it. When finished put it in the tin with the wax. It seems to take very little additional wax to freshen this type of ‘bob’ before use. Cloth bobs are great when working on stationary work, but paper kitchen towel is better on work that is spinning on the lathe.
- Find a wax you like and stay with it. Each brand of wax may have different characteristics, solvents, wax formulas or cost.
- Glossy work can be toned down, and dull work can be made slightly shinier with a coat of wax. Paste wax dipped in steel wool can cut down a high gloss finish. This technique can allow you to ‘dial in’ a gloss level to match the look, shape and sheen of your piece into exactly what you want to convey and for the intended use
- Wax can be used to protect metal surfaces.

