Picking up several chalk paint wax brushes is normally the last thing people consider when they start the DIY furniture task, but it's truthfully one of the most important components of the entire procedure. You've spent hours sanding, cleaning, plus carefully applying these coats of matte paint. The last thing a person want to do is screw up the finish because you tried to save the few bucks by using an aged t-shirt to use the wax. Don't get me incorrect, rags have their own place, when you want that professional, buttery-smooth finish, an ardent brush is the particular approach to take.
Precisely why you really need a dedicated wax brush
I remember the 1st time I attempted waxing a nightstand. I think, "It's just wax, how hard can it become? " I snapped up an old cotton cloth and started rubbing. Half an hour later, my hand was cramps, the wax was splotchy, and I couldn't get the item into the designed details of the hip and legs in order to save my existence. That's while i recognized that chalk paint wax brushes aren't just a fancy accessory—they're a functional tool.
The main cause a brush beats a rag is the bristles. Chalk paint is porous. When you apply wax, you aren't just laying it on top; you're trying to push this to the "pores" associated with the paint to seal it. A brush, especially one particular with stiff organic bristles, can obtain into every space, cranny, and wood grain. It spreads the wax very much more evenly and uses less item in the lengthy run. If you are using a rag, half the wax just gets absorbed into the cloth instead of winding up on your home furniture.
Natural compared to. synthetic bristles
When you start shopping intended for chalk paint wax brushes , you'll notice two main sorts: natural and artificial. For waxing, natural bristles—usually boar hair—are the gold standard. Why? Because they're stiff yet versatile. They have a bit of a "flagged" end, meaning the tips are slightly split, which usually helps them hold onto the wax with out letting it go all at one time.
Synthetic brushes are great for the painting part of the particular project simply because they keep fewer brush shots, but they usually struggle with wax. They're usually as well soft. If the bristles are very floppy, you can't actually "scrub" the wax into the paint. You'll just end up moving it about on the surface area. If you're severe about a long-lasting finish, look with regard to those natural whitened or grey bristles. They could shed a tiny bit from first, but as soon as they're broken within, they're unbeatable.
The importance associated with shape and dimension
You'll observe a lots of round or oval-shaped chalk paint wax brushes on the market. There's the reason they aren't flat just like a standard house-painting brush. The particular round shape allows you to use a circular movement, which is the simplest way to ensure the wax is fully integrated into the paint.
Large circular brushes are great for big, level surfaces like tabletops or the sides of a chest of drawers. They cover the lot of floor quickly. However, when you're working on something with a lot of detail—like a spindle seat or a French provincial dresser—you may want a smaller, tapered wax brush. Getting a couple associated with different sizes within your kit makes the job way less frustrating. A person won't find your self trying to jam a giant brush in to a tiny corner, which usually just results in a large glob of wax that's difficult to buff out later.
How to use your brushes without having making a mess
The greatest mistake individuals make with chalk paint wax brushes is making use of way too much wax. I've completed it, and it's a nightmare in order to fix. You end up along with a sticky, tacky mess that never ever seems to dried out. The secret is to dip only the very tips of the bristles straight into the wax. A person really don't want much.
Once you've obtained a little bit on the brush, work in small sections. I usually pick a 12-inch by 12-inch region and work the particular wax in using a circular motion. You should feel the clean dragging a little—that's the wax achieving the paint. After you've covered a section, take a clear, lint-free cloth plus wipe away the particular excess immediately. You aren't "buffing" however; you're just eliminating the extra things the paint didn't absorb.
If you're making use of dark or black wax to generate an aged appearance, your brush will become even more critical. You'll want in order to apply a layer of clear wax first, then use your dedicated dark wax brush in order to hit the information. This provides you even more control and helps prevent the dark wax from staining the paint too profoundly.
Caring intended for your brushes so they last yrs
A good set of chalk paint wax brushes could be a bit associated with an investment, therefore you definitely don't want to treat them such as disposables. Since most furniture waxes are usually oil-based or consist of solvents, you can't just rinse associated with water. If you let the wax dried out within the bristles, the brush will turn out to be as stiff because a board, and it's a discomfort to recover.
The particular best way to clean them is with a bit of unscented mineral spirits or a specialized brush soap. I usually pour a little mineral spirits in to a glass container, swirl the brush around to crack in the wax, plus then wash this with warm, soapy water. Dawn meal soap works surprisingly well for reducing through the grease.
Once the brush is clear, shake out the particular excess water plus hang it up in order to dry using the bristles facing down. If you dry them with the bristles facing up, the water and any left over wax residue may seep into the metal ferrule plus rot the wood handle or loosen the glue holding the bristles within place. A small maintenance goes a long way.
Don't mix your waxes
Here's a tip We learned the tough way: keep your clear wax brush and your darkish wax brush separate. Even if a person think you've washed your brush completely, there's normally a small bit of color left deep in the bristles. If you use your darkish wax brush regarding clear wax on a white piece of furniture later, you may end up with weird grey streaks that damage the appearance.
I mark the handles of my chalk paint wax brushes with a bit of tape or even a permanent marker so I understand which is which usually. It saves the lot of head ache down the street. It might appear overkill to possess three or four brushes, but when you're mid-project and realize you need to change between clear and antiquing wax, you'll be glad you have them.
Final thoughts for the process
All in all, DIY should end up being fun, not a chore. Utilizing the right tools, like high-quality chalk paint wax brushes , takes a lot of the "work" out of the particular finish. You'll discover that you're not fighting the home furniture or the item as much. Instead, the wax goes on smoothly, the buffing is easier, and the final result appears like something you bought from a high-end boutique instead than something you rescued from a garage sale.
It's tempting to neglect the "fancy" brushes to save twenty bucks, but the finish is exactly what everyone sees. A person can do the perfect paint work, but if the wax is streaky or uneven due to the fact of a bad application, that's all people will notice. Grab a good brush, take your time, and take pleasure in the process associated with watching that smooth chalk paint change into a rich, glowing finish. Your furniture (and your wrists) will say thanks to you.