The choice between wax or varnish depends on the type of wooden surface to be treated. Then you have to choose the product according to the type of protection you want to give your furniture. Moreover, it is important to take into account how the furniture will be used.
Varnishes intensify the tone of the wood and give a more brilliant finish. They also enhance the relief of the wood grain for a warmer look. Varnishes also provide better protection against damage such as stains, rings or food liquids afterwards.
In terms of use, the varnish provides much better protection for bathroom or kitchen furniture thanks to its pearlescent effect, which gives it excellent resistance to water, humidity and weathering. This product extends the life of the material, even if you have to cover more fragile woods such as pine, fir or Douglas fir, because it is more resistant to stains, marks or other marks.
Wax is mainly used for the maintenance, protection and finishing of interior wood. In addition, it gives an aged finish to furniture made of oak, walnut, cherry, teak or pine, for example. This product is therefore ideal for highlighting a grain, a relief, a hollow, a moulding when a more contrasting finishing effect is required.
It also offers a superb patina finish to enhance the shiny appearance of raw, solid or veneered wood. It also allows perfect maintenance of all types of furniture, woodwork or decorative objects made of wood.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods?
Pros | Cons | |
Wax | - Stability of colour over time, - Multiple effects possible, - Easy to apply (does not run), - Easy to touch up, - All waxes can give a good result, - More environmentally friendly, - Modest cost. | - Average durability (it needs to be reprocessed regularly), - Average waterproofing of the substrate, - Persistent odour, although pleasant. |
Varnish | - Solid finish, resistant to aggression, - Good waterproofing of the substrate, - Does not require maintenance, - Possibility of obtaining a high-gloss lacquer effect, - Very light odour with acrylic varnish. | - Difficulty of application (risk of dripping), - Selection of very good quality products is essential, therefore potentially high cost, - Risk of yellowing, especially with oil-based varnishes, - Requires knowledge in product selection, - Retouching difficult if the colour under the varnish is damaged, - More "toxic" product - Requires good quality brushes. |
Our advice: it all depends on the desired result and the budget you can afford. For ecological reasons, we prefer wax; even if we also use varnish.
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