Briwax has been the go-to furniture wax for restorers and antique dealers for decades. Its blend of beeswax and carnauba wax feeds, protects and polishes wood in a single application, and the toluene-free formula makes it suitable for use in the home. Here is how to use it to bring tired or neglected furniture back to life.
Assess the existing finish
Before you start, work out what finish is already on the piece. Rub an inconspicuous area with a cloth dampened with white spirit: if the surface dissolves or softens, it is wax. If white spirit has no effect, try methylated spirits: if the surface dissolves, it is shellac. If neither solvent affects it, the piece has a lacquered or varnished finish. Briwax works directly on bare wood and over existing wax or shellac finishes. Over lacquer or varnish, it adds a protective top coat and warmth but does not penetrate the wood itself.
Cleaning
Old furniture collects decades of grime, old polish build-up and sometimes candle wax, paint drips or adhesive residue. Start by cleaning the surface with fine steel wool (0000 grade) dampened with white spirit. Work in the direction of the grain using light, even pressure. The steel wool lifts the grime while the white spirit dissolves old wax. Wipe the loosened residue away with a clean cloth as you work. For heavily soiled pieces, you may need two or three passes before the cloth comes away clean.
Let the piece dry completely before applying fresh wax — at least an hour, longer in cold weather.
Repairs
With the surface clean, any scratches, dents, ring marks and small areas of damage become visible. Minor scratches often disappear under fresh wax, particularly if you choose a tinted Briwax that matches the wood colour. Deeper scratches can be filled with a wax filler stick, rubbed in across the scratch and levelled with a flat blade. Small dents in solid wood can sometimes be raised by placing a damp cloth over the dent and pressing briefly with a warm iron — the steam swells the compressed fibres.
Applying Briwax
Apply Briwax with a clean, lint-free cloth or with fine steel wool (0000 grade). Steel wool application gives a slightly more robust result as it keys the surface and helps the wax penetrate, but a cloth is perfectly fine for pieces in good condition. Take a small amount of wax on your applicator and work it into the wood in the direction of the grain, covering one section at a time.
Briwax is available in clear and a range of tinted shades — Jacobean (dark brown), Tudor Oak (medium warm brown), Antique Brown, Rustic Pine and others. Clear wax does not change the wood colour; tinted wax deepens and enriches the tone. For antique pieces, choose a tint that matches the existing patina. For lighter woods or where you want to maintain the natural colour, use clear.
Let the wax dry for 15-20 minutes until it hazes over, then buff vigorously with a clean cloth or a soft brush. The more you buff, the higher the shine. Briwax buffs to a beautiful, soft lustre rather than a hard, shiny gloss — this is what gives waxed furniture its characteristic warmth and depth.
Maintenance
A single Briwax application provides months of protection under normal use. When the surface starts to look dull or dry, a light re-application (just a thin coat, buffed well) brings it back immediately. For pieces in daily use, like dining tables and desks, re-wax every three to six months. Display furniture and pieces in low-traffic areas need attention perhaps once or twice a year.
Between waxings, dust regularly and wipe up spills promptly — wax provides moderate moisture resistance but it is not waterproof. Use coasters under drinks and mats under hot dishes to prevent ring marks and heat damage.
