Finishing Wax | Jolie

Jolie Home offers durable topcoats and finishes to protect and seal your projects. Our products can be used on a variety of different surfaces and provide a range of finish and application options.

Jolie Finishing Wax is non-hazardous and has no odor. It provides a matte finish and is available in four colors: Clear, Brown, Black, and White.

Jolie Varnish is a clear, water-based acrylic topcoat that creates a long-lasting finish on furniture and cabinetry. It is available in two sheen levels: Gloss and Low-Luster.

Jolie Finishing Wax will seal and protect interior furniture and home accessories that have been painted with Jolie Paint. It will create a beautiful matte finish or it can be buffed to produce a subtle sheen. Jolie Finishing Wax has a soft consistency, no odor, and easy application.

Jolie Finishing Wax is available in a variety of colors that can be used to bring out the texture in your brushwork, highlight details and moldings, and create gorgeous custom finishes. For best results, always apply Jolie Finishing Wax in Clear to your surface before layering on colored Finishing Waxes.

To begin waxing, use your Jolie Wax Brush to apply a small amount of Jolie Finishing Wax in Clear. Working in manageable sections of 2-3 square feet at a time, use a gentle sweeping motion to work the Clear Finishing Wax into the paint. Work in the direction specified in the instructions for your selected finish. You will see the Jolie Paint color become slightly darker after the wax is applied.

Use medium pressure to remove the excess wax with a clean, absorbent, lint-free cloth. As the cloth becomes saturated with wax, you will need to replace or move to a clean area of your cloth so that it will continue to absorb wax. Once the cloth has become saturated, it will not absorb any more wax and will simply move the wax around on your surface. If you wait too long before wiping, the Finishing Wax will begin to dry and might be more difficult to work with. Move on to the next unwaxed section and repeat waxing and wiping process until you have waxed the entire surface.

FOR LARGE AREAS: After waxing and wiping individual sections, apply a very thin coat of Clear Finishing Wax from one side to the other and wipe the surface in the same manner to even out the finish.

Extra Coats

For surfaces that require more durability, apply at least two coats of Clear Finishing Wax. Allow at least eight hours of dry time between coats.

Drying

The wax is dry when it no longer feels cool to the touch, around 1-2 hours. It should feel room temperature.

Buffing

Leave the finish as is for a natural matte sheen, or allow the wax to dry for 1-2 hours before buffing with a soft, lint-free cloth for a more polished look. If you begin buffing too soon, you may remove too much wax from your surface, creating a streaky look. The longer you wait, the more difficult the wax will be to buff. If you’ve waited too long, apply another coat of Clear Finishing Wax and allow to dry 1-2 hours before buffing.

FOR A HIGHER SHEEN, apply more pressure and use a softer cloth when buffing.

FOR LARGER SURFACES, such as table tops, apply Finishing Wax and buff in the same direction of the wood grain.

Curing

During the curing process, the solvents will begin to evaporate and the wax will start to harden. Jolie Finishing Wax will fully cure and harden in about two weeks depending on your climate. Warmer and dryer conditions will shorten the curing time, while colder and more humid conditions will increase the curing time. Be gentle and take care when using your piece (i.e. use place mats and coasters) until the curing process is complete.

Colored Finishing Waxes

We strongly recommend that you apply a layer of Jolie Finishing Wax in Clear onto your surface before using any of the colored Finishing Waxes. This will allow you to slowly build up coverage and remove excess colored wax with Clear Finishing Wax if too much remains after wiping back. If you do not apply Clear Finishing Wax first, the stain in the wax will absorb into your Jolie Paint too quickly. If you have chosen to use a light paint color and wish to apply Jolie Finishing Wax in Brown or Black over the majority of the surface, try adding in some Clear Finishing Wax to give yourself more control over the results.

Always apply and wipe back Jolie Finishing Wax in manageable sections of 2-3 square feet at a time and according to the instructions of your specific finish. If you wait too long before wiping, the Finishing Wax will begin to dry and might be more difficult to work with.

Special Situations

In certain situations, such as on raw wood, you may choose to apply colored Finishing Waxes directly to your surface without applying Clear Finishing Wax first. This technique can be used to create the look of stained wood or a limed finish. Colored Finishing Wax cannot be removed with Clear Finishing Wax unless an initial coat in Clear has been applied.

Creating New Wax Colors

Make a brand new colored wax by mixing any of the colored Finishing Waxes together or even adding a bit of Jolie Paint into the mix.

Repainting or Refinishing

If you would like to change the look of your piece, first apply Jolie Paint, then apply new topcoats. Other finishing products and sealers, including varnishes, will not adhere to a surface coated with Jolie Finishing Wax. However, you can always use Jolie Paint over Jolie Finishing Wax if you would like a new finish or are ready for a new look.

To remove Finishing Wax, wipe your surface with mineral spirits on a clean, lint-free cloth.

How to Use Colored Finishing Wax

Tools & Materials

- Jolie Paint in the color(s) of your choice
- Jolie Finishing Wax in Clear
- Jolie Finishing Wax in White, Black or Brown

- Jolie Wax Brush
- Lint free cloths

Step 1

After painting your piece with Jolie Paint, use your Jolie Wax Brush to apply a coat of Jolie Finishing Wax in Clear in manageable sections of 2-3 square feet at a time. You will see the Jolie Paint color become slightly darker after the wax is applied. Proceed to step two before beginning to wax the next section.

EXCEPTION: Since Jolie Finishing Wax in White does not have any dark pigments, you don’t need to use Clear Finishing Wax before applying it. White Finishing Wax will slightly soften the underlying color and will be most noticeable in any texture or crevices.

Step 2

Wipe away excess wax using a lint-free cloth and medium pressure. As the cloth becomes saturated with wax, you will need to replace or move to a clean area of your cloth so that it will continue to absorb wax. Repeat steps one and two until you have covered the entire surface with Clear Finishing Wax. This will protect your piece and allow you to have more control when using the colored Finishing Waxes.

Step 3

Apply a small amount of your chosen colored Finishing Wax with a clean Wax Brush. If you are working over a lighter color, we recommend applying the colored Finishing Wax in the recessed areas only. On darker or brighter colors, you may want to apply the colored Finishing Wax all over.

PRO TIP: It is helpful to have multiple Jolie Wax Brushes: one to use with your Clear Finishing Wax and one to use with your colored Finishing Waxes. This will help you keep your Clear Finishing Wax container clean for future projects.

Step 4

Remove the excess wax with a soft, lint-free cloth. If your result is too dark, you can use a small amount of Clear Finishing Wax on a clean cloth to easily remove some of the colored Finishing Wax. Let the wax dry overnight before adding additional coats or buffing. Be gentle with your piece for the first two weeks until the wax has fully cured and hardened.

How to Use Tinted Finishing Wax with Jolie Paint

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Mix about two parts of Jolie Finishing Wax with one part of Jolie Paint on wax paper or a paper plate. If you want the Finishing Wax to be more translucent, you can alter the ratio and add additional wax to the mix. Mix the paint and wax together really well.

Step 4

Apply your custom colored Finishing Wax.

Step 5

Remove the excess wax with a soft, lint-free cloth. If you want to remove some of the coloration, use a small amount of Clear Finishing Wax on a clean cloth and wipe over the surface. Let the wax dry overnight before adding additional coats or buffing. Be gentle with your piece for the first two weeks until the wax has fully cured and hardened.

PRO TIP: With the addition of the paint to the Finishing Wax, the wax is likely to dry faster.

The Textured Finish with Jolie Paint

The Textured Finish from our Everyday Guide is used to achieve a more rustic look, especially when used with colored Jolie Finishing Waxes. It highlights imperfections and carvings while creating depth on flat surfaces.

Read on for step-by-step instructions or check out our instructional video below.

Tools & Materials

- Jolie Paint
- Jolie Finishing Wax - Clear
- Jolie Finishing Wax - Black, Brown or White

- Lint-free cloths
- Jolie Signature Brush
- Jolie Wax Brush

Step 1

Apply a liberal coat of Jolie Paint using a Jolie Signature Brush. Paint in every direction in a crosshatch pattern, leaving generous amounts of thick and uneven texture. Allow the paint to dry partially for a few minutes until some (but not all) areas begin to dry. Do not let the surface dry completely.

PRO TIP: To thicken your Jolie Paint, leave the lid off for about 30 minutes before painting.

Step 2

While the paint is beginning to dry, load your Signature Brush with paint. Lay the bristles angled to the side and gently drag and pull your brush across the surface. The fresh paint will latch on to the still damp first coat, creating additional texture. To vary your texture, pounce the brush in a few areas. Please note: because of the thickness of application, this finish will require additional time to dry.

Step 3

Use your Jolie Wax Brush to apply a small amount of Jolie Finishing Wax in Clear. Working in manageable sections of 2-3 square feet at a time, use a gentle sweeping motion to work the Clear Finishing Wax into the paint. Work in every direction, just as you did with your paint brushstrokes. You will see the Jolie Paint color become slightly darker after the wax is applied. Proceed to step four before beginning to wax the next section.

Step 4

Any surplus of wax should be wiped away using a lint-free cloth and applying medium pressure. As the cloth becomes saturated with wax, you will need to replace or move to a clean area of your cloth so that it will continue to absorb wax. Continue on to your next unwaxed section and repeat steps three and four until you have waxed the entire surface.

FOR LARGE AREAS: After waxing and wiping individual sections, apply a very thin coat of Clear Finishing Wax from one side to the other and wipe the surface to even out the finish.

Step 5 (optional)

To age or alter the look of your finish, follow with a thin coat of one or more colored Jolie Finishing Waxes (pictured: Brown Finishing Wax). Make sure to push the wax into the underlying texture to emphasize brushwork and details.

PRO TIP: If you prefer to have less colored Finishing Wax on your surface, use Clear Finishing Wax to wipe back some of the excess.

Step 6

The wax is dry when it no longer feels cool to the touch, usually within 1-2 hours. Leave the finish as is for a natural matte sheen, or allow the wax to dry for 1-2 hours before buffing with a soft, lint-free cloth for a more polished look. For surfaces that require more durability, apply at least two coats of Clear Finishing Wax. Wait at least eight hours between coats. Jolie Finishing Wax will fully cure and harden in two weeks. During this time period, be gentle and take care when using your piece.

The Textured Finish with Jolie Paint

Jolie Home