Wax finish

A finish of wax, alone or over an oil base, giving a soft sheen rather than a protective film.

Wax finishes are usually worked over an oil base, applied hard and buffed out, which leaves the wood with a low velvety sheen and a surface that feels dry rather than slick. Beeswax is traditional and carnauba is added for hardness, and the same waxes are blended into furniture and instrument polishes. It is commonly described as changing the sound of bare wood very little, since the layer is microscopic and soft. It is the least protective finish available, offering no resistance to water, alcohol or wear, and it has to be renewed, which is why it survives on boutique instruments and not on factory ones.

Example: A waxed body has a soft, hand-rubbed sheen that photographs beautifully, and it will show a water ring the moment someone puts down a cold glass.

typical use: Bodies, and the occasional hand-rubbed neck on custom work.

Wax finish

See also