I have always wanted to use wax to finish a piece of furniture for an outdoor space.
When the time came for me to find a coffee table for our covered pool patio, I didn’t want to buy anything.

Instead, I went to the barn in search of the perfect table. If you have followed me on Instagram for any length of time, you know that I call our barn “magical”.
I can find anything I want in there…..
And, I found the perfect piece……..in need of lots of TLC.
The table had been sitting in the barn for YEARS, and was covered in grunge and grime.
So, I drug it out of its temporary home, and began to get it ready for its forever home.
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Overview of My Technique
First, I sanded off the old finish, along with all the yuck it had accumulated over the years.
To do this, I used 120 grit sandpaper and my Makita sander.
But, instead of staining the table with polyurethane, I decided to try my hand with some furniture wax.
Since I already had tubs of Annie Sloan’s clear and dark wax on hand, I decided that was the way to go.
Ultimately, the dark wax did not give me as deep a finish as I wanted, so I purchased a small can of Annie Sloan’s black wax to finish the process.
This project can easily be completed this in one day.
However, I like to drag things out, so it took me two days. (which translated to roughly 4 hours of labor done over two days)
Note: I used Annie’s because that is what I had on hand. I’m sure any of the waxes on the market would work to achieve this same look.
Supplies
Clear wax
Dark Wax
Black Wax
Paper plate and bowl
Spoon to scoop out the wax
Separate cloth to wipe table down
Water
Directions for Applying Clear Wax
- Sand the piece down to remove any of the previous finish.

2. Make sure to sand the sides and legs of the table as well. I used regular sandpaper instead of my sander for this step because the sander would not fit in the grooves.

3. Wipe the table down with a dry cloth to remove dust and and debris remaining on the table.

4. Then wet the cloth, and wipe the table down again.

5. Allow the table to dry completely. This should not take more than 10 minutes.

6. Scoop some clear wax out into a plastic bowl with a knife or a spoon.

7. Using a lint free cloth, gently massage the wax into the table working in small areas. Keep in mind that a little wax goes a long way.

8. After waxing the top of the table, using the cloth continue to buff the wax into the sides and the legs of the table.

9. Next, use a wax or chip brush to get into the crevices of the table.

Notes
I repeated this entire process 2 more times using the clear wax only. I allowed the wax to dry (not feel tacky) in between coats. It took approximately 20 minutes to dry. While the top was drying, I worked on the legs, and continued this process until the table had 3 coats of clear wax on the table top and two coats of clear wax on the table legs and sides.
Steps to Apply Dark Wax
- Place a scoop of the dark wax into the same bowl you used for the clear wax.

2. Just as you did with the clear wax, buff the dark wax onto the top of the table using the lint free cloth.

3. Then while the top of the table is drying, work on the sides and legs of the table with the dark wax.

4. After you have buffed dark wax into the entire table and it is dry, using the wax brush, add more dark wax to the crevices and distressed areas of the table.


Notes
I went over the entire table once with the dark wax. Once the table was dry, I added a second layer of dark wax to the top and distressed areas of the table.
I decided the table was not dark enough. So I went into town to my local Annie Sloan stockiest. I purchased some black Annie Sloan wax to see if I could get the table even darker.
Steps to Use the Black Wax
- Using the same bowl I used for both the clear and dark wax, I placed some black wax in the bowl. I dipped the same lint free cloth in the wax and buffed the black wax into the distressed areas on the top of the table.

2. Using the wax brush, I added back wax to the sides of the table.

3. Then, I buffed the black wax into the table.

4. I went over all of the hardware on the table with some black wax and then buffed it in with the lint free cloth.

5. After highlighting all the areas I wanted to darken with the black wax, I allowed the table to dry.

Here it is in its new location.

And, another view…..

Final Thoughts
I am thrilled with the gorgeous waxed finish I achieved on this piece of furniture. As for maintenance, I will only need to add another coat of clear wax every year or so to maintain the table and protect the finish.
We will also add some some feet under the legs to protect them from any blowing rain we sometimes get when Mother Nature is cooperating.
Now, are pool patio is finally complete.
I hope you will try these waxes when you refinish a piece of furniture.
You can purchase Annie Sloan paints and waxes by going to her website and entering your zip code. This will give you the stockists close to your location.
HAPPY WAXING!

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Carol Karl
September 13, 2020 12:23 amThis table looks fabulous. I have always wondered about getting wax into the crevices. Thanks for sharing.
Juliet
September 13, 2020 4:17 amWow … what a transformation! I love your ‘new’ table! It looks fabulous on the pool patio …what a gorgeous space. I’d spend all my time there (when I wasn’t in the magic barn). xo
Jennifer Williams
September 13, 2020 11:42 amThank you so much! Yes, the magical barn is a great place to hang out ;)!
stacy
September 13, 2020 8:44 pmJen the table looks amazing! Love the technique!
Jennifer Williams
September 15, 2020 11:10 amI am so pleased with how it turned out!
Cynthia
September 14, 2020 7:05 pmAfter seeing how beautiful your table turned out, with wax alone, from now on I’ll be looking at garage sale and flea market furniture in a whole new light. Great post!
Jennifer Williams
September 15, 2020 11:10 amYou will love the finish you can achieve!
Linda
September 15, 2020 7:29 pmI love how cozy and inviting your pool patio area looks. The table is just perfect now!
Morgan Nelson
September 15, 2020 10:47 pmWow this table looks amazing!
Sonya
September 17, 2020 11:46 pmWow what a great transformation and that table is so pretty, looks great in your outdoor space.
Linda Johnston
September 20, 2020 9:30 pmYour table looks absolutely fabulous! I love Annie Sloan paints but haven’t used just the wax.
Jennifer Williams
September 22, 2020 1:31 amHi Linda – I have been so happy with her waxes. You will love them!
Streaming Hentai Online Free
September 22, 2020 6:47 amHi there, I enjoy reading all of your post.
I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
Diane
September 22, 2020 3:07 pmGreat layering! That table looks amazing. Please update us next year with how the wax alone holds up.
Darcy
November 6, 2020 5:08 pmHi Jennifer,
I have an old church pew that I would love to try this on. I have never worked with waxes so just wondering if it is ok to sit on etc once it is dry.
Thanks in advance.
Jennifer Williams
November 6, 2020 5:10 pmHi Darcy! Absolutely you can sit on it. I would give it at least 24 hours to completely dry and you will be fine. Your pew will be gorgeous with wax!
Darcy
November 7, 2020 12:19 amGreat thank you. Can’t wait to try it!
Leslie
June 10, 2021 5:41 pmHello Jennifer. Your coffee table is lovely and thank you for the tutorial, but I LOVE your home more and want you to adopt me LOL.
Michelle
June 14, 2021 3:04 pmI love the final results of your table Jen. Thanks for sharing your technique.