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Tbh, my trip to a flea market in France showed me wax finishes I've never seen here. How do they get that deep shine?

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3 Comments
nathan226
nathan2261mo ago
That's it, multiple thin layers build it up.
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terry_thomas
I read in a furniture care book that three thin coats of shellac work better than one thick coat. Each thin layer dries completely and sticks better. Then when you add wax, it sits on that smooth base and doesn't sink in patchy. I tried this on an old desk and the shine was much deeper than just wax on bare wood. The trick is to wait for each layer to dry before adding the next. That's how you get that flea market look without the mess.
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betty_price14
betty_price141mo agoTop Commenter
Yeah that "deep shine from wax" thing is tricky. What you're probably seeing isn't just wax. A lot of those French flea market pieces get a coat of shellac or a really good polish first, then the wax goes on top. The wax protects it and adds a soft glow, but the real depth comes from the layers underneath. Have you tried putting wax over an already polished surface at home?
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