If I had a penny for every time I was asked “What brush should I use when waxing my furniture?……. ” {big smile and wink}
Up until a week ago my answer was always the same.
I use a plain inexpensive dollar store chip brush and a clean soft rag for ALL my furniture waxing. A cheap brush or rag will apply your wax beautifully, get into all the nooks and crannies of the furniture, and will give you the EXACT same finish as a ‘fancy’ waxing brush!
So why did I bother to buy one of these $35 waxing brushes?
I guess I wanted to be in-the-loop and experience the difference (if any) these waxing brushes offered. Call it blog-land peer pressure… and I fell victim… hook, line and sinker. 😉
So are ‘fancy’ waxing brushes a yaaay or naaay in my books?
Yaaay if you paint and re-style a lot of furniture. If you wax plenty of pieces for business or pleasure, Annie Sloan Waxing Brushes (or any other name brand) are lovely to use. They feel luxurious, cover large areas quickly, and make the waxing process efficient.
Naaay if you wax the odd piece here and there. Save your money. You will get the exact same GORGEOUS wax sheen by using an old t-shirt, clean rag, or inexpensive brush.
What are your thoughts on waxing brushes? What do you prefer to use? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
And if you missed last weeks Q-T-T you can find it here.
Enjoy your Day and Happy Painting!
Denise x
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
I recommend the best brush you can get. I had major problems with cheap brushes. There is nothing more annoying than picking out bristles!
I just found this blog, so I’m late commenting on waxing brushes, but I thought I’d let everyone know that you can get a similar brush with the rounded configuration of the bristles at Lowes. A big one costs around $9.95 CDN and a smaller one is about $6.95. They work great.
I’ve also used the Dollar Store flat 3″ brush and you can get the same results, but maybe you might take a little longer since it won’t pick up as much wax.
Thank you for that valuable information just what I was looking for!
Denise, can you tell me if I can use either oil or latex based paints to tint wax. In assuming ur using latex. Also have you experimented with using a semi gloss/gloss paint in the wax and your input on that idea.
Hi Tod! Yes, you can use oil-based paints to tint wax, some people actually prefer it. I avoid using oil-based paints whenever possible so I prefer using latex. And I have not experimented with semi or gloss. If you get the opportunity, I’d be curious to hear your results.
Hi, I just had the same thing happen to me, I felt pressured into buying a very expensive A.S waxing brush (AU$80😣) only to find out that the actual brush that I wanted to buy, a different brand, was half the price. Anyway, live and learn. I’ll have to use it now to justify the huge expense. Thanks for the blog 😉
What brush did you buy? I am trying to pick out a wax brush to use with my Annie Sloan wax.
I use plain old Johnson paste wax and never take my rag out of the can. It is permanently infused with the wax. Then, because I’m a guy and have to use power tools, I use the Meguiar’s Power System buffing attachment. It connects to any drill and works awesome. Plus, unlike commercial buffers, it can’t burn.
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3500-Power-System-Tool/dp/B009OBVRY4
Thanks for leaving this Don! I was thinking of getting an attachment that I put on my drill but this Meguiar’s System looks even better!
Thank you! This was just what I wanted to know. 🙂
ugh, I wish I’d read this BEFORE I ordered the special waxing brush. Mine is not Annie Sloan brush but, it was still pricey at $18 on Amazon. Oh well, we’ll see how it goes once I get it next week. I’m still waiting for my Calcium Carbonate to arrive (also next week) to make my own chalk paint. Thank you for doing this post.
So much to learn, furniture painting so creative & fun, so little time…plaster of paris recipe unfortunately, consistently gives me gritty finish no matter how much mixing or sanding. What am I doing wrong…striving to achieve that coveted “professional chalk paint finish”…finances prohibit attending classes, so thank goodness for your generous tips…
Sadie, I might suggest adding slightly more water to the Plaster of Paris and/or mixing with a blender. I own an inexpensive hand blender ($12) that I use for all my paint mixing. Also sanding in between coats will help provide a professional finish. Have fun! 🙂
I’ve just made my first batch of chalk paint and I thought I was being clever by using my old hand mixer…as it turns out you were cleverer first. I just don’t have the arm strength to stir/shake a can of paint so I thought of the mixer. Worked brilliantly – made the paint lovely and smooth.
I use flour sifter for plaster of paris and I get smooth diy chalk paint
I prefer my AS wax brush when doing large pieces, but If waxing something smaller, I usually use an old t shirt rag. When I am feeling particularly lazy, I will use a blue shop towel…you know, the towels that come in a roll like paper towels? They are actually pretty durable and can be used to apply and wipe off.
I’ve had a few ‘lazy’ moments myself Jules. 🙂 Those shop towels are incredibly durable and lint free. On occasion I’ve used them for waxing and staining!
Denise, all your tips are so useful. Thank you! I have used both my Annie Sloan brush and a rag. For some reason I seem to go through a lot more wax with the rag but it’s great for those hard to reach spots like chair spindles etc. The brush does seem to cover a larger area quickly. I love to paint but dislike waxing!!! Always, in the end, it is worth it.
Thank YOU Laurie and I’m sure a lot of readers can relate. Whether it’s sanding, waxing, clean-up… there’s always something about the painting process that isn’t appealing. But once you’ve re-styled the piece, well worth it!
I paint and wax a LOT of furniture. I used to use an Annie
Sloan wax brush. So so. I now use a Chalk Pro wax brush and
I can’t tell you how wonderful it is – an 18 on a scale of 1 to
10. Less wax, far easier to use and a beautiful finish.
I now use my A.S. brush for dark wax only.
Is the Chalk Pro Wax brush more rounded Cynthia? When I purchased this brush, Melanie (the shop owner) was explaining how she prefers the rounder brushes over the flat top waxing brushes.
I wax a lot of furniture…I used to think it didn’t make all that much of a difference…Until I tried a good Annie Sloan wax brush. It’s all I use know. The wax goes on like butter and the application is so much easier. Just my 2 cents…. 🙂 Lynda
Hi Lynda!!… thanks for dropping by! I haven’t noticed my wax going on more smoothly (in comparison to my ‘cheap’ brushes) but I do like that this waxing brush can cover a larger surface in less time. And when waxing numerous pieces, this makes good sense.
I used to use rags and odd brushes and finally bought a wax brush..made all the difference in my book. I use a lot less wax and achieve an even coat & requires less buffing for a great shine.
Thanks for chiming in Nicole!
Thanks for this short, sweet tip. I’ve been wondering myself about the hooha on fancy brushes. I think one of the things that confuses folks is when waxing is done just to age a piece opposed to sealing one. Probably a blog topic of it’s own right there (you know me and those can ‘o worms!)
lol… yes you’re always opening them Dee! 😉
I bought one of these fancy brushes and wished i’d saved my money, a cheaper brush will do just as well or even a soft cloth,
I agree Paul. I’m really enjoying this waxing brush and so glad I’ve tried it, but again, if you don’t wax a lot of furniture… not needed. Whether you drive to a store in a 250k car or a 25k car… you still get to the store. That’s probably the lamest analogy I’ve ever written…lol. I think I need to stop sniffing fumes and eat some dinner!
I have done only one piece and am using old rag.it seems to work OK. I love your work. Thanks for sharing.
Pleasure Micki… and thanks for taking the time to leave your comment. 🙂