This is our Rumpus Room coffee table. It sees a lot of action. And by action, I mean drinking and eating. See the rings? There are plenty to choose from. (If you’re thinking I could use better coasters, you’re right.) As this is where we gather on a daily basis, as well as entertain guests, those rings make for a less than appealing presentation. We could sand the danged thang and refinish it, but that’s a little more time and commitment than I’m presently willing to give. So what’s a gal to do?
BriWax is my answer. When I’ve mentioned this product to friends, they’ve stared blankly, as if I’ve made it up. So I wanted to share the stuff and its usage here. As you can see, the rim of this can is aged and rusty. That’s because I’ve had it for probably 15 years. And it has held me in good stead.
In preparation for applying the BriWax, I cleared the table and gave it a light cleaning, removing any food or dirt.
This is what the wax looks like. It reminds me of shoe polish, both in its appearance and application. It comes in different shades (including clear) and this dark hue seems to work pretty danged well for me. I simply take a clean, disposable rag and dig in.
When applying, I glob on a healthy amount of the stuff. I then rub it on in a circular motion, until the entire piece is covered.
Once the BriWax is on, the surface looks pretty dull. That’s because there is one final step to go.
This is usually the time I look down an my pitiful hands and tell myself I should have worn gloves. Please do not emulate me, y’all. Wear your gloves, people!
Finally, buff out the wax. I’m not gonna lie to you – this is work. And there’s no getting around it, so if you decide to use BriWax, know that you’re gonna sweat. I take a clean, soft rag and buff the waxed wood until it has a nice sheen and is smooth. I do this in a circular motion, the same as when applying the wax. You’ll know you’ve buffed enough when you feel no resistance from the wax against the rag. When you begin, it takes more elbow grease to rub out the wax. As you proceed, the smoothness of the wood eases the work. Get it?
This is the finished product. See the rings? Not so much, eh? Clearly, this doesn’t produce a perfect surface. I mean, it looks much better, but I still see the effects of time. And for me, that’s okay. Like I said, this table sees a lot of action. But the BriWax works pretty well. What can I tell you? I’m a fan.
And for the record, no one at BriWax has ever heard of me, y’all.