paste wax on poly

[zootroy]

I am making a mahogony side table. I just finished putting on my last coat of wipe on poly. Next time I will fill the grain with pore filler.

Question :

1. Will paste wax help to fill the pores a bit?
2. Can I apply paste wax on top of poly? I am thinking of using the Briwax Antique Mahogony?

TIA
-Jason

[Tom Miller]

I don't think you'd want to try to fill pores with paste wax. It could wick out onto any fabric or paper that might be set onto the table.

I routinely put paste wax on poly, as do many folks. Just this morning I waxed my new maple knife block after last night's final coat of poly.

Regards,
Tom

[MilDoc]

Paste wax might fill the pores but provides minimal protection, and I doubt if an overcoat of poly would adhere well. Any one know for sure?

Sure, you can wax over poly. Adds a bit of sheen and fills minor scratches to reflect light better.

[radhak]

at the risk of exposing my total ignorance - shouldn't it be the other way around? ie, first fill the pores, then wipe-on the poly?

i saw this short vid-clip on the woodwhisperer.com where he finished a plank of mahagony, and that's how i understood the procedure.

not that i have not been wrong before...

[zootroy]

Yes, as I mentioned, next time I will fill the grain with a pore filler then apply finish. I already have the poly on, so I was thinking that since paste wax will fill minor scratches, maybe it help to fill the pores a bit.

My biggest concern is the poly. I thought that some paste waxes had mineral spirits that might react with the poly if it didn't have time to cure. I'll give it a shot on the underside of the table.