Selecting the right finish for the job can be a tough decision. This guide will help you choose the best finish for your project and share some helpful tips along the way. Wise Owl offers natural waxes, wax sticks, glazes, and hemp oil as sealants for your projects. Let’s start from the top!
Wax:
Wise Owl Furniture Wax is solvent free and all natural. Its buttery texture promotes smooth and easy application yielding a strong protective finish for projects. Use as a sealant for painted projects and on wood grain as well. Wax finishes may be layered for a desired effect. Wise Owl furniture wax is available in many colors.
Allow adequate time to cure for the strongest finish and always remember to buff well. Wax is temperature sensitive (harder at cooler temps) so use at room temperature for best results and easier application. You may apply a clear wax before applying a dark wax if a more subtle finish is desired. Check out our video tutorial on applying wax here.
Essential Oil Furniture Wax Sticks are now available! These are way cool and so easy to use! They feature a screw-up applicator, apply without a brush or cloth (less wasted product stuck on brush or cloth). These wax sticks will change the way you think about furniture wax! Enjoy easier application, essential oil aromatherapy, and a softer formula that provides a strong finish to your Wise Owl projects!
Sweet Orange Clear Wax Stick is a natural Candelilla and beeswax formula made from the Euphorbia Cerifera plant. An advantage of using a Candelilla wax formula is its spreadability, making it a very easy to apply wax. This wax also features coconut oil to make it a strong but smooth soft wax. This is a non-yellowing wax that will preserve the integrity of white shades and more. The sweet orange essential oil adds an amazing scent that works its essential oil powers to contribute to an amazing finish.
The Black Lemongrass Wax features lemongrass essential oil and activated charcoal for a unique take on natural colorants. It also contains Candelilla wax and contains hemp oil. This wax will create dimension and add an authentic time worn effect on finishes while providing a strong finish.
Painted in Wise Owl black finished with Black Lemongrass wax stick. Project by Hart’s Cottage.
Both formulas not only smell dreamy, but the essential oils contained within have these properties;
*antimicrobial *bactericidal *fungicidal In addition to the physical functionality of these oils, they also offer; *aromatherapy *natural anti-depressant properties *reduces inflammation (bonus for arthritic users!)
Paint is therapy, these just add some scientifically backed punches in an easy to use, one of a kind furniture wax.
These may be used to seal painted projects as well as used alone on wood.
These are the same as the essential oil sticks but minus the scents. We wanted to offer some powerful gilding waxes along with other wax finishes in a stick and these are our favorite wax products! They are easy to apply and come in these finishes:
White- White wash effect matte wax
Charcoal- deep gray/charcoal matte wax
Java- A hemp oil stick wax with both black and brown tones.
Metallic Pearl- Shimmering metallic pearl wax
Metallic Gold- Bright Aztec gold wax
Metallic Copper- Metallic copper wax
Metallic Verdigris Patina- Shimmering metallic emerald green/turquoise that creates a patina effect over black, peppercorn, and more!
Metallic Black Pearl- a shimmering black wax with opalescent pigments
Metallic Silver- shimmering silver wax
Wise Owl Furniture Wax is solvent free and all natural. Its buttery texture promotes smooth and easy application yielding a strong protective finish for projects. Use as a sealant for painted projects and on wood grain as well. Wax finishes may be layered for a desired effect. Our wax is available in these colors:
Clear– Completely clear, the best choice to preserve the integrity of white finishes
White– White wash/ liming wax.
Driftwood– Medium gray wash wax
Pearl– Shimmering metallic pearl wax
Silver– Metallic silver wax
Patina– Metallic emerald turquoise wax
Champagne Gold– Muted metallic champagne gold wax
Hemp oil furniture wax is made with all natural beeswax with hemp oil. It is a softer wax, making it a dream to apply and buff off. Since it contains hemp oil, it is a superior sealant to many waxes because hemp oil is anti-microbial, anti-fungal (can combat mildew), and it will cure to a strong and durable finish. Hemp oil wax is soft enough to penetrate through the pore space of the paint, thus strengthening the bond of this supreme finish.
You may ask… If hemp oil makes the best wax, then why aren’t all of the waxes made with hemp oil?
The answer is: Hemp oil is a natural product, and has a natural color that can range from golden to amber and even a bit green. If you choose to use it over whites, it could discolor the finish casting a golden or olive oil color to the finish. On any medium to dark colors, it will only richen the color and you should not notice much of a change. Hemp Oil waxes come in natural, Black, Black Walnut, and umber. Our natural waxes are available in clear, white, driftwood, and a multitude of metallics and they do not contain hemp oil as to not discolor desired lighter finishes.
Natural Hemp Oil Wax– Natural hemp seed oil, best on colors besides white due to the natural golden color of hemp seed oil.
Black Hemp Oil Wax– Deep black soft hemp wax
Black Walnut Hemp Oil Wax-Black/Brown soft hemp wax
Wise Owl Glaze is one of the most amazing and dimension creating finishes. What exactly is glaze? Wise Owl Glaze is a water based finishing and dimension creating product that contains either flat or metallic pigments depending on selection. It can create unique character as well as act as a sealing product simultaneously. It may be used over painted pieces or alone over wood for a gel stain finish. Glaze is a thinner consistency than paint and is designed to be applied and immediately wiped away to create a desired finish. Our glaze is a topcoat in itself but you may also apply additional topcoat or clearcoats overtop of it if more durability is desired depending on traffic expected and intended use of piece.
Our Glazes come in these Finishes:
Black Walnut– Our hands down best seller! This is a matte shade of brown/black that tones down and creates antique dimension on all colors.
Black Walnut used to accentuate detail over Joyful.
White Wash– A wash of bright white
White Wash Over Peppercorn
Driftwood– A medium gray/white wash.
Driftwood glaze by Boxwood & Brass
Mortar– A greige/oyster pale gray brown that is perfect paired over whites, limestone, and more.
Mortar Glaze over Snow Owl
Charcoal– A graphite deep gray wash
Charcoal glaze over antique Villa by Brumley Gap Designs.
Black– A deep black color wash
Metallic Gold– Shimmering glamorous gold
Gold Glaze by Mama Bear Furniture
Metallic Champagne Gold– A muted champagne gold
Metallic silver– Shimmering silver metal effect
Opalescent pearl– A multifaceted pearl glaze that adds just a bit of luminosity and shimmer in a clear base.
Metallic Copper– This new addition glaze is as pretty as a penny! Shimmery copper metal effect.
Metallic Black Pearl– A black glaze with shimmering pearlescent pigments.
Black Pearl Glaze by Dearly Distressed.
Metallic Bronze Glaze– Golden bronze metal effect in a deep brown/black glaze base that is stunning over Weathervane and more!
By Kim Neuens Designs
Check out our blog on glazing for more tips on applying glaze here!
If you are part of the furniture up-cycling world, you have likely heard about hemp seed oil. This miraculous product is powerful super tool that lends itself to an array of beautifying and strengthening finishes. This is definitely a product that lives up to its street credit!
What is hemp seed oil?
Hemp oil or hemp seed oil is an 100% natural oil produced from extracting oil from seeds of the hemp plant. In its natural form, it is medium amber to dark greenish brown depending on the region from which it was harvested. When unrefined, it retains more of its super powers including but not limited to; antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, wood and leather refresher and conditioning agent, Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint sealant, and more.
Wise Owl hemp seed oil is different from many hemp oils because it is cold pressed (retaining the most antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties) unrefined, and it is also second pressed (preventing it from spoiling like first pressed and refined food grade hemp seed oils. Hemp oil is considered a drying oil because of its ability to polymerize into a solid form. What does this mean exactly? It will harden and become one with the surface (cure) and reach its strongest finish and bond once it has fully dried, lending its strengthening property to the finish of paint and wood. This can take between 2 weeks and a 30 days depending on environmental temperature and humidity. You may still use your piece finished with hemp oil in the meantime, but take care to protect it from water and heavy wear and tear until it has cured. Hemp oil is suitable for outdoor use, and may be applied in multiple coats to produce a more water resistance finish.
What can hemp oil do?
- It may be used on finished wood to clean and protect, or on unfinished wood to bring out the richness of the wood grain and protect it from water. It is also food safe, making it an excellent choice for beautifying and protecting cutting board and butcher blocks.
- It makes an excellent sealant over stained furniture! Simply allow the stain to dry for 3-4 days, then apply hemp oil onto the surface and let it absorb then wipe away any excess oil. Hemp oil may be reapplied at any time to renew the finish and bring out the wood grain.
- It removes oxidation from various metals and may be used to clean corroded hardware and remove tarnish.
- It provides a strong alternative to waxing chalk style paint. This strong paint finishing product will rival polyurethanes in terms of tenacity! If applied properly, it produces a finish that is not only strong, but also buttery smooth and uncharacteristic of many chalk style paint finishes. It will not add any shine, and will preserve the matte finish of Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint.
For full instructions on applying hemp oil, Check out our blog featuring hemp oil here.
For a guide to help you select the best coordinating Wise Owl colors and finish, check out our blog post featuring our favorite and best selling color combos and finishes. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to drop us a line in the contact us section.
Happy Painting!
Karen Chouinard
Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint was born from a need to bring things back to life. It is ironic that the same concept was the inspiration for the name itself. The reason Wise Owl was chosen as our brand name was because as a child, I cared for injured and orphaned owls with my mom. She was a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in birds of prey. Nurturing the sick and wounded is what my mother does best. From a very young age, I was part of this process.
We cared for hawks, eagles, owls, song birds, raccoons, opossums, ground hogs, squirrels, and more. Round the clock feedings for the babies or attending to injuries was part of my childhood. One thing was certain – if an animal needed care my mom would never turn them away. Following in my mother’s footsteps, I continue to rescue wild animals to this day. Great horned owls were the most majestic and resourceful of all of the animals. I was always drawn to their quiet strength and my love for them has lasted throughout the years. When it came time to choose a name and logo for my company I remembered how the Wise Great Horned Owl had inspired me and I hoped that my paint would inspire others. I hoped that it could be a tool to bring things back from injury, from the trash, or simply to bring it back to being a cherished piece of furniture once again.
Our mission is to provide premium products free of harsh chemicals and solvents. Our versatile paint is zero VOC which means there are no volatile organic compounds. Our wax is made from local beeswax and is solvent free as well. Turns out cancer causing compounds do not make better wax! Our hemp oil is 100% hemp seed oil without unnecessary fillers or preservatives. Our paint has amazing coverage and distresses with ease. Our finishes are sublime and provide strong protection for your hard work. We would like our consumers to feel good about painting and be able to do so without compromising health or the environment to do so.
