Light oak surface without sanding for dark log beams!
Yes! Frenchic Beam Hack or Wax & Paint technology was originally developed to create a light oak appearance on dark ceiling beams with Frenchic products.
Here's how to do it:
The surface is first painted with Lazy Range Crème de la Crème and then Browning Wax is applied.
This simple technique allows for a complete transformation of dark, stained or previously painted beams without expensive, messy and time-consuming removal or sandblasting.
This wax & paint technique is most effective on surfaces with texture (as old log surfaces usually are) which Ruskea Vaha emphasizes and defines as the wax collects in the grooves and grooves of the surface structure. This creates a natural wood effect. Our videos on Instagram and TikTok show some ways to create texture, check it out to get the most out of this look.
As ceiling joists are generally not prone to wear and tear, the wax can be applied quite liberally, which emphasizes the toned wood effect.
What about surfaces other than logs?
Over time, customers have started to try the same method in other areas around the home as well. This includes all kinds of interior wooden parts - doors, window sills and even railings.
However, using the wax & paint technique to create a natural oak look on such surfaces, which are often smooth, is a different process than regular painting and requires a bit more time and effort. Then a brush or something similar is needed for finishing, which is used to draw the grain of the wood or the desired striping into the wax surface, if you are making a Pottery Barn-type surface.
In addition, regular maintenance is likely to be required over time, especially in areas and surfaces with heavy wear.
We recommend trying it on a small area first - before a larger project, so that you can see what the final result will be on the surface you have chosen with the technique you have chosen.
Wax on - Wax off
When using wax, it is best to apply it in several thin layers with a wax brush, allowing the wax to dry completely before applying the next layer. Wax layers that are too thick never dry and remain sticky. So make the desired shade and surface with several thin layers instead of one thick layer.
Between each layer, the excess wax is wiped off (lightly polished): wax on - wax off.
When you have reached the shade you want, finally polish the surface with a strong rotating motion with a lint-free cloth.
Like paint, wax also has a certain curing time during which it hardens.
You can find more about the versatile use of Frenchic waxes here.
