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what is cerusing wax

by Armando Marquardt Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is Cerusing wax? Cerusing (sometimes called a “limed finish”) is a technique designed draw out the detail and character of the grain in a piece of wood. Modern cerusing techniques use liming wax or paint to accentuate the wood grain, usually on a piece with a dark stain.

Sheen and durability in a simple squeezable bottle. Vintage Wood Mercantile Cerusing Wax is formulated to protect your finishes and give them the rich depth we love in a well-worn antique. This soft, buttery wax squeezes onto metal or wood surfaces and hardens to a clear satin patina.

Full Answer

What can you do with cerusing wax?

With Cerusing Wax, you can create a perfectly vintage waxed finish on any piece. The squeezable application is easy to use and makes covering larger areas a breeze. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

What is the difference between cerusing and liming wax?

There are some great tutorials on how to use liming wax. For a low or medium traffic piece such as a side table or dresser, I prefer liming over cerusing. The process is slightly easier and you have a bit more control with layering the wax.

What is vintage wood mercantile cerusing wax?

Vintage Wood Mercantile Cerusing Wax is formulated to protect your finishes and give them the rich depth we love in a well-worn antique. This soft, buttery wax squeezes onto metal or wood surfaces and hardens to a clear satin patina. It pairs perfectly with your stained, painted, and raw wood pieces to protect and seal with a vintage sheen.

What is cerusing?

This lime washing somehow resulted over the centuries in a decorative look that is popular among modern-day designers and decorators. The effect of this technique is now commonly referred to as "cerusing".

Is Cerusing wax the same as liming wax?

This technique utilizes paint to create the cerusing technique. It is different from using liming wax because the table can be sealed with a clear coat that is hard and durable.

Does Cerusing wax seal wood?

SEALS AND PROTECTS: Creating lasting wood finishes requires a sealing and protective barrier. Our cerusing wax is perfect for high traffic furniture, such as dining and side tables, as it both seals and protects from water damage, scratches, and more.

What is a Cerused finish?

What is a Cerused Wood Finish? Cerusing, or liming, is a wood finishing technique that creates a two-toned look, where the open grain of the wood is accentuated against a contrasting base color.

How do you apply Cerusing wax?

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Can you apply wax over varnish?

Can wax be applied over varnish? Yes. Wax can be applied over almost any other wood finish including stain, oil, varnish and paint.

Does wax change the Colour of wood?

Those in the latter camp must content themselves with the fact that finishes of any type – poly, shellac, lacquer, wax – all change the wood's appearance. While they accentuate the grain and beauty of the wood, they also darken and deepen its color. This is usually a good thing.

Is Cerused wood toxic?

What Is Cerused Wood? Ceruse is a white lead-based pigment first used in 16th century Europe. It was originally used in cosmetics as a skin whitener. However, this was found to be toxic due to its lead content and was banned from cosmetic use.

What color is Cerused oak?

whiteWhat is cerused wood? Ceruse—a white lead-based pigment—first made history in the 16th century as a cosmetic for European high society before it ever wound up on furniture.

Can you ceruse with paint?

Modern cerusing techniques use liming wax or paint to accentuate the wood grain, usually on a piece with a dark stain.

What does liming wax do to wood?

Liming Wax is specially formulated to protect your finishes and give them a pop of sophistication. Use it to create a beautiful white-washed finish or to lighten vibrant paint colors into lighter tones and pastels.

Can I paint over liming wax?

You can paint over it with One Step Paint, and you will have a new, fresh surface, over which to apply the Liming Wax™.

What does ceruse mean?

white leadDefinition of ceruse 1 : white lead as a pigment. 2 : a cosmetic containing white lead.

What is a cerusing finish?

It’s called Cerusing Finish (or sometimes Limed Finish), and basically it’s a process of rubbing a contrasting color into the pores of wood to highlight the patterns of the wood grain. Although, I often see this type of finish with Oak, it works well with many types of wood including mahogany or cherry.

What is the easiest wax to use?

The first, and easiest, is using liming wax. ( This is the liming wax brand I most use ). There are some great tutorials on how to use liming wax. For a low or medium traffic piece such as a side table or dresser, I prefer liming over cerusing. The process is slightly easier and you have a bit more control with layering the wax.

How to ceruse wood grain?

Wir e Brushing The Wood Grain. The key to a good cerusing technique is in the wire brush. Using a very stiff wire brush like this one and working in long strokes that go with the wood grain, you can see the pores open a tad bit. The real key is brushing in the direction of the wood grain and using good pressure.

WHAT IS IT?

Raw oak has a compelling woodgrain that draws our eyes, and the most typical type of wood that is whitened. Oak has grooves open-enough to fill with wax, and furniture finishers use a liming wax to hand-whiten the grain. This white-against-caramel-wood births a gorgeous contrast.

PAINTED, THEN LIMED?

The limed finish isn’t just for unfinished wood. Painted furniture, especially darker colors like black and luxurious grey, enjoy a final sophisticated touch with the application of Liming Wax™ to a painted finish.

GET THIS LOOK!

As I mentioned above, if your piece already has a finish on it, that’s ok! You can paint over it with One Step Paint, and you will have a new, fresh surface, over which to apply the Liming Wax™. This is actually what we did with this cabinet set we picked up from Habitat from Humanity.

What is cerused wood?

Ceruse—a white lead-based pigment—first made history in the 16th century as a cosmetic for European high society before it ever wound up on furniture. So when it was repurposed by craftsmen into a decorative finish for wood, the technique was dubbed cerused wood. The resulting weathered white finish muted the original color ...

How to ceruse bare wood?

If you want to ceruse painted wood that’s currently a shade of white, use a wood stripper to strip the wood, then either ceruse the bare wood or stain the wood and then ceruse it. • Lose the hardware.

What is liming wax made of?

Liming wax, sold in brands such as Briwax ( available on Amazon; $19.49 ), consists of liming paste and a wax made of petroleum, beeswax, carnauba, or shellac. Waxes made with the latter three ingredients are more natural options with lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to petroleum-based waxes. Liming wax is most commonly sold in the ...

How much does liming wax cost?

However, you’ll usually pay a higher price for liming wax (anywhere from $15 to $20 per 8 ounces at craft or home stores) compared to supplies for the other finishes ($2 per 8 ounces for basic white paint or $0.40 to $1.00 per 8 ounces of bleach). Photo: istockphoto.com.

What color is liming wax?

Liming wax is most commonly sold in the color white —which you should choose to mimic the classic white cerused look—but it can also be found in neutrals such as black or gray, which can be used to create a more modern or dramatic look. • Pick your wood wisely.

How long does it take for wax to set on a coat?

Let the coat become tacky (slightly sticky but starting to set, which can take at least 10 minutes depending on the wax), then gently buff the waxed section with large, sweeping motions of a dry cloth or rag; this will remove the excess wax while some white pigment remains in the grain.

Can you ceruse mahogany?

But you can ceruse any open-grained hardwood (i.e., those with large pores) such as mahogany. After you brush one to two coats of liming wax onto the wood and buff away the excess with a cloth, the deep ridges of the woodgrain will hold onto some of the white coloring. Advertisement.

What color is cerusing?

Most of the cerusing you may see is a darker background/base color with a white or off-white color visible in the open grain. However, any color combination may be used, including light base colors with a dark color in the grain.

What is a cerused finish?

What is a Cerused Wood Finish? Cerusing, or liming, is a wood finishing technique that creates a two-toned look, where the open grain of the wood is accentuated against a contrasting base color.

What wood species are used for cerusing?

Cerusing is best accomplished using ring-porous wood species. It is the larger pores of the springwood (aka earlywood) in ring-porous wood species that allows for contrasting colors to be left behind in the deeper pores. Examples of ring-porous woods are: Red Oak. White Oak.

What is cerusing wood?

Cerusing wood is a centuries-old technique for adding flair to wood finish. Originally developed in the 1500s, it was popular among Art Deco artisans, and also in the 1950s.

How to get a ceruse finish?

In either case, you’re first step to achieving a ceruse finish will be to prep the wood. If you’re removing an existing finish you’ll want to strip the paint or stain using your preferred technique. As you’re stripping the wood, use a wire-bristle brush to scrape in the direction of the grain.

How long to wait to use liming wax?

If you used diluted paint, do this right away with another rag or cheesecloth; if you used liming wax, follow the manufacturer’s instructions (which will usually tell you to wait 30 minutes and then take it up with 000-gauge steel wool ). Finally, you can apply sealer over the diluted paint and stain.

What wood is best for cerusing?

The techniques described above will work on any kind of wood with a visible grain, but some pieces are better suited to the process. Oak is a favorite wood for cerusing because its heavy grain and open cellular structure means that it takes the diluted paint or liming wax easily. In addition, some oak furniture is made from wood that is cross-cut to highlight the grain pattern. Once cerused, such wood quickly becomes a dramatic conversation piece in any room.

Can you use liming wax over stain?

Finally, you can apply sealer over the diluted paint and stain. If you used liming wax it will actually create a seal when buffed with a rag , but if it’s a frequently used item, you may want to apply more sealer. Photo: Courtesy of Uptown Floors.

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