Thrift Flip Ideas using White Wax

You can save money by upcycling thrifted items & use what you already have on hand. But sometimes the item needs a fresh look. Here are some QUICK & EASY thrift flip ideas using white wax.

Thrift flip ideas for home decor or resale

Today, I am going to show you 3 quick & easy projects that got a fresh new look, in no time at all. In each makeover, I used DIY White Wax on different surfaces to achieve a different look. I did use a different (quicker) method than I do on wood furniture. b

You can save money by upcycling thrifted items & use what you already have on hand. But sometimes we pass on thrifted items because they may not be our style or colors. Or even worse get rid of items even though we like their purpose, style, or shape due to wanting a different color or pattern.

But we may be able, depending on the material, to add a fresh coat of paint or even some colored wax to achieve the look we want.

Click here to read how I used white wax to give the old table (pictured above) a fresh new makeover –
DIY Thrift Flip – Side Table Makeover

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Materials & Tools for these thrift flip ideas

WICKER BASKET-

DIY paint – color Apothecary – Here’s the link to DIY Paint Co.
paintbrush
DIY white wax
old plate to hold paint
water
wax brush
buffing cloth (recommend cheese cloth – 100% combed cotton) I used a terry cloth (sock) because I ran out of cheese cloth for crafting

BIRD

porcelain figure (you can use ceramic but it will need to be painted/primed first to absorb the wax)
If it is NOT the color you want you can paint it first with just about any type of paint
DIY white wax
wax brush
buffing cloth

CLAY POT

clay pot
if it is NOT the color you want you can paint it first with just about any type of paint
DIY white wax
wax brush
buffing cloth

How to apply & buff out white wax

1. Take your wax brush & LIGHTLY put some wax onto your brush then dab it a few times onto a plate to knock off any excess. Start applying your wax on your surface in a thin layer.

If working on a large piece I recommend waxing in small sections then buffing it out before moving on to the next section. Allowing the wax to adhere before buffing.

2. Take your cloth & buff out the wax (see tips below)

Repeat till you get the sheen and desired look you want.

For curing times read the directions on your container of wax. Some are different due to the brand or type you are using.

Tips on buffing out wax

You don’t want ANY tackiness – just keep buffing till it is nice & smooth to the touch
You can also go back & add another layer of wax for the desired look you wish to acheive OR keep rubbing to take back the wax if too much.
Rub in each direction – circles, with the grain, against the grain – all of it! helps to work the wax into every crevice
You don’t want to PRESS down hard – just nice easy motion.

For wood furniture, I leave the wax on a bit longer till it dries: just like waxing a car or shoes ( I am old school, lol) to allow the wax to adhere and then buff. Usually 10 minutes depending on humidity along with condition & type of wood. Thin layers, patience & practice). Some brands DO recommend applying wax and allowing it to sit overnight prior to buffing.

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Wicker basket upcycle

1. Clean the basket to get out any dust (I washed mine with water & a brush then let it dry outside in the shade & wind
2. Apply 2 coats of paint & allow them to dry before moving on.

Tip – if you have spots deep into the layers of wicker that you can reach easily: add water to your paint on a dish, then try to go back over those areas to cover.

3. Once your basket has dried you can distress it with fine-grit sandpaper OR a damp cloth.

Head on to steps 4 & 5

Bird & clay pot upcycle

I made sure the surfaces were clean & grease-free
Applied a full coat of wax & buffed out

Because the clay pot was porous I added 2 coats then added spots of white wax where I wanted a more “weathered” look.

I hope you enjoyed this post about an easy way to give a fresh new look to thrift flips. I will be sure to share more ways to give old, maybe “outdated” items a new look.

Please share with me by commenting below if you have items that you want to give a different look to? And what material the items are made out of and what “look” do you want to achieve as your end result?

Blessings, Kim

Thrift Flip Ideas using White Wax

Thrift flip ideas for home decor or resale