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Not sure what you mean by "keep your finish nice" but wax doesn't offer any real protection and generally shows any finger print and water spot that gets on it. Paste wax gives a nice feel and soft sheen. Beyond that, not much. I think the better approach for any surface that will see daily abuse is to use a finish up to the task. For a kitchen table that would be something like Arm-R-Seal, Waterlox, or other oil based varnish, at a minimum, or a catalyzed finish if you want even higher durability.
John
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I like furniture paste wax for our dinning room table but we use a table cloth over it! Have used both Minwax & J&J floor wax on both furniture & wood turning over clear wood film finishes. You don't have to buy the expensive stuff out there some brands are better over milk painted items but I don't wax anything I paint.
https://www.artsandcraftscollector.com/c...sh-or-oil/
I avoid furniture polishes or scented or other oils they contain silicone in them and make refinishing a bear to do.
Bill
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If the finish has never seen wax, then when it shows wear you can scuff it up and apply another coat on top of it. But once it is waxed you pretty much have to sand down to bare wood before finishing.
And that would go for any spray dust/wax that has silicone as an ingredient.
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Sanding down the finish can drive wax deeper into wood surface because sanding heats up the wax. Could try solution of 1 cup vinegar 1 tablespoon cream of tartar to make natural abrasive. Apply to dampen cloth and gently wipe wax off in direction of the grain. Rinse with cloth with plain water. Wipe dry with clean cloth.
One reason like simple J & J, Minwax paste wax’s doesn’t contain silicone. Mineral spirits added to soften wax providing ease of application & quicker drying time before wiping & buffing. Don’t recommend using auto wax unless you know doesn’t contain silicone!
Just about all spray furniture polishes contain silicone. Which might be okay for particle board furniture with a photo finish but over time will cause cracking. Some of those spray polishes can hurt your clear film finish on wood furniture.
Refinishing shop worked at always assumed solid wood furniture exposed to polishes & other products contained silicone contamination. Depended upon finishing material on the piece, wood species and amount of damage to repair. Owner strive to spot repair defects without much sanding and had an assortment of products he used wipe down the piece.
If your procedure works for you continue to march!
Bill