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How to Paint Furniture, Apply Colored Wax & Apply WoodUBend – Tutorial & Video

Updated: Sep 14, 2022


Using chalk mineral paint & a few easy techniques, this basic makeover made a big impact.


In this tutorial, I’ll be showing you how to:

  • Add WoodUBend Mouldings to Furniture

  • Use Dixie Belle’s “Slick Stick” to Prime Factory Finish

  • Paint Furniture using Dixie Belle’s Chalk Mineral Paint

  • Seal Paint using Dixie Belle “Easy-Peasy Spray Wax”

  • Add depth & shading with Dixie Belle “Best Dang Wax” in Black

  • Add highlights with Dixie Belle Gilding Wax in Copper





You will see bold colored text in the product list, those are links to each product so that you can locate the products easily if you are wanting to purchase them.



Step #1 Prepping Your Piece of Furniture to Paint


Before painting, you always want to clean it with a TSB-Based Cleaner. I use Dixie Belle’s White Lightning.


Afterwards, clean it really well with water and a rag to remove any residue, then let dry.




Since the surface is a slippery factory-finish, I need to use a bonding primer before painting it.




I apply a coat of Dixie Belle’s Slick Stick, which is a bonding primer that helps paint adhere to any slippery surface.




TIP: Slick Stick is a water-based product. If it’s drying quickly or leaving drag marks, you can thin it out by misting your brush with a little water. This will help you use less product and get a smooth even finish.


Let it dry 24 hours before you start to paint.



Step #2 Apply Your First Coat of Paint


I apply the first coat of paint using Dixie Belle’s "Merlot” and an Oval Medium Synthetic Brush.


I prefer using synthetic brushes for the smoother finish they give, but you can also use natural bristle.


This is one of 5 Limited Edition Fall Colors from Dixie Belle Paint




If the paint is drying while you’re painting, mist your brush with water to thin it out & help the paint to self-level.


This helps with getting a smooth finish while using a lot less paint.


TIP: Don’t start at hinges or hardware holes. Otherwise, it will clog up your hinges or cause drips where the paint accumulates. Start away from the edges, and gently feather over the holes or hinges last, with the slightest amount of paint on your brush.


After the paint has dried for 24 hours, it’s ready for the next step.



Step #3 How to Apply WoodUbend Mouldings to Furniture


A great way to dress up plain furniture is adding WoodUbend Mouldings.


They’re made of a wood composite that become bendable once you heat them up. Then they can be painted or stained just like wood!




How to Apply WoodUbend Mouldings:

  • The mouldings need to be heated to become flexible. I use an electric griddle set at 350 degrees with foil over top.

  • Let the moldings sit on it for a few minutes until they’re heated and flexible.

  • You’ll need to use a Wood Glue to apply the moldings. I used Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue and a craft sponge to apply it.

  • Moving quickly so the glue doesn’t dry, apply a thin even coat to the back of your molding. Use it sparingly to prevent it from dripping out the sides when you press it down.

  • If the Moulding starts to harden before you get it flat to your surface, you can heat it back up using a heat gun. (Just be careful not to hold It too close or in one spot too long.)

  • Press firmly to be sure the moldings are completely flush to the surface.

  • Let the moldings dry for a few hours before applying your second coat of paint.



TIP: If you have any glue drips outside the molding, use a small craft brush & a paper towel to clean it up.



Step #4 Apply Second Coat of Paint


Once the glue has dried on the moldings, you can paint or stain them.


I used the same brush to apply my second coat, being careful to push the paint into the details of the moldings.


 Let the paint dry for 24 hours before moving on to the final steps.




Step #5 Adding Wax to Bring out the Details


I’m going to show you an easy way to use Colored Wax to add depth, shadow, and bring out the details of your painted pieces.


I’ll be using Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in Black to give soft grungy glow to the moldings and doors.  


Using a normal rub-on Wax with a brush tends to stick in & gunk up the moldings. To prevent this, I first apply a thin coat of Easy Peasy Spray Wax.


It cures dries in 30 minutes and cures in 6 hours to a water-resistant finish, so we’ll be working on one door at a time.




How to apply Easy Peasy Spray Wax:

  1. Shake container well

  2. Mist over a small area about 10-inch x 10-inch. I did one door at a time.

  3. Wipe with lint free cloth to evenly spread it out, being sure to get the details of the mouldings. I use a Dixie Belle Applicator Pad, making sure to coat it evenly without wiping it off. It will look wet, but you want to get rid of any drips.

While the spray wax is still wet, it’s time to add the Black Wax.


I used a French Tip Brush to apply the wax, but you can use any natural bristle or craft brush.



Tap your brush into the Black Wax, then tap the end into the lid to get rid of any chunks. You don’t want chunks on the end of your brush.


I start at the corners and along the recessed edges, then along the moldings.


It looks kind of messy at first, but the wet Easy-Peasy Wax underneath will allow you to remove excess while blending it more easily.


If you need more wax, use up any excess wax on your lid first.


Moving quickly while the Easy-Peasy Wax is still wet, I grab a clean Applicator Pad, but you can also use a clean t-shirt.


I recommend having one on hand for getting into the small nooks and crannies of the moldings. Keep wiping back until you get the effect you want.


Next, I use my finger to add Dixie Belle’s Copper Gilding Wax to highlight some of the carved details.


I use my weakest finger which is my middle finger, but for some, it’s their ring finger. You want a gentle touch to apply the wax.


This is an oil Based wax, so you want this to be your last step since it doesn’t need to be sealed.


I usually don’t seal my gilding waxes, but if you do, wait 3-4 days before sealing.


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial & can’t wait to see your projects!


Make sure to follow me on all my social media platforms. I’m always sharing Free Painting Tutorials and Videos, plus easy tips and tricks for painting furniture!




Dixie Belle Products for this project:

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