wax or paraffin, like Gulf Wax used for canning and sold in supermarkets. Answer from oldtoolfool on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/beginnerwoodworking › how to lubricate wood drawer slides? wax?
r/BeginnerWoodWorking on Reddit: How to lubricate wood drawer slides? Wax?
October 7, 2020 -
I made a basic desk out of common lumber.
For the drawers, I didn't use ball-bearing slides in order to save money. So they are just wood sliding on wood. It's ok, but I'd like the action to be smoother.
What can I use to lubricate the wood-on-wood mechanism? I vaguely heard that wax might be an option but am open to hearing of a better product.
Ideally, it'd be cheap, easy to apply, and be long-lasting.
Wood Talk Online
woodtalkonline.com › topic › 28917-waxing-drawers
Waxing drawers - General Woodworking Talk - Wood Talk Online
September 23, 2018 - Hi, question....I’m doing my first drawers that are wood on wood and will wax them to slide smoothly. My question is.....should I finish (using arm r seal) and then wax or should I wax the drawer runners and not put finish on them? Also I have Renaissance wax, is this sufficient??
finishing - What can I coat a wooden drawer slide with to reduce drag? - Woodworking Stack Exchange
I have an old wooden desk with a middle draw that has a center support that the drawer slides back and forth on. The friction creates drag that prevents the opening and closing action from seeming smooth. What could I add to reduce the friction in the wood-on-wood slide? It is underneath the desktop, so appearance is not really an issue. ... A good go-to solution is wax... More on woodworking.stackexchange.com
Helping wood to slide well - Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum
Hello all, I'm a wood appreciator, not a worker, but I need some advice that I think this forum can provide. I recently bought a lovely old table (50 to 70 More on forum.canadianwoodworking.com
How to lubricate wood drawer slides? Wax?
wax or paraffin, like Gulf Wax used for canning and sold in supermarkets. More on reddit.com
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October 7, 2020What’s the best way to lubricate old drawers that only have wood to wood contacts?
I use paste wax on anything wood is sliding across. I’ve used it on desk and dresser drawers to great effect. More on reddit.com
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May 4, 2022Videos
How to Wax Drawer Guides - Today's Homeowner
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Old School Woodworking -The Secret to Smooth Wooden Drawer Slides!
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Use Candle Wax for Smooth Running Wooden Drawer Slides - YouTube
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How to Make Wooden Drawer Slides Run Smooth / Woodworking Pro Tip ...
How to Fix Sticking Dresser Drawers! #shorts ...
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Quick Tip: Waxing Drawer Slides - YouTube
UK Science Technician Community
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Wooden drawer runner lubricant?
January 28, 2025 - Science Technician Community For UK School and College Technicians
Facebook
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Are there better waxes for drawer slides?
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Dcdrawers
dcdrawers.com › home › custom drawers › how to make wood drawers…
How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier - 5 Tips - DC Drawers
July 17, 2023 - It’s recommended to use a white candle as it won’t leave behind any visible stains. Wax paper is coated with paraffin wax, which will transfer to the wood’s surface when applied.
Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › wood-drawers-candle-fix-37394954
Fix Sticky Drawers Using a Candle with This Easy Hack | Apartment Therapy
April 24, 2024 - Slide the drawer back in place. That’s it! This is a trick I picked up from my days editing at This Old House magazine, where seasoned contractor Tom Silva advised using wax to lubricate the sashes of antique windows. It works just as well on drawers that use the same wood-on-wood sliding mechanism and it’s been a go-to for me ever since.
Espacioeslava
espacioeslava.com › reviews › product › 528686
Wood Lubricant Paste Wax (5oz) - Fix Squeaky Doors ...
Pig Gloves Aksel Work Gloves - Tough Winter Gloves For Work & Play Outdoor Research
NC Woodworker
ncwoodworker.net › home › forums
Paraffin or Beeswax? Which one for drawer slide?
March 20, 2016 - North Carolina Woodworkers
A Traditional Life
atraditionallife.com › home › blog › how to use beeswax to deal with sticky, wooden drawers
How to Use Beeswax to Deal With Sticky, Wooden Drawers • A Traditional Life
May 11, 2023 - I quickly applied wax to other two. Even when loaded down with shirts, jeans, socks and such, the drawers still slid smoothing, without catching! Finally, I can get at our clothes without yanking the set across the floor. ... Now, let me be clear: my old wooden drawers still don't slide perfectly.
Amazon
amazon.com › drawer-wax-sliding-wood › s
Amazon.com: Drawer Wax Sliding Wood
Amazon.com: drawer wax sliding wood
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-best-way-to-lubricate-the-bottom-horizontal-drawer-with-no-side-joints-just-two-raised-pieces-of-wood-in-the-cabinet
What is the best way to lubricate the bottom horizontal drawer with no side joints, just two raised pieces of wood in the cabinet? - Quora
Answer (1 of 7): OQ: What is the best way to lubricate the bottom horizontal drawer with no side joints, just two raised pieces of wood in the cabinet? In other words, you have smooth wood sliding on smooth wood? Here are two: 1. The traditional method is to take out the drawer, turn it upside ...
WonderHowTo
macgyverisms.wonderhowto.com › how-to › make-sticky-stubborn-wooden-drawers-slide-more-smoothly-0146571
How to Make Sticky or Stubborn Wooden Drawers Slide More Smoothly << MacGyverisms :: WonderHowTo
April 29, 2013 - You can use just about anything you have that's waxy or has a similar texture, like silicone spray or plain beeswax. If you don't want to apply a coating, sometimes sanding the sides and runners will help drawers slide easier since wood chips ...
Top answer 1 of 3
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A good go-to solution is wax. Either some paste wax, or in a pinch you could rub a candle on it.
I've also rubbed a bar of soap on wooden drawer slides in the past, though I'm sure there are plenty of reasons not to use soap.
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candle wax as mentioned in the other answer.
Otherwise glue some hardwood strips on the surface. Hardwood doesn't wear as fast as softer woods and be able to provide a smoother surface.
There are some low-friction tapes you can stick to one or both of the surfaces.
USVintageWood
usvintagewood.com › how-to-make-wood-drawers-slide-easier
Woodworking Tips: How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier
March 26, 2025 - Instead, use paraffin wax, beeswax, candle wax, or silicone spray, which lubricate without staining or attracting dirt. For an oil-based option, dry graphite powder is a better choice as it leaves no residue.
Market House Restorations
markethouserestorations.com › tuesdaytips › 2019 › 1 › 21 › how-to-help-stubborn-wooden-drawers-slide-better
How to help stubborn wood drawers slide better!! #TuesdayTipsWithFallon — Market House Restorations
March 9, 2021 - · For today’s tip I recommend using a candlestick, tea light, a bar of soap or chunk of natural wax, like the kind that I used in the video from Country Chic Paint to help your wooden drawers slide well.
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Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › finishing, design, and finished projects › project finishing
Wax for Drawers | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
October 19, 2007 - And, based on how much I used for the table slides and how much is left in the can, I will probably have the same can for quite a while. ... I put a coat of 1 pound blond shellac on the drawer sides and front. Then I wax them on all sides with paste wax including the drawer runner.
Woodworking Talk
woodworkingtalk.com › home › forums › woodworking forum › general woodworking discussions
Wooden drawer guides and silicone oil | Woodworking Talk
October 2, 2021 - I have some "Melamine" edge banding that is very tough and slick. it has hot-melt glue on it that is heated to apply to the edge of a tabletop. it may be worth looking into to see if that will work for your project. ... Gulf wax. My go to dry lube.
Woodweb
woodweb.com › knowledge_base › Waxing_Wooden_Drawer_Runners.html
Waxing Wooden Drawer Runners
You can buy it in the canning section at the grocery store. Wax up the guides and drawer bottoms or sides that contact the guides very well, then move the drawers in and out to make them work nice and smoothly. From contributor D: Instead of wax, Mohawk's Slideez (#M750-1205) is a far superior ...
Target
target.com › p › impresa-6oz-jar-drawer-wax-sliding-wood-lubricant-to-reduce-unwanted-friction-metal-wood-drawer-slide-wax › - › A-93018029
Impresa 6oz. Jar Drawer Wax Sliding Wood Lubricant to Reduce Unwanted Friction - Metal/Wood Drawer Slide Wax : Target
Read reviews and buy Impresa 6oz. Jar Drawer Wax Sliding Wood Lubricant to Reduce Unwanted Friction - Metal/Wood Drawer Slide Wax at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.
Canadian Woodworking
forum.canadianwoodworking.com › home
Helping wood to slide well - Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum
November 6, 2018 - better answers may come along but I've used a candle, rubbed onto the sliding surfaces, when drawers have been sticky. ... There are other paste waxes you can use. I once used WD40 but it didn’t last. A candle rubbed will definitely work or canning paraffin.