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Are you looking for a Natural Finish for your furniture? Discover the properties of Beeswax for Wood, and also how to prepare and apply it correctly
Beeswax for Wood
The use of waxes for the protection of wood is a very old technique, before all current chemistry, and which is still being used in certain areas. Among the natural waxes, beeswax is the most used, although not the only one, another that stands out is that of carnauba.
When the number of alternatives was much smaller, beeswax was even used in the wood of boats. However, currently, its scope is much smaller, basically solid wood interior furniture, handicrafts, and less and less on pallets.
Types of Beeswax to Protect Wood
Not all wood beeswax is the same. We can find them of different types. White and yellow are the most common. The latter is the one that allows the natural grain of the wood to be highlighted to a greater extent.
There are also colored ones, which can help us darken the wood or change the tone.
And of course, also, and from a commercial point of view, we can find them ready to apply and in combination with other materials such as coconut oil, silicones, etc.
Beeswax for Furniture Care
Made in Germany with natural components with beeswax and copra oil for all kinds of porous and waxed wood.
Characteristics of Beeswax for Wood
1.Natural:
Forget about toxic or environmentally harmful chemical compounds. This is a standard finish in wooden toys for youngsters that are made by hand.
2.Economic:
Not only the materials are inexpensive, but the tool required for the appliance also can’t be less.
It nourishes and protects the wood, although it doesn’t offer the amount of protection that other finishes offer.
3.Glossy finish:
We can also vary the extent of gloss counting on the number of layers and intensity of the polish.
It doesn’t create a water-proof layer, thus allowing the wood to breathe. Although on the opposite hand, it doesn’t protect against stains caused by spilling some sorts of liquids.
4.High maintenance:
With time and use, dust and dirt accumulate more easily than in other finishes, which forces to reapply a replacement layer of beeswax with some frequency. Although on the opposite hand, as we’ve already acknowledged, it’s quite simple and fast to try to do.
The First Thing is to Know the Material Needs:
Virgin or Pure Beeswax
Carnauba wax (optional). With this, a greater shine is achieved.
White spirit or turpentine (liquid distilled from the resin of some conifers such as pine).
Lint-Free Rags or Clothes
Note: To achieve a smoother and easier-to-apply mixture, we can substitute approximately 25% of the beeswax for paraffin.
The proportions.
100gr of beeswax, between 400-500 ml of turpentine (when the pore of the wood is open, a better proportion of wax is employed, therefore less amount of turpentine), 50 gr of carnauba wax.
Preparation of Beeswax for Wood
Since the wax in its pure state is solid it is necessary to heat it to make it liquid. For this, the wax is placed in a water bath, approximately and depending on the amount 15-20 min at 75-100 degrees.
Without letting it cool, mix it with the turpentine and stir until it’s a homogeneous compound. Now we will let it cool before applying.
The Application is Very Easy
With the cloth or crankpin, some use brushes although personally, it is not what we like the most, we apply the wax on the wood in circles. A small amount is taken with each pass and in case of having to remove excess product always in the direction of the grain.
Note: The wood must be previously prepared. You have to remove any previous finish and have the surfaces well sanded and clean. In the case of renovating a wax finish