Turpentine Oil (also called Spirit of Turpentine or Turps) is the traditional oil used in furniture polish and has that smell which can remind you of old mahogany furniture. However, it’s toxic so it’s best not to use turps in polish for food items such as bowls or chopping boards! Because of this very characteristic, beeswax is quite suitable if you have small, infrequent jobs. You only need a single jar of beeswax in your shop, and it can stay useful indefinitely. This is quite an economical solution for those who want something that will last a long time. Disadvantages Of Beeswax Finish It’s not hard to reapply beeswax since you don’t have to completely remove the previous layer. However, having to reapply the protection once every few weeks – depending on how regularly you use your wooden item – can be a hassle.

A Double Boiler:the safest way to melt the wax is over a double boiler on the stove top. Remember: wax is flammable, so take care to not melt the wax directly in a hot pot. A double boiler is heated with hot water, and acts as a buffer between the heat and the wax. if using the hard wax for wood turning or lathes, hold the polish in a cloth against the revolving lathe and the friction will melt the wax and spread it evenly over the surface. Sometimes people ask how to use solid beeswax on wood – this is possible (especially if using a lathe to soften the wax) but beeswax by itself is very hard so an easier way to apply beeswax to wood is to follow one of these homemade beeswax polish recipes. And finally… Unfortunately, this also makes the wax attract dust and dirt, so you will need to clean and polish waxed surfaces more regularly. When to use beeswax and when to use polyurethane? When you’re looking for a durable yet natural protective wood wax, Walrus Oil is one of the best options available.

How to Oil Wood

Beeswax isn’t just easy to apply to your workpiece either. It is pretty easy to get rid of any unwanted beeswax you have applied to your workpiece too. If you have overapplied beeswax on the surface of your workpiece all that you need to do is apply some solvent to the affected area and the beeswax will come right off. This is great considering that synthetic wood treatments often require the entire surface to be sanded and refinished.

Here are some nice variations: Polish wooden bowls and utensils For wooden Chopping Boards and Bowls Next, buff the wax into the wood using a second clean cloth. Finally, let the wax dry for at least an hour before using the cutting board again. With proper care, your beeswax-treated cutting board will last for years to come. How Often Should You Apply Beeswax to Wood?Wondering what waxing does to wooden surfaces? Well, Beeswax wood polish was initially designed primarily as means of protecting wooden surfaces from things like impact, abrasion, moisture, ambient heat, and even insects. When applied to wood, beeswax creates a coating that eventually hardens to create the aforementioned protective layer. It doesn’t stop there though, beeswax then seeps deep into the fibers of the wood and bonds with it, to ensure both interior and exterior protection.

As we’ve mentioned, beeswax is not very durable and can be dented or scratched with just a little bit of a scrape. If you want the finish to remain new and shiny, regular reapplication is definitely needed.The odd spill from a cup here and there, is unlikely to do permanent damage. But I would strongly advise against using wax as a finish on outdoor wooden fences. Animal Oils – these can be great for leather polish and include Lanolin (sheep grease) or tallow (beef fat)