finishing

[rakwetpaddle]

I finish my projects with boiled linseed oil, cut 25-50% turps. I am thinking of using bee's wax over the rubbed surface. Any input??

 

[Rob Stevens]

Which projects are you referring to Ralph?
Why beeswax? I use a combo of that with parafin to finish knife sheaths. It makes the leather hard and durable.

 

[rakwetpaddle]

Making canoe chairs and caneing them. Finishing the frames with linseed oil, thinned by 25-50% Wish to use bees wax for a final finish on the wood. Will it work? How does the finish finish?

 

[rakwetpaddle]

Rob;
Am making canoe chairs again. Finishing with linseed, thinned 25-50% Wish to use bees wax to finish the finish. Has anyone used this combination on wood? How does the finish, finish?

 

[Rob Stevens]

My experience is that beeswax has a dull sheen, but can be buffed. For chairs, you might want to use something that polymerizes, or at least hardens. Beeswax alone softens with heat, and can liquify if exposed to the sun.

 

[Jan Bloom]

Bees wax and linseed oil will provide very limited long term protection. Fine Woodworking did an article on oil and wax finishes many years ago. These finishes are fragile and require care. No, they were not used on violins.

 

[Thos Doran]

I use a 1:1:1 Linseed Oil, Turps, Beeswax mixture to periodically recondition interior furniture. It brings out color and sets up to a dull sheen but it doesn't go deep and remains soft. Like the man said, very fragile.

OTOH, 1:1 Oil and Turps is lovingly referred to as "boat juice" and I slather it on every part after gluing but before nailing and at the beginning and end of every season.