In fire mode again. Alison has just left the farm and I had to stay to get our first delivery of a tonne of hemp stock feed. The things one does.
Not being one to wait around I am having a go at making some beeswax wood polish for our mates at Raw Vintage. Hard to decide exactly what ingredients or ratios to use but here are some guidelines that will hopefully keep me between the lines.
BEESWAX WOOD FINISH (for bare wood)
1 pound beeswax
1 pint turpentine (odorless, if you can find it)
1 pint boiled linseed oil
Melt wax. Remove wax from heat source, then stir in turpentine and oil. Before applying to bare wood, warm the mixture to achieve better penetration. Apply with a soft cloth, let dry, then buff with a wool cloth. Old coats can be removed with an organic solvent such as turpentine. This can also be used on leather. (Another wood finish can be made with 1 pound beeswax and 1 pint turpentine, omitting the linseed oil.)
BEESWAX WOOD CONDITIONER (for previously finished wood)
1 ounce beeswax
1 pint turpentine
2 cups water
1 ounce Ivory soap flakes
Shred wax into turpentine; cover and leave in a warm spot. Shake container from time to time.
Bring 2 cups water to a boil.
Add soap and stir until dissolved. Add it to the wax/turpentine, stirring briskly until an emulsion forms.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: Beeswax melts at 143-148 degrees. It is pliable at 100 degrees. All waxes will ignite explosively when they reach their flash point temperature. To melt beeswax safely, place it in the top of a double boiler, or place the container of wax in a larger container of hot water. Do not melt beeswax in a microwave, as it could become hot enough to ignite. Do not cover the beeswax while melting in a container of water, as steam may condense on the inside of the cover resulting in water in the wax.
MEASURING TIP : To measure a small amount of beeswax, grate it before melting.
Here are some links to other great beeswax based product recipes.
http://www.rachelssupply.com/bwax.htm
http://www.esoulshine.com/recipes.htm
Update.
Still waiting for feedback from Raw Vintage on our first 3 batches. A friend from Canada just sent me this link to a range of beeswax products that has me buzzing.
http://www.claphams.com/Home_Page.php