How to Beeswax a Table
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in beehives as a by-product when the honeybees masticate the pollen and flower nectar. Beeswax is used by the honeybees to create honeycomb cells where honey and pollen are stored. The color of the beeswax varies from nearly white to a brownish hue, but it is often yellow because of pollen oils and a resinous mixture called propolis. The beeswax is then taken off the comb and heated until it melts. Various ingredients are added, depending on the intended use for the beeswax. The resulting compound can be used for candles, lubricants or as wood polish.
Applying a beeswax finish to furniture has been a practice since the olden days. It preserves the wood and beautifies the furniture by making it gleam. Your furniture will also emit that sweet scent that comes from the natural properties of the beeswax.
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Things You'll Need
- Linseed oil
- Saucepan
- 1 lb. beeswax
- 1 pt turpentine
- Double boiler
- Cotton cloth
- Wool cloth
Instructions
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1
Put the linseed oil in a saucepan, then heat it until it reaches its boiling point. Set it aside to cool a little. Don't allow the linseed oil to boil for long or it will assume a dark color.
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2
Melt a pound of beeswax in the double boiler and then remove it immediately from the heat. Don't heat beeswax in a saucepan because it is a highly flammable material and can easily catch fire once you subject it to direct heat.
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3
Add the linseed oil to the melted beeswax, then add a pint of turpentine while continuously stirring the mixture. The best turpentine for this type of mixture would be the odorless kind.
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4
Lightly apply a thin layer of beeswax wood finish using a soft cotton cloth, then buff the surface using a wool cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have a double boiler, use one large pot and a smaller pot that fits into it.
Apply the finish while it is still warm. Reheat your beeswax mixture before using it, if needed.
Don't use this finish on kitchen tables where a lot of food preparation takes place because this could leave unsightly stains on your polish. This type of polish is best used for ornamental side tables and shelves.
