Those in the latter camp must content themselves with the fact that finishes of any type – poly, shellac, lacquer, wax – all change the wood's appearance. While they accentuate the grain and beauty of the wood, they also darken and deepen its color. This is usually a good thing. But not always.
There are some disadvantages to using beeswax as a finish. It is not very waterproof and does not provide much protection against water damage and other stains. Furthermore, beeswax is not very rub or wipe durable and may require periodic maintenance. It is not very glossy and provides a relatively low shine.
Beeswax does not change the color of the wood surface. It not only provides a glossy finish but also serves as a layer of protection for your furniture. It covers the wood surface, thus retaining the color of the wood for extended periods of time.
Beeswax contains high-carbon paraffin which not only feeds into the wood but also seals and protects its surface, especially from moisture and sunlight. This ensures much needed durability especially for those furniture that are left sitting next to an open window or door, exposed to damp winds or even rainstorms.
Wood Oil: Offering more durability than a wax polish, Wood oils are easy to work with, very easy to repair (sand down scratches then reapply) but they do have slower drying times. Wood Varnish: Forming a seal on the surface of the wood, varnishes are the strongest of all wood finishes.
Beeswax furniture polish is great for any type of wood because it brings out the natural colour. Whether you are polishing mahogany, maple, walnut, cherry, or teak, keep in mind that over time, beeswax on wood will lead to a slight darkening over time.
Beeswax is suitable for all wooden surfaces
Our Beeswax Polish is designed for use on modern and antique internal wood furniture, including wooden veneers. It can even be used to treat natural woods including: beech, mahogany, oak, pine, teak, walnut, and yew.
Wax or polish with high content of beeswax is ideal for treating and polishing your oak furniture. Not only does the wax nourish the wood, but it helps to create a protective seal which will go some way to preventing the wood from cracking or splitting.
POLY FIRST – WAX SECOND
NEVER the other way around. Just keep in mind that WAX IS ALWAYS LAST.
Sand the wood up through the sandpaper grades, From 180, 240 up to 320 grit. This will help when applying the wax. Having a fine sanded surface will prevent too much of the wax being absorbed forcing it to sit on the surface.
Odie's Dark Wax, a rich dark finishing traditional hard wax, contains natural oxidizing oils that darken wood not only when applied, but also as wood ages.
There are several simple, affordable ways to make wood darker that you can do right at home. By using a chemical wood stain, or trying a more natural stain like coffee or black tea, you can give the wood in your home the dark finish you're looking for.
Liberon Beeswax paste is the ideal furniture wax for pine or oak surfaces. It is especially good for unsealed wood as it helps prevent drying out by feeding the wood.
Basic Recipe for Beeswax Polish
45g oil (olive oil, Hazelnut oil, linseed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil all work well – some products even use avocado oil!)
Even though beeswax starts out pure white when the bees make it, by the time we humans harvest the wax, it has changed color due to honey and pollen exposure in the hive. To get the wax back to its pure white color, wax processors either use a natural filtration system (the kind our apiaries use) or chemicals.
Beeswax is an all-natural substance that can be used to make candles, cosmetics, and molds. If you want, you can easily add color to beeswax creations by melting beeswax with dye. This can be an exciting project to keep you occupied for an afternoon.
Two applications: Sand lightly in between coats with 220-400 grit sandpaper after overnight dry. Or use wet dry sandpaper and sand while coating is wet. Then polish until perfectly smooth. Applying Warm: A warm application is a master wood worker secret.
Paste wax can be applied directly over prepared bare or stained wood; thinned shellac is recommended as a sealer coat. Sealer stains should be applied directly over prepared bare wood; no other sealer is required. Open-grained woods should be filled before a wax finish is applied; any paste filler is compatible.
Waxing furniture adds another layer of protection and can draw out the natural colouring of your wood. It's an excellent option for wood that's old or new and keeps it in tip-top condition for longer.
Tung oil Uses
Because it doesn't darken and is resistant to mould, it is widely used on interior and outdoor furniture, wooden toys, cabinets and musical instruments such as guitars and more.