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Homemade Beeswax polish? What to mix with?

2K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  HowardAcheson 
#1 ·
I'm thinking of buying sine beeswax to use as a polish for wood. I don't like using a poly or anything over my finish products and usually just hand polish them while staining. I also make cutting boards.

What would be good to mix with it? I heard turpentine but obviously don't want that on a cutting board. Should I just use the wax itself and call it good?
Thanks.
 
#8 · (Edited)
>>>> And using mineral oil for "food safe" applications.

Just a note, boiled linseed oil is as "non-toxic" as any other finish or glue.

But, that doesn't mean that it is a good choice for food preparation surfaces. BLO has a significant odor as it is curing. And, curing goes on for a very long time. The emitted odor will permeate clothing, cloth and foodstuffs.
 
#9 ·
An excellent treatment for wooden food preparation surfaces like cutting boards and butcher blocks is a mixture of mineral oil and either paraffin or beeswax. This is what is used on many commercial wood surfaces. It will last longer and be more protective than just mineral oil. Mineral oil can be found in most supermarkets in the pharmacy section or in a true pharmacy. Paraffin is found in the canning section of the store or in a hardware store.

Heat the oil in a double boiler and shave in some wax. The exact proportions are not critical--a 5-6 parts of oil to one part of wax will work fine. Stir the mixture until all the wax is liquefied. Apply the mixture heavily and let it set 10-12 hours or overnight. Next day do it again and continue until the wood will no longer absorb the finish. Let it set for 10-12 hours and then lightly scrape off any excess. Then buff it with a rag.

Reapply whenever the wood begins to look dry.

Never put a wood board in the dishwasher and don't soak it in dishwater for long periods.
 
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