Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Blue Mountains
    Age
    61
    Posts
    0

    Default traditional wax drying out?

    My jar of traditional wax seems to have become a bit harder or dryer. It is still usable but is not like the margerine consistency as when I first opened it. I used it the other day and found it much harder to buff than when new.

    Is there something I can do or add to restore it to its original creamy state?

    Peter
    The time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1

    Default

    You sure? Maybe it is just harder 'cos it is cold.

    I've had Trad Wax for years & never had the problem.

    The Shelawax cream has separated & the EEE has gone hard, both can be fixed by stirring, but the Trad wax has never been a problem.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Jimboomba. Qld
    Posts
    0

    Default

    I always thin my wax out with a few drops of Gum Turps.

    Works for me.


    Cheers

    Steve

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Blue Mountains
    Age
    61
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers View Post
    You sure? Maybe it is just harder 'cos it is cold.

    I've had Trad Wax for years & never had the problem.

    The Shelawax cream has separated & the EEE has gone hard, both can be fixed by stirring, but the Trad wax has never been a problem.
    I wondered that too Cliff, it has been pretty cold here lately. Then I thought maybe I should just warm it up a bit, but the instructions say it is adversely affected by heat so keep it cool. The sun is finally shining here today so I might put it out in the sun and see what happens.

    Fineboxes, is gum turps the same as mineral turpentine from Bunnings? (as used for cleaning paint brushes)
    The time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Jimboomba. Qld
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 3 toed sloth View Post
    I wondered that too Cliff, it has been pretty cold here lately. Then I thought maybe I should just warm it up a bit, but the instructions say it is adversely affected by heat so keep it cool. The sun is finally shining here today so I might put it out in the sun and see what happens.

    Fineboxes, is gum turps the same as mineral turpentine from Bunnings? (as used for cleaning paint brushes)
    Gum Turpentine is a thin, oil with a unique eucalyptus smell.
    Different to Mineral Turpentine,
    It's is highly refined and is mainly used as an artist thinner for painting in Oils and making furniture polish.
    I'm sure the Big Green Box would sell it under Pure Gum Turps
    Great for restorers when the job is finished I always give a liberal sprinkling in the draws they remember the smell long after the price.

    Cheers

    Steve

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Blue Mountains
    Age
    61
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Thanks Steve I'll definitely have a look next time I'm in the BGS. Looks like it was just the cold , I've had my T/wax in the sun for a while and it is now a lot softer. Still learning.

    Thanks for the replies
    The time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Albury Well Just Outside
    Posts
    2,966

    Default

    Sometimes it does help to drop in on the Ubeaut site.

    TRADITIONAL WAX

    This is an extract from the site.

    To fix melted Traditional Wax: Put container in hot water to melt contents, when melted stir with non
    metal stirrer until mix begins to cool & thicken or the harder waxes may drop out of the mix.

    To rejuvenate hard Traditional Wax: Do the same as above but, add a small amount of mineral turpentine.
    (for half a jar add 1 tablespoon, if really dry add 2 tablespoons too much will just make it runny

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Blue Mountains
    Age
    61
    Posts
    0

    Default Re: traditional wax drying out?

    Great stuff thanks Christos. I did scan the site but obviously not well enough

    Hot water will be quicker and easier than sunlight
    Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
    The time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1

    Default

    That looks very similar to what post 2 & 3 said.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Grovedale (Geelong) Victoria
    Age
    75
    Posts
    9,665

    Default A bit on turpentine

    If you must thin Traditional Wax I recommend using Mineral Turpentine - More readily available, cheaper and much safer to use than Gum Turpentine/Pure Turpentine.

    We use only mineral turps as the natural product no matter what it's called can cause some unwanted side effects if absorbed through the pores of the skin not the least of these being kidney failure and mental problems.

    As an organic solvent, its vapor can irritate the skin and eyes, damage the lungs and respiratory system, as well as the central nervous system when inhaled, and cause renal failure when ingested, among other things. Due to the fact that turpentine can cause spasms of the airways particularly in people with asthma and whooping cough, it can contribute to a worsening of breathing issues in persons with these diseases if inhaled.

    Theory goes that anything with high aromatics can be hazardous to health.
    Weird thing is that the petrochemical versions are usually much safer to use.

    Moral of this little rant....
    Pure/natural isn't always best.

    Gum Turpentine is also known as:
    • pure turpentine
    • spirit of turpentine
    • oil of turpentine
    • wood turpentine


    Cheers - Neil

    PS The aromatics in Traditional Wax are from added essential fragrance oils and are not harmful.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Blue Mountains
    Age
    61
    Posts
    0

    Default

    ....and learning....and learning.....

    After my experiment yesterday I am thinking the wax hasn't actually dried out but was just less "creamy" due to the very cold and damp conditions when I used it about a week ago, making it a bit harder to apply and a lot harder to buff off.

    The consistency certainly improved with just a couple of hours in the sun.

    So today I have a nice cedar side table I've made with 3 coats of shellac. A light sand with 400 grit, a light rub with 0000 steel wool and I'll be ready to apply some (warmed up) wax. I am a huge fan of the stuff, the finish is beautiful to look at and silky smooth.
    The time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
    Age
    85
    Posts
    632

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 3 toed sloth View Post
    I am a huge fan of the stuff, the finish is beautiful to look at and silky smooth.
    Me too.
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Tooradin,Victoria,Australia
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,515

    Default

    beautiful to look at and silky smooth.
    Me too.
    Modest too.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
    Age
    85
    Posts
    632

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by View Post
    Modest too.
    At my age not even Trad Wax could make me silky smooth and beautiful to look at.
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

Similar Threads

  1. Drying time for Ubeaut traditional wax
    By Dengue in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 12th October 2012, 03:50 PM
  2. EEE and Traditional Wax
    By Groggy in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 4th September 2009, 11:13 AM
  3. Traditional wax
    By schaf in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 1st June 2009, 12:43 AM
  4. Traditional Wax
    By Dion N in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 9th December 2005, 09:03 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •