An alternative to Durosil Wax?

[Sheppa]

Hi

Could anyone suggest an alternative to Johnson's Durosil Paste Wax - that would preferably give the same results?

I have many hand carved items from the Solomon Islands in beautiful woods such as Rosewood and Ebony, which were all hand polished using this wax. The ebony in particular is polished to such a high gloss it almost doesn't look like wood.

Since Johnson's no longer make this wax (on this side of the world anyway) I have tried Howard's Feed and Wax and Mirotone Mirowax 738 and the results are sub-par to the Durosil wax.......my wallet can't afford too many more misses - so I am looking to you bright knowledgeable people for some guidance!!

Thanks

Sheppa

[RETIRED]

Our benevolent dictator perhaps? TRADITIONAL WAX

[Sheppa]

Many thanks .

I haven't actually met anyone that has used the Durosil paste. Having had a look at the info about the traditional wax - I'm still at a loss as to if the product will give the same shine? The ebony carvings in particular, have such a high gloss finish to them after using the durosil paste - almost mirror like - that I'm holding back on polishing those until I find the right product. The other thing with the Johnson's product was, being a lazy wood enthusiast, it didn't take much in the way of polishing to make them look good??? ;-) Have you had much experience with the traditional wax?

[underfoot]

I haven't actually met anyone that has used the Durosil paste.

Pleased to meet you Sheppa.
I used to use Durosil for years till they stopped making it..(I particularly liked the price)
I now use traditional wax and find it pretty good

[Sheppa]

I now use traditional wax and find it pretty good

Thanks Underfoot

I'll bite the bullet and buy some I think...... I have just polished a hand carved rosewood coffee table with the Mirowax, and as much as it brings out the depth of colour and pattern in the grain, it just doesn't give the lustre/sheen that the durosil paste does!!

Thanks for replying

regards
Sheppa

[Mr Brush]

Isn't Mirowax a similar product to the fabled Wattyl Danish Wax?? I have a small amount of Mirowax scrounged from someone else's huge tin, and in appearance it looks more like vaseline. I don't think the Mirowax is supposed to give a high gloss finish - it comes up more like satin when used over shellac?

If so, its nothing like Ubeaut Traditional Wax in composition or application.

Curious to know more, as I was just about to go and buy a tin of the stuff.....

[Mr Brush]

For more of a shine, how about Ubeaut EEE??? Maybe the Durosil also contained a fine abrasive power to give a high gloss?

Picked up a tub of the EEE at last year's WWW show, and its a fantastic product.

[wheelinround]

I still use Durosil Wax spareingly its the last of it sadly not much left, yet to use Traditional Wax

[Sheppa]

Isn't Mirowax a similar product to the fabled Wattyl Danish Wax?? I have a small amount of Mirowax scrounged from someone else's huge tin, and in appearance it looks more like vaseline. I don't think the Mirowax is supposed to give a high gloss finish - it comes up more like satin when used over shellac?

If so, its nothing like Ubeaut Traditional Wax in composition or application.

Curious to know more, as I was just about to go and buy a tin of the stuff.....

Hi Mr Brush

I've never used Danish Wax. You're right on all accounts - consistency is more like vaseline and it does come up more like satin. I would highly recommend this product if that is the finish you are after. Application is easy (which I hand polished) and it has really bought out the colour in the timber. I think I was had by an over zealous salesman on the finish of the product though!!! It would take a month of Sunday's to really make it shine .

What I loved about the Durosil paste was that you didn't need to expend a lot of energy to get a nice shiny finish. As I am not familiar with the traditional wax, is it any easy product to apply and hand polish to a shiny finish? Since I have about 40 carvings to go and a toddler to attend to, I'm looking for an easy way out.

cheers

Sheppa

[Sheppa]

For more of a shine, how about Ubeaut EEE??? Maybe the Durosil also contained a fine abrasive power to give a high gloss?

Picked up a tub of the EEE at last year's WWW show, and its a fantastic product.

Again, is it an easy polish to use? I have many varied and intricate wood carvings. For example, a side table that has a lobster carved through the top with turtles, fish and manta rays and coral surrounding the lobster, with great detail (ie. lots of small holes). I use a toothbrush to apply the polish and a soft cloth to hand buff.

I have no idea what was in the durosil paste - I don't think it was a requirement to list ingredients at the time I bought the tin....

regards

Sheppa

[sood]

several months ago Durasil Paste Wax was available direct from S.C.Johnson in the States, cartons of six ,whether they will post to Australia at reasonable cost, I have not tried to order.

[Sheppa]

several months ago Durasil Paste Wax was available direct from S.C.Johnson in the States, cartons of six ,whether they will post to Australia at reasonable cost, I have not tried to order.

Unfortunately, Johnsons won't export it to Australia. I have had some luck finding it on ebay - so I think I will go in that direction. The only catch is, postage is 3 x the price of the product!! I can't help myself - I think I will go with that option. The more info I have found online regarding the Johnson's wax paste, makes me think that nothing else is close in comparison.

Thanks to everyone for their help and replies

kind regards

Sheppa

[ubeaut]

You will never know if anything is close in comparison if you don't try anything else.

Traditional is as good as anything else on the market and better than most. It is quick and easy to use and unlike beeswax pastes it is easy to buff even in extreme cold. It also will not show finger marks of pick up dust, dirt, etc like many others (when used correctly)

Below is one of the 3 coats of arms I carved for the Victorian Supreme court, Courts of hAppeals some 15 years ago. They were finished with with a weak wash of white shellac and waxed with Traditional Wax they have a brilliant glow to them as good as can be expected on Huon Pine.

Poor photo but back when it was taken the internet wouldn't take a big photo without taking an hour to load so it very low resolution and doesn't do the finish justice. Size (from memory) was about 650 wide x 980 high and 70mm deep it is carved quite fine in many sections and was easy to buff with the Traditional Wax. To my knowledge none of them has ever been polished again since being installed.

They can be seen in the background behind the judges in the court room scents from that classic Aussie movie The Castle.


Hope this is of some help. If it's of any further help I will be at the Brisbane Timber & Working With Wood Show next weekend demonstrating all of our products, so if you would like to see for yourself just come along.

Cheers - Neil

PS Our Traditional wax doesn't contain any carcinogens like some of the older floor type waxes used to (if it's old, if it's yellow, chances are it may contain a carcinogenic additive, unless it's made with pure uncoloured beeswax). Nor does Traditional Wax or any of our other products contain any silicone which is good for use on lino and cork floors but not necessarily very good for timber products,

MSDS for Traditional Wax and Information Sheet for Traditional Wax