traditional wax drying out?

[3 toed sloth]

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

[Cliff Rogers]

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.

[fineboxes]

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

Works for me.


Cheers

Steve

[3 toed sloth]

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)

[fineboxes]

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

[3 toed sloth]

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

[Christos]

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

[3 toed sloth]

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

[Cliff Rogers]

That looks very similar to what post 2 & 3 said.

[ubeaut]

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.

[3 toed sloth]

....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.

[Chesand]

I am a huge fan of the stuff, the finish is beautiful to look at and silky smooth.

Me too.

[RETIRED]

beautiful to look at and silky smooth.

Me too.

Modest too.

[Chesand]

Modest too.

At my age not even Trad Wax could make me silky smooth and beautiful to look at.