How To Make And Use Beeswax Furniture For Wood Finishing

Making your beeswax is relatively easy once you decide upon a recipe. Generally, wood wax finishing requires beeswax, purchased in pellets or blocks from many places, and some oil. There are various oils: almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil, and linseed oil. Some add turpentine and alcohol to their interpretation of wood wax. There may be more. In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn how to make and use beeswax furniture for wood finishing with top tips, materials and ideas.

Many videos exist from furniture makers, craftspeople, and those who make stuff. They each work with different ingredients to make their wax polish and decide for themselves which they like best.

Why Choose Beeswax Polish?

Beeswax has been used for centuries as a natural wood finish. Here are some reasons why beeswax polish is an excellent choice:

1. Natural and Non-Toxic: Beeswax is a natural product, making it safe for use around children and pets. It doesn’t emit harmful fumes, unlike some chemical-based polishes.
2. Protective Barrier: Beeswax creates a protective layer that repels water and stains, helping to prevent damage to the wood.
3. Enhances Wood Grain: It brings out the natural beauty and grain of the wood, giving it a warm and rich appearance.
4. Easy to Apply: Beeswax polish is straightforward to make and apply, making it an accessible option for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

How to Make Beeswax Furniture Polish

Ingredients

• Beeswax: Available in blocks or pellets, beeswax is the primary ingredient. You can purchase it from beekeeping suppliers, health food stores, or online.
• Carrier Oil: Common choices include olive oil, jojoba oil, or mineral oil. The oil helps the beeswax to spread easily and adds extra nourishment to the wood.
• Essential Oils (optional): For a pleasant scent and additional properties, you can add essential oils like lemon, lavender, or cedarwood.

Equipment for Beeswax Furniture Wood Finishing

• Double boiler or a makeshift one using a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water.
• Grater or knife for cutting the beeswax.
• Measuring cups or a kitchen scale.
• Stirring utensil (preferably wooden or silicone).
• Small jars or tins with lids for storage.

Instructions

1. Measure Ingredients: The typical ratio is 1 part beeswax to 3 parts oil. For example, 1 cup of beeswax pellets to 3 cups olive oil.
2. Melt the Beeswax: Place the beeswax in the double boiler. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the beeswax is fully melted. Avoid direct heat as it can degrade the quality of the wax.
3. Add the Oil: Once the beeswax is melted, slowly add the oil, stirring continuously to ensure it mixes thoroughly with the wax.
4. Add Essential Oils (optional): If you want to add a scent, mix in a few drops of your chosen essential oil now.
5. Pour into Containers: Carefully pour the hot mixture into your storage containers. Allow it to cool and solidify completely before sealing the jars.

Making and Using Beeswax: Furniture Wood Finishing

Then you may add a scent to your Wood wax mixes, like lemon or orange. That is entirely a personal preference. They mix the ingredients by ratio, equal amounts of beeswax, whatever oil you use, and Linseed oil. Mix a ratio of 1/1/1, or if you use two ingredients, oil and beeswax, mix a ratio of 50/50. One recipe calls for ½ cup beeswax and 2 cups olive oil. This makes a lot of Wax polish, five or six years’ worth for most of us. You will not use this wax much soon, so don’t try to mix tons. Start small.

Have a small jar on hand to store the wax. Now, this wax is messy and not easy to clean up. Cover your counter space so drips and spills will not matter. Once you use a pan for this, you will not want to use the pan for anything else again. So it is best to use an old, small pan or go to a thrift store and buy one. Buy also a measuring cup. A Pyrex measuring cup will do nicely.

Beeswax is very flammable, so you will not heat this over a direct flame or heater. Put the beeswax in one container and set it in a pan of boiling water over medium heat. Heat until it has melted for Beeswax Furniture.

Scents tend to be destroyed by heat.

Now add whatever oil you are using and, finally, any extras. Scents should be added after the wax is finished. Linseed oil comes here. The beeswax pellets will begin to solidify at this point because the oil and other ingredients are not hot.

There are two things you can do. Continue to heat the wax slowly until it is all one melted mass, or stir the wax to mix the heat and cause the pellets to melt. Continue to mix until the mixture is stable. The wax needs to be smooth and not have balls of beeswax pellets in the oil. The results are not pleasant on your wood.

If I had never made any wax and weren’t sure what to do, I would use 50 ml of beeswax and 100 ML of olive oil. When it was ready to go into a jar to solidify, I would add some lemon scent, about 1 Tbs.

Now to Apply it to the Wood: Beeswax Furniture Wood Finishing

It will deepen the natural color of the wood. Always rub with the grain, but to put on the wax, use a soft, smooth cloth. Use the wax sparingly. Just smear it on and let it dry. Wait 20 minutes. Do not buff until the wax is dry. The wax is done correctly if you can run your finger along with the wood, and the wood feels smooth and is shiny. It will not be glossy. This wood wax finish is on the surface and does not protect from water or staining, but it is rich.