The use of bee’s wax came up in another discussion. Reminded me that I was once told that traditional cabinet makers used bee’s wax diluted in terpentine to finish/seal the interior raw wood of solid wood cabinets. Does anyone have experince with that? What ratio of wax to terpentine should be used and would you measure that by weight or volume or whatever?
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Replies
I certainly wouldn't use turpentine as the solvent for wax to be used on interiors since it contains enough resins to give it a fairly lingering odor. Naptha would make a better solvent. I haven't done this but proportions can't be very critical since it only determines the consistency for application since the solvent essentially evaporates away.
In ordinary applications (not 1/16th" coating of wax) the wax offers practically no sealing or protection. It also seems to me that beeswax remains a bit tacky and can can attract dirt, so it would be pretty far down my list of things to experiment with.
If you want to seal cabinet interiors a light coat or two of shellac would be a much better choice in my opinion.
Thanks. I'll use shellac instead.
Steve covered it and in addition the wax has an odor as will the solvent that will remain in the cabinet at least in the near term.Gretchen
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