Well, the rainy season is here in Southern California, and my garage is sitting in two inches of water. I’ve seen reccomendations to coat cast iron tool parts in paste wax before. My question is, what exactly is that. If I go to home depot and pick up a can of finishing wax, is that the right stuff?
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
Replies
Yes, paste wax for furniture will work very well.
The Boss is right. It's furniture wax you want -- not automotive wax.
> ....It's furniture wax you want -- not automotive wax.
I've seen that said several times but don't understand why?
Why?
...........
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
Dennis,
Auto waxes almost all contain silicone in their formulations and will create a lot of finishing problems if they contaminate the wood surfaces.
John W.
Thanks, John....
...........
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
In addition, many automotive waxes and polishes contain water to make them softer and spread easier.Howie.........
Why not automotive wax on machine tops?
JW may be right about silicone, I don't know.
I happened to talk with two grizzled, old Delta tech reps a couple of years ago, and somehow the subject came up. Both said that automotive waxes contain high moisture content, and could actually promote rust if applied to a bare metal surface. Remember, these waxes are formulated for going over a painted surface.
Made sense to me -- and just about everybody who should know about such things seems to recommend furniture wax for machines.
That said, someone will show up here with a post saying they've used auto wax for 30 years with no problems.
DENNIS,
Don't take this to the bank as I'm no chemist but I think it's the silly cones in the car wax that make them less desirable around wood working. They would probably transfer to the wood and make finishing problematic.
You anywhere close to Rockport?
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
A couple of issues ago, Wood Magazine tested a number of rust preventing products, including furniture paste wax. All failed within a day or two except for Boeshield T-9. The Boeshield lasted for the full length of there test. You might be able to get the issue at your local library.
Wow, I've used paste wax on all my machines here in florida and it has worked great. I can't imagine an environment more humid than here (OK, maybe the rainforests of Brazil). I haven't read their test, but man it must have been wet in their shop!
Mike
To promote a faster reaction, I believe Wood used a salt water. They prepared cast iron surfaces and divided the surface up. A specific product was applied to each area and then it was sprayed with the saline solution. The next day all the areas had rusted except the area treated with the Boeshield.
Wax is a poor preventor of water damage. Water vapor goes right through it. Try this test. Wax your tabletop and then spray on some water. The water will bead--all that means is that the wax has reduced the surface tension--but the next day there will be a little rust or discoloration spot under each drop of water. Wax will do a fair job of protecting metal from humidity but will have little affect on water drops. That's why you don't want to put a waterproof covering over your cast iron surfaces. It traps condensation underneath and rust spots develop.Howie.........
I find that paste wax works unless some water actually touches the surface and then all bets are off, the rust happens fast. Starett makes a good product but it stays oliy and I would not use in while working wood.
Plain old Johnson's Paste Wax works fine. I made the mistake of picking up some Minwax Finishing Paste Wax last year thinking, "Paste wax is paste wax." Nope! The Minwax product has virtually no oil content and actually gums up on the surface of tools. Johnson's may not test as good as some of the dedicated tool surface protection products, but is a heck of a lot cheaper. I keep a bottle of Empire Top Saver to wipe out any rust spots that develop, but I use it very rarely since I routinely wipe down the surfaces with Johnson's.
Another product that is used around the shops where I worked is a 'Mold Release' wax. It's even more oily than Johnson's.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Bill,
Can you still get "plain old Johnson paste wax"? I've always used original formular Simonize but discovered a few years ago that they no longer make it. A neighbor was having a garage sale this summer which included half a can of good old Simonize. That should last me a while but I may have to find something else when that runs out.
Chip
"Can you still get "plain old Johnson paste wax"? "
Yep. My wife picked up a can for me a few months ago on one of her grocery runs. My guess is that she got it at Walmart -- one of her favorite places! lol
Regards,Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
"I do my own thinking; therefore, I vote for the best person."I will think next Tuesday; therefore, George W. Bush is the only choice!"
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
I sure hope so. I have just a tiny bit left in a can I bough a few years ago.
I wipe Johnson's paste wax on all my tops regularly, and it works great. I get mine at Farm and Fleet, but they also sell it at Walmart (more readily available, I think, than F & F).
JC
I have used (the same can) for Johnson's for 30 years. But - I use it for lubrication rather than rust prevention. For rust I use Boeshield, and never a problem.
I believe FW did an article on rust preventives a few years back, but my archive CD ends at 2015. I'll try to dig through th epaper copies.
I've been using Trewax for 20 yrs+ and depending on amount of use it lasts for weeks to months. The trick seems to be the Carnuba wax in it which is very hard and doesn't volatilize/vaporize/sublime after the carrier disappears. I put it on with #00 steel wool, wait 15 minutes and rub with a rag. I'm also in So. Cal.
Edited 10/28/2004 1:37 pm ET by rob
I'll cast my vote for Johnsons Paste Wax or Butchers Wax. Both of these products are available in the cleaning supplies aisle at the King Kullen and Stop & Shop (chain food markets) by me. Other national chains should carry them too. If all else fails, find a really old and dusty local hardware store. They will definitely have them. When all else fails, you can also try either of the 'great big box' stores.
SawdustSteve Long Island, NY (E of NYC)
Is Butchers a brand, or is it the kind of wax? Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
Butchers is a brand. If memory serves me correctly, look for a pumpkin orange can with black (and white) printing. It's just a good brand of furniture wax. I believe it has more 'hard wax' in it and leaves a great finish. SawdustSteve
My shop is not insulated so there is a lot of moisture . I use the Johnson and Johnson paste was on all of my tools. It keeps them from rusting. Also makes everything slide across the table tops with ease. I keep the bottoms of my jigs waxed and it makes them slide across my table saw much better as well. No more rust problems either.
How about a sump pump?
The only thing I know about a sump pump is the one that I have in my refugium filter for my aquarium. I don’t think my fish would do as well as my tools with the J and J paste wax.
This is definite proof of a space time continuum
Connect the sump pump to the flux capacitor and everything will be as it was in the past... but WHICH past??
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