Hi everyone.I use Kiwi brand black and brown shoe paste to wax oak after I have rubbed in several coats of Watco.It seems like a read about this somewhere.It adds years to the finished product,of course,because the wax settles in the pores and accentuates them.The look is fabulous.
It occured to me,however,that perhaps this practice is not good.It kind of smells like it has a petroleum constituent to it.Could this be deleterious to an oil finish?
My prior reasoning had been that the constituents of the paste are (probably) mainly beexwax and/or carnauba wax and mink oil for suppleness.Furthermore if it is safe enough to use on leather it probably wouldn’t hurt any kind of wood finish one could apply,even an oil finish.However I am thinking it is best to ask the pros anyway.Could there possibly be eventual problems using shoe paste instead of the more expensive proprietary furniture waxes.Thanks tons as always.Roland.
Replies
Roland,
Interesting....Kiwi paste shoe polish has been a part of my finishing "repretoire" for years. I'm not a chemist but, I've had no problems. I'm sure that if there is one around he/she will let you and I know that we are dumber than a box of hammers. I learned in the Army that Johnson's paste wax is good for a "spit shine" too....go figure.
Dano
yeah, I'll second that - I've used shoe polish for years, never had any trouble...
it's great for distressed finishes, too - set it on fire and play with the liquid, set it on fire again on the wood. great fun. if you have children, let them do it by themselves in the shop, with the machines running...
...just kidding. fire is dangerous. but it does create fun distressed finishes... just do it without the kids.
sb"readjustthetruth"
Scott,
Never tried that, it does sound like fun....Back when I was doing that sort of thing, my 20ga. Winchester Model 12 was part of my distressing operation. #8 bird shot from about 25 yards made excellent worm holes, 'course picking out the pellets could be a pain on your softer woods.....If pheasant were in season, I'd often mix "business" with pleasure.
Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
A trick I've used to 'antique' oak floors before applying a clear (polyurethane varnish) coating is to rub Black Oxide with a soft rag into the grain to accentuate it.
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Edited 4/6/2002 2:04:26 AM ET by IanG
All paste waxes contain a petroleum solvent/thinner. Most often it is mineral spirits or, in the case of BriWax, toulene. Shoe polish has mineral spirits.
on a die note about shoe polish, what kind of system do they use to make the colors? Dyes, Pigments? and if so what?
Don't know. If you are interested, contact a manufacturer and ask them or get their MSDS.
Edited 4/7/2002 2:41:19 PM ET by Howie
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