Beeswax-Oil Mix

[Sovran81]

Thank you Chuck for your insight.

[ChuckBurrows]

You're welcome - and BTW - a mix of tallow (or other animal fat such as pure lard), oil, and usually wax is known as Dubbin, and is an old saddlers/harness makers mix for treating leather - there are a bunch of recipes out tthere and IIRC it is still made commercially in the UK - check with saddle shops or the Le Provo leather supply house http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=leprovo+leather&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leprevo.co.uk%2F&ei=xJcIT4_-Bu3OiALO8qmjCQ&usg=AFQjCNFCuENyTt_oHuNE4nXu9a_W15ci5g&sig2=h7cxHUZnxy89Xbqfw7Afng

[Chavez]

Thanks Chuck!

From what I've read about the wax-oil mix it seems like a good flesh side sealer.

I guess I'll just have to experiment and try the mix out=)

[Sovran81]

I am currently using a mix of tallow, beeswax, pure soap, and glycerin. Being the cheap bastage that I am buying something I can make much cheaper is wasting leather money. LOL My current mix works nice and can be cut with water if it dries out a little but that is part of the problem. I have been trying to find a oil that will work well in the mix that will help prevent it from drying out completely in the leather. Recent google searching has told me the following. That almost all oils oxidize to different amounts depending on the size of the molecular chain and if it is a saturated or poly-unsaturated oil. Heat also plays a large part in it, but there is not much that can be done about that since we are dealing with a hydro-carbon based molecule and if heat isnt used in the processing of the oil it is used for pasteurizing food oils. All the science aside( most of which I have a hard time understanding let alone explaining) it seems the best oil for the application is coconut oil. Within the next few weeks I will make up a small test batch and report the results if anyone is interested.

[Wheels]

Does anyone have an opinion about why some receipes add parafin to the mix. What does the parafin wax do? Is it used to cut the cost of the mix since the beeswax is kind of expensive?

Wheels

[Spence]

I'd be interested in the coconut oil test results. I have two 5-gallon tubs of it, left over from my wife's soap making days.

[HellfireJack]

As far as I know paraffin adds rigidity and hardness to the all otherwise easily malleable mix.

[Sovran81]

A cheap supply for beeswax is the hardware store. The seals used for toilet bowls are made from beeswax. I get them for $1 each.

[oldtimer]

What do you guys think about mixing oil with carnauba wax, instead of bees wax? carnauba wax gives a very shiny finish

/ Knut

[Sovran81]

What do you guys think about mixing oil with carnauba wax, instead of bees wax? carnauba wax gives a very shiny finish

/ Knut

I know nothing about it so I did a quick google. With its high melting point and poor solubility in water or ethanol I think it would be hard to emulsify it into the dressing. On the other hand, one of its uses is the shiny coating on candies. so the question that comes to my mind is with its melting and solubility properties how do you ever get past the coating and get to the candy. So there is something I am missing with its use. Figure out how to emulsify it easily and it might work.