Members Holzmann Posted November 22, 2012 Members Report Posted November 22, 2012 Hello all, I've recently started using 50/50 (by weight) beeswax/neatsfoor polish I brewed up myself and I have a few questions; My resulting finish is quite hard and applying it with my fingers as recommended in other posts is rather difficult. Aside from warming it up, is there a way to tweak the formula to bring it to a consistency more like shoe polish? Perhaps increase the amount of neatsfoot? Also, I've been thinking about making some up in quantity. Are there any long(ish) term storage issues I need to consider? I have access to new quart cans (unused paint cans). Any reason not to use one as my melting/storage vessel? Thanks in advance, Nat Quote
mlapaglia Posted November 24, 2012 Report Posted November 24, 2012 I did 50/50 by weight and its the consistency of really thick tooth paste. Softer than shoe polish. Id add a little more neatsfoot oil at a time till it softens up. Since it will need to cool in order to tell put a little on a cold spoon to cool it down fast to see how firm it is. Id start with 1/8 part more oil. If you used a cup each add 1 oz by weight to see if that works. increase as needed. A new can should be ok to store it in. Quote The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. Bruce Lee
Members The Grizzly Posted February 8, 2013 Members Report Posted February 8, 2013 I use a 3 part mixture that contains beeswax, paraffin and neatsfoot oil. The paraffin keeps it from hardening up too much without requiring the use of a lot of oil. I melt mine up in an old pot and pour it into jelly jars. Quote Craig Collier ~Grizzly Custom Knives~
Leela Valley Leather Posted February 9, 2013 Report Posted February 9, 2013 When you mention "paraffin" I assume you are referring to liquid paraffin and not wax? Quote
Members The Grizzly Posted February 10, 2013 Members Report Posted February 10, 2013 No, block paraffin wax found at the grocery store in the food canning section. Usually under the brand "Gulf Wax". Quote Craig Collier ~Grizzly Custom Knives~
Members footrat Posted February 23, 2013 Members Report Posted February 23, 2013 If you're doing large batches of this, Hobby Lobby and other stores have slabs of beeswax and parafin wax. They also have jars for storage. Quote
Leela Valley Leather Posted February 24, 2013 Report Posted February 24, 2013 No, block paraffin wax found at the grocery store in the food canning section. Usually under the brand "Gulf Wax". Interesting, the paraffin wax here (Australia), is actually HARDER than the bees wax. Hence my question about the liquid paraffin. Quote
Members Randy valensin Posted February 24, 2013 Members Report Posted February 24, 2013 I am completly lost. What is this mixture used for? Quote
Members Matt S Posted February 24, 2013 Members Report Posted February 24, 2013 I have noticed differences between paraffin waxes sed in candles. Melting down one batch of yealights resulted in a crumbly crystalline mess. Quote
Members The Grizzly Posted February 25, 2013 Members Report Posted February 25, 2013 Randy- This mixture is used to treat sheaths/holsters and other leather goods to be extremely water resistant. You can apply it any number of ways, I apply mine hot (not hot enough to burn you) to an already warmed sheath. It will drink up a bunch of the mixture and harden some as it does. Quote Craig Collier ~Grizzly Custom Knives~
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