Make a Historic Beeswax, Oil & Turpentine Furniture Polish Finish

[@divchief07ut]

Flammable turpentine next to an open flame and using your wife's bowl - You are a brave man!!!

[@kylecavanaugh805]

Linseed oil is very flammable as well, keep in mind he is using a makeshift double boiler as to not directly heat the mixture.

[@westcoaster3763]

Don't let fear guide your life

[@johnleavey356]

😂

[@Karen-lo5oi]

Did anybody die? Lol

[@johnking3863]

Both a woodworker and a chef of many years, and might I proffer this advice. gradually stir the cold ingredients into the hot, that is the turps and oil mixture into the hot bees wax which will prevent it curdling.

[@fordfan3179]

I'm in the middle of restoring an 1861 rifled musket. In my research for the correct finish I happened accross the 1860s US Army Ordinance specifications for their muskets and this is exactly the recipe for that. Thanks for a clever way to mix it.

[@WoodAndShop]

That's really cool to hear...thanks!

[@barkebaat]

I find this method easier : Put your beeswax in a glass jar. Put the glass jar in a pot and fill water around the jar (but not so much as to make the jar float / or put a thick bolt in with the beeswax to weigh it down) Heat water and wax - take your time ! When wax is melted, lift out of water & add the remaining ingredients. This saves pouring & cleaning another vessel.

[@mcoryea]

Thanks for the tip. Hot wax can make quite a mess to clean up.

[@hecate235]

You have to be careful not to drip water into your wax. I suggest canning tongs. If you don't know them, the tongs are used to place and retrieve jars from a hot water canner. Sturdy and they extend your grip by six inches.

[@rezamovie]

Is the mixture good for protecting wooden panel in my backyard ?

[@barkebaat]

@@rezamovie - It's better than nothing of course, but not something I'd recommend. I'd go for a coat or two of oil or paint -- something you can apply with a brush or roller; a wax finish usually involves a lot of rubbing and I guess the surface of your backyeard panel is too rough for that sort of treatment.

[@NoNo-mr7gj]

I do the same, much better method 👍

[@Aminuts2009]

Same recipe for blacksmith finish too. Been using it for years. Applied to warm iron, it makes a good durable finish for my outdoor items.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Thanks for reminding us of this traditional furniture polish. Thanks to you, i’m gonna have to find an excuse to use it.

[@WellOfEchoes]

Hi Josh, I have been looking for a suitable finish for a piece for my dining table since May and just came across your video tonight. It's exactly what I've been searching for. I wanted a natural, less glossy finish with a beautiful smell and you've provided all of these. Will go sourcing for products tomorrow. I live around 5 hours from Sydney so may have to wait until the next farmers markets for the beeswax though. Thank you so very much!

[@pfmedic]

I just made this and I couldn’t be more proud.

[@andrefonceca8871]

great choice of materials for wood working

[@DonJay00001]

Just cooked up a batch of this as my first wax based finish and it's great! It was easy to apply, dried super fast (with a bit of help from a blow dryer to work it in better). I have one question though: how long does it take for the smell of the turpentine to fade away after application?

[@TheCaptnHammer]

I am a beekeeper and just made my own turpentine through distillation over a campfire so this is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

[@12tribeff]

what did you distil?

[@googlepleasedonttakemyaccountf]

@@12tribeff Pine resin probably, if you want to make traditional turpentine. Turpentine is the ingredient that dissolves the rosin in the resin which is more of a solid on its own. Modern turpentine is inorganic as far as I know.

[@Coleton33Music]

I enjoy the intro music. Despite what others say, I like that the intro is long, and it's inspiring to watch traditional woodworkers do their work.

[@jochanan2137]

And ride the elevators up and down to listen to the music too. lol, just kidding.

[@MJ-nb1qn]

The song is “Hard times come again no more” by Steven Foster 1854

[@tshusker]

I've made similar but with pure flax oil with food-grade bees and carnauba waxes. Works great and is safe on surfaces that may touch food.

[@threeriversforge1997]

Turpentine is a "byproduct" of making Pine Tar, which is also a fantastic additive for this finish, especially on woods that will be in high moisture environments or outside. I prefer to use Pine Tar over the linseed oil, personally, because it keeps thing in the family, so to speak, and the pine tar has anti-microbial properties that help prevent mold/mildew blooms and bug infestations. It's not any more durable than the linseed oil, but it also does more to help the wood, in my estimation.

[@safecyber7996]

A liquid pine tar ?

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@safecyber7996 Yep. Great stuff. Comes in cans like paint. It's been used for thousands of years and you can even make it yourself if you have some pine and can build a fire. You can also buy it from places that deal with livestock - vets, country stores, etc. They use it as an antimicrobial/bacterial wound dressing. If you have a large wood/traditional boating scene near you, those kinds of stores might also carry it. I just buy mine online. Tenda, Bickmore, and Davey's are good brand names. There's one brand with a big horseshoe on the label that you should steer clear of. They cook their stuff down to a paste like axle grease and then you have to add turpentine to it to make it more usable. But for preserving wood, there's nothing better, imo. Sailors used it to paint their ships, ropes, and sails because it has that anti-rot stuff in it that preserved their organic material while they were out on the ocean. You can even mix in powdered pigments to make paint. Iron Oxide + Pine Tar + Linseed Oil..... that's the reason we have barns that are red. The Iron Oxide and Pine Tar worked together to prevent the wood from rotting. Great stuff, and everyone should have a quart on the shelf.

[@MrPanther60]

Thank you for the advise on making this traditional polish.

[@bigtoeknee11]

Can I use tung oil in place of the linseed

[@General_reader]

Made my first batch Works 10 times better than store-bought!

[@HawkFest]

Thank you! I know you must receive a gazillion of questions from us, but I'm taking my chance: I have an oak buffet that's finished with stain and protective lacquer. What should I use as a final finish to give it a nice look (not mate) over the lacquer, bees wax, some kind of mix?

[@curtaarsvold9198]

I will give this a try but what I have used in the past is just beeswax And food safe mineral oil. 1 1/2 cups of oil to 70 g of beeswax. You can adjust the amount of beeswax that you want to use.

[@meanders9221]

Thanks for showing that, Joshua. Some of my finishing references indicate that in the 17th-18th centuries boiled linseed oil was first applied and allowed to cure, referred to as 'priming' the wood. Then the beeswax polish was applied. Have you heard of this?

[@WoodAndShop]

Yes I have. There are many variations, but this is a more quick and simple method.

[@andrewyoungchesapeakeartis501]

Boiled linseed dries pretty quickly anyway.

[@jakt1962]

Just made my first Jar, doing exactly what you said, worked beautifully, I am no way by any means a experience woodworker but I do like to play around in the shop and this is perfect for the little things that I do thank you so very much

[@MA-ei4hu]

What would you use to finish an oak dinner table?

[@graysonw8660]

May I ask what finish is on the block of wood being worked on at the end of the video? Its exactly the effect that I like.

[@boop7313]

I can't wait to try this, thanks a lot.

[@Nettle314]

Any reason why you can't heat the BLO and turpentine a little bit for a better mix and skip that 2-3 days in the window sill?

[@nazareensword2014]

Greetings. Would the rag used for waxing be prone to self combusting because of the boiled linseed oil?

[@jamartin1]

What do you think about using this on oak veneer plywood?

[@jayempress4203]

Will gum turpentine work? I happen to have the gum form handy. I love the natural smell of pine trees. The artificial smell doesn't satisfy lol! Ie pine household cleaners.

[@Picaflor201]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing!

[@kentsmith9917]

Hello! Could you also use tung oil instead of linseed oil?

[@adamkozlowski9827]

put all the ingredients into the double boiler and heat them up together, stirring regularly. Eliminates the suspended wax particles and gives you a uniform paste with the consistency of shoe polish. Use more BLO and turp to give a more vaseline consistency.

[@acerjuglans383]

Turpentine and linseed oil are flammable, it was even mentioned right in the video.

[@WapitiEater]

Just started a muzzle loader build. Thanks for this vid and it's good info. Plan to use this finish on it after staining the wood with a propolis tincture. All from our own bees.

[@davideddy2672]

You the man! That propolis is damn fine stuff - as a fellow keep, I’ve used the mix for boots, gear, wood, iron etc - but that propolis is the bull horn! Excellent stuff for instrument (musical repair) etc. 👍

[@johnwoods3763]

Great thanks for this recipe and tutoriial, I love the natural finish

[@justinmasone8941]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who hoards talenti gelato containers

[@WoodAndShop]

Yes sir...the gift that keeps giving...around the shop and around the waist line!

[@JeffreyBodner]

how long does this recipe take to dry? Do you put on multiple coats or just one.

[@pepejuan2924]

Great video thanks for posting 👍

[@scottwebb3808]

Can this be applied to stained wood without messing up the color?

[@stovolbelinche3178]

i wonder if you could use parrifen or gulf wax nstead of bees wax

[@stevefrank353]

Once you have the three components mixed in the jar you may want to try placing the open jar into the hot water (no fire) to remelt the wax and then re-stir the mixture. Also, when you refer to "historical" you may want to briefly explain from where and when the process came. It adds to your credibility as a resource/authority.

[@danielpaley8743]

very well said Steve Frank

[@danielpaley8743]

how can I make a similar finish for cutting boards?

[@matthewstewart2401]

culinary wood projects could use beeswax melted with mineral oil

[@SuperCheese88]

Half and half? I've been turning some goblets lately and was debating on how to finish the outside. The insides I use melted pine rosin with a little beeswax melted in but it can get tacky with hand temperature.

[@engage-fp1io]

I made a wax for spoons using equal parts cold press walnut oil and coconut oil. Use the same 3:1 wax ratio.

[@geniemedford9200]

Love this and your shop!

[@briankaseke9587]

Great video.What are the measurements for the beeswax say l want to make 1kg of this precious wax

[@jopperdepopper]

Would this be a suitable finish for plywood boxes for my grandson's lego? Ty for the recipe! 👍

[@t3r080]

Can you add dye to your wax? Let's say I'd like to darken the finish?

[@krishs718]

Will you please confirm what is the stated in the video regarding proportion (quantity) of all the three ingredients in making this wonderful wood polish.

[@12tribeff]

What would you recomend for wooden floor finish?

[@tenzinchojay9925]

Just the beeswax with work if I apply on my wooden plates?

[@mikegoodson3509]

Can i use it on a vanished piece as a polish

[@jacobbockover1628]

I've never put turpentine in my oil n wax. Ill give a try when it stops snowing

[@rezamovie]

Can I use it for outdoor wooden panel for protection?

[@JeffreyBodner]

Also, is it a wipe on wipe off finish or do you let it sit for a while? Thank you

[@peterzineksimon]

Thanks, I will try it out. Have some oak bed to do. best regards.

[@OtterLakeFlutes]

Thank you. I'm looking to experiment for the best things (for various people's preferences or various options to offer) when it comes to the insides and outside of wooden flutes, such as Native American-style flutes. I need to keep the mouthpiece 100% food-safe, but I don't see why I can't use some of my copious quantities of regular boiled linseed oil on the rest of the instrument. Beeswax and oil is a major tradition with these, but I don't mind the thought of incorporating an oil that will eventually tend to polymerize even if it's over time. I don't have turpentine but I have "Turpentene" which I guess is too much of an unknown. A turpentine mimic with petroleum. I'm trying to use some things I already have, which includes beeswax, boiled linseed oil, safflower oil, olive oil (I hear that spoils in wood, whereas it surely doesn't on my veg-tanned leather, I suppose because of the tanning preservatives), 90% mineral oil with 10% lemon oil, coconut oil, and tea tree herbal anti-fungal oil mix that's supposedly ok to chew your nails with. I will definitely use some of that to fight mildew. And I do not mind making two batches (one for mouthpiece and one for the rest). Thanks for your videos

[@dianeernest1660]

I like your little footstool. Do you have a tutorial on that?

[@neilmeneses6017]

can i use Carnauba Wax for this test? If so, what is possibly the best ratio for oil and wax to make it liquid for my car polish spray project?

[@redwoodrivers]

Great video!

[@rhondaadams4013]

Can you use olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil as well, rather than linseed oil?

[@WoodAndShop]

I heard they may go rancid, but I'm not sure.

[@hardnox6655]

This is a great finish but Joshua is showing the messy method. The easiest way to do it is add all the ingredients into a jar as described BUT use a crockpot with water in it. Measure the beeswax by weight. 3 OZ of beeswax coincidentally weighs 3 OZ, how convenient. Set the crockpot on medium and let the wax melt. Stir as required. Done. No mess. Btw, any thrift shop will have a crockpot for a few bucks.

[@WoodAndShop]

Yes, that is certainly more convenient. The only downside is that occasionally the jars crack, causing an even bigger mess. Thanks for sharing!

[@CLH-hc8ce]

just use a crockpot, you don't need water, even better heat the separate ingredients in crockpots and they blend much better, I have been making something similar for 35 years.

[@enzodp1416]

I really like the wood polish. Just one question. Why do you use yellow bees wax as opposed to white bees wax? Yellow bees wax darkens wood such as Marri.

[@DavesTreeFarm]

Have you tried that? I'm somewhat surprised. As an FYI, Yellow beeswax is older wax from the hive which becomes dark due to exposure to honey and other things. The white beeswax is either 1) cappings that were removed in order to harvest the honey, or 2) yellow wax that has been treated chemically (bleached). The bleached (sometimes mistakenly referred to as "purified") wax is inferior especially if natural products are desired for your project. Just something to be aware. Cheers.

[@pam-nyc]

Great info, thanks! If I wanted to add a mica or pigment powder to color this paste and use it as a decorative furniture wax when I want it to lay deep into carved surfaces, would the ingredients be the same? How long does this mixture take to cure and not feel "greasy"? Thank you again.

[@Edward-bi8mk]

Really beautiful finish!!

[@steveschaefer5835]

I just tried to make your beeswax, oil, and turpentine finish. It didn’t come out as a paste as yours did. It’s thick but not a paste. Should I add more beeswax

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Thanks very much!

[@icespeckledhens]

I have seen pumice added to the mix and it does some fine sanding for you, possibly more appropriate for woodturning.

[@janusr3074]

Great video thanks for sharing.

[@yashvishwakarma971]

this polish can we use in resine epoxy table

[@bluecobra6294]

Outstanding, many thanks

[@jean-63]

Instead of using the "Boiled Linseed Oil" can I use Coconut Oil instead and still mix that with the beeswax and turpentine? Thank you so much.

[@WoodAndShop]

No idea...you'll just have to experiment 😉

[@jean-63]

@@WoodAndShop- well that's not much help but I'll surely try to remember to let you know how it works once I try it. Cheers 🇨🇦❤🇨🇦

[@WoodAndShop]

@@jean-63 I know, I'm sorry! I just haven't tried coconut oil. I would wonder if it could go rancid. I do know you can use mineral oil. It's cheap, clear, and doesn't go bad. I use it on cutting boards along with paraffin wax.

[@jean-63]

@@WoodAndShop - No need to apologize sir, was just a reply. I have now watched a few more videos using coconut oil and so far haven't seen any negative outcomes. I have yet to try it myself and mostly want to use it for my driftwood and river wood carvings I'm trying out. Love how the carvings are turning out but don't want to use man-made sealants or chemicals as I'm trying to keep a nature theme. Cheers 🙏🇨🇦🙏

[@stormkhan4250]

I know you said to not boil the linseed oil since it might catch fire but since you are warming it all up in a double boiler arrangement then the mixture won't go above the temperature of boiling water. Why not simply place all 3 parts of the ingredients together into your jar and place the jar into the saucepan of simmering hot water to melt the wax into the mix? Stir it every so often until the wax is all melted then remove from the water. No extra container needed, finished product is already in its jar, no waste left in other containers, no pouring of hot wax and any accidental spillage. 😀 To ensure the jar is not exposed to direct heat at the bottom of the saucepan, place a small wire rack or some sort of riser to sit the jar on and allow water to totally surround the lower half of the jar.

[@caterpillarman]

Those Talenti ice cream jars are great for lots of things around the shop. I always save mine.

[@WoodAndShop]

Ha, ha, yup, they're great!

[@robinsmith763]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! It's made the process seem less daunting.

[@waderogers]

Josh, I really appreciate the preservation of historical woodworking methods, especially in today's age of instant...everything! While I live in Alaska now (totem poles are some examples of traditional Tlingit and Haida wood working), my family is from North Carolina and probably came over on the Mayflower (Thomas Rogers signed the Compact). I own 30' fiberglass sailboat but she has some nice teak both inside and out and people are always amazed at how beautiful my teak is when it's done w/ teak oil and a good quality clear varnish. To get the oil to soak in, I allow pieces to soak in the oil overnight and then do 5-6 coats of varnish that dry for 24-48 hours. It can take a week to finish one piece! I plan on retiring in a couple of years and moving back to the Carolina's and exploring some of the traditional and historical aspects of the lives of these early pioneers. Thanks for contributing to the continuation of the knowledge of traditional woodworking techniques.

[@WoodAndShop]

Cool Wade! I used to live in Alaska. A very magical place, but also tough place to live.

[@waderogers]

Josh, I've been here for almost 28 years and since I boat in SE Alaska, I get to see a lot of timber! And whales. It is magical and I love being able to get out and get into wildlife. Hope to visit Colonial Williamsburg after retirement.

[@WoodAndShop]

Wow, sounds like MY dream come true to boat around Alaska. I lived in Fairbanks, so I didn't see the coast.

[@HighTone45]

Did you retire?

[@waderogers]

@@HighTone45 yes. 4 years ago…

[@GarageWoodworks]

I really want to try this! FYI, the markings on the jar are called "graduations".

[@NobleSteed00]

lol, no, they are not.

[@kevinf6413]

@@NobleSteed00 lol, yes, they are. If you ever took chemistry classes, the tubular containers you poured chemicals into, that had ml or cl markings on the side, are called "graduated cylinders." They are so called because the cylinder has "graduation" marks printed on the side of glass container. FWIW

[@samueldavis5895]

@@kevinf6413 just took IPS but even I definitely know this.. some people 🤣🤦🏾‍♂️

[@larrywickkiser3967]

Do you have a suggestion for a large western red cedar sculpture that will be outside mostly undercover in a cool rainy environment?

[@ourdattafamily]

Thank you for sharing, you are good! Learnt a lot.

[@Dutchshedwoodshop]

I really like to try this one! Thankscand subscribed 😊👍

[@12villages]

Can i use paraffin wax instead of bees wax? I already have my technique. I rub the commonly found white paraffin candles on wood surface and then hit it with the hot air gun which liquifys it and spread evenly. I'm planning to mix it with turpentine as you showed here.

[@WoodAndShop]

Yes, you certainly can

[@weirhauch1002]

Great video.Do you think if we use Tru-oil instead of linseed oil,will we be able to keep the glossy finish of tru oil ??

[@em.142]

Try it out and report back! How did it go?

[@miyomimimi2498]

Hi! Can i use this for jesmonite?

[@mrsseasea]

can use just paint thinner? in stead of turpentine?

[@johnleavey356]

Good job 👍

[@mariakanwal1074]

Whats the purpose of using oil?? Advantage of using oil in this recipe??? Plz let me know

[@jeffparryncc1701]

A rice cooker works great and you can add all the ingredients at once. Great video, thanks,

[@cochranesimon]

Thanks Josh. You alluded to its unsuitability for kitchen tables etc. If I wanted a wooden kitchen counter-top, what would you recommend? Previously I was under the impression beeswax was the way to go.

[@kneesturnedvelvet3725]

I think if you're not opposed to upkeep and maintenance, it can work ok on a kitchen table. Using coasters and placemats would probably solve lots of the problems.

[@sonrisa_marisa]

Question, I have a wood cabinet I would like to turn into a mini greenhouse. I was recommended by many users on Amazon to use a linseed/turpentine/ wax finish instead of chemical finishes but not sure if I should apply inside of the cabinet on top of the current finish or sand down the current finish then apply the linseed/turpentine/beeswax finish. What do you recommend?

[@WoodAndShop]

On top of the old finish is fine.

[@bitTorrenter]

You could always do this on a hob instead of a gas stove. Far safer! Just made my own mix 50/50 beeswax & turpentine. I'm already thinking I could have used less beeswax. Took me two hours no doubt to make the paste and clean up properly making sure that all my pans were clear of any wax or turpentine. The smell of beeswax I don't actually like. I thought it might be nice.

[@ackron147]

Thank you!

[@chuckyz2]

This video is about a year old. Hope its not too late to ask a Q. When you applied your wax to the wood, is that the way it will look or does it need to be polished after it dries. And if it looks different where can I see the finished look. Thanks.

[@juskojj]

what's the consistency of the wax? i just made a batch and measured everything out and instead of what you did i measured out the BLO and turpentine into a cup, melted the wax, poured the wax into my container and then added the BLO and turpentine. letting it sit now

[@WoodAndShop]

Hey bud, it all depends on the proportion of the ingredients and also the temperature where it's stored. When my workshop is warm, the consistency is more like a cream, but when my workshop is cold, it's more like a harder wax.

[@juskojj]

Wood and Shop thanks! Do you find it easier to apply creamy/softer or harder?

[@WoodAndShop]

You're welcome! Once you get rubbing, it all turns soft anyway. It probably penetrates the wood grain deeper when it's creamy.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

The grain size of the particulates determine the penetration, the turpentine is to make it easier to apply. The surface of the wood works like a filter, the turpentine penetrating deepest, but ultimately evaporating away completely, it does not make the other ingredients penetrate any deeper than they would without it.

[@dculjak9051]

Nice. Thanks a lot. Its simple and easy

[@pwpimages7938]

excellent tutorial, and enjoyable, thanks Joshua

[@WoodAndShop]

You're most welcome!

[@boudreaumay3040]

Thank you Josh for sharing this is a finish I'll be using from now on. I can't wait not only to have it but I look forward to the smell !

[@louel9272]

Anything natural that offers more protection that you can recommend for dining tables? Tnku

[@romulusbuta9318]

Church furniture finish ! 😊

[@salomao1971]

Muito agradecido pela sua bondade de levar conhecimentos aos seus semelhantes.

[@wam44]

thanks for the vid...Why Turpentine or any solvent? I would think it would smell endlessly and is toxic...Maybe try citrus solvent if needed...

[@sdgoss72]

Question: it is winter here and wondering if I could wrap a heating pad abound the mixture (using mason jar) to warm it up to emulsify the mixture?

[@WoodAndShop]

Not sure, but why the heck not? It wouldn't hurt to try. Let me know how it goes!

[@alokgautam5948]

i dont have boiled linseed oil but i have simple linseed oil, what should i do now please help

[@WoodAndShop]

Normal linseed oil will take weeks to dry. Boiled linseed oil isn't Boiled anymore but uses chemical dryers to speed up drying.

[@matthewgreen6421]

Joshua, Thanks for the tut and the recipe. I'm looking to do this for leather upholstery, would you make any changes to the recipe for leather? I'm thinking it should be OK but you may have experience in this that I would be happy to hear. Cheers - Matt from Blue Mtns, NSW, Australia

[@devos50]

Would this finishing work waterproof? I like the idea of having my wood with a natural look. But I am not sure if this finishing would be waterproof. I made a table that will be use in a kitchen where there might be water around... just wondering if your lindseed oil and paste wax finish would work as waterproof. I'd appreciate your answer! TIA

[@WoodAndShop]

Nope, not waterproof

[@ahmetkarci]

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[@selcanalan6083]

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