The Ultimate Guide To Making & Using Wax Polish for Woodworking 

Thanks for the information. From Goa, India

Love this book! ru-vid.comUgkxpCNxqmAkyjN6NPx1fyB7QiEFWyO5mUWL it is simply one-of-a-kind! I really love it, because karah explained all tools required to have the job done, not mentioning the fabulous diy pallets ideas. I'm pretty sure this will be a fresh start in my new endeavour. Amazon was great, they delivered on time. Thank you!

HI Linn I watched your video with interest. I also make my own wax. My formular is 80% oil !5% bees wax and 5% carnauba wax by weight. This gives you a harder wax is better for a harder finish. It is to hard to scoop out of the tin you store it in, but this can be over come by placing tin of wax in a bowl of hot water not boiling to it becomes pliable enough to apply like your wax. Take care cheers Reggie.

Thanks for the very detailed information,but what about using lemon oil or orange oil.

I love your wax, I use it in my shop and in the kitchen.

Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!

Great video, thanks. One question: Does it make any difference if you use yellow or white wax?

If you like a stain with the wax add oil. I use old motor or oil from work shop

I have watched tons of wax-polish RU-vid videos. Yours has been the most informative without a close second. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

I use beeswax and coconut oil. Its great for the skin too, particularly skin that is sunburnt.

I make my own polish, beeswax and mineral oil, beeswax, mineral oil and coconut oil, just love the results on good timber. I'm always amazed at the guys at my men's shed who spend a fortune on propriety products instead of asking me for some of mine, mines not only free. but the finish looks better. Cheers from down under that was a lovely video.

I’ve been making mineral oil/beeswax polish for years to use on my carved spoons, knife handles and cutting boards. I also make a beeswax/coconut oil/almond oil/argan oil blend for my beard. 😂👍🏻

I use an old crock pot/slow cooker that I bought at a second-hand store for $10. It works great for making small batches of wax polish. I've only made wax polish with mineral oil and beeswax, not tung or linseed oil. I add some lemon oil to the wax polish I make as well. It smells great and it (in theory) adds some antibacterial properties to the polish, which is good for cutting and charcuterie boards and wooden kitchen utensils. For some outdoor projects, I've also added my wax polish on top of spar polyurethane finish. It seems to preserve the gloss of the polyurethane finish for a longer time. As you said, it's just super versatile stuff, and it's really easy and kind of fun to make. I've enjoyed experimenting with different recipes for the polish to see what works best. I am going to try making some polish based on oils other than mineral oil as well. The information you gave here about the tung and linseed oil was really helpful. Thanks for this great video!

You can take a cheese grater and break down the large blocks so you don't have to melt the whole block at once. It also melts faster once grated up.

ive been looking for this video for so long finally a wood worker that doesnt gatekeep!!!!!!!!

Have you ever used it over milk paint I have a fir wall I’m debating on how I might finish it

Really fantastic tips, Linn! Thanks! 😃 I still need to try to make it with BLO and tung oil! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

A question for anyone to answer. If an orange solvent, such as D-Limonene 100% FOOD GRADE Citrus Solvent is added to the formula, will the finish penetrate deeper into the wood? Or will the wax limit the finishes ability to penetrate? I have in mind a mixture of Tung Oil, wax and orange solvent that will penetrate wood, and not just be limited to the surface. I will be using it on an edge grain cutting board; Walnut, Teak, or Locust.

Hi Darbin. Question: I have started to make my own bees wax paste using boiled Linseed and Beeswax. I have done 5 test pots all at 4-1 ratio. the first test was from the exact same brand of linseed, set perfect the second test I used a brand new bottle of linseed oil (Same brand) and would not set( just like runny poridge)? third and forth the same but added a little bit extra beeswax only set slightly thicker still runny?. All prosedures were the same as I did them by weight. I wrote it all down and double checked. I did a final number five useing the oil from the the first bottle and it set perfect? So it is the oil to me that is the problem yet they are the same brand and had been brought only a month apart from the shop. the only difference I can see is the oil in the new bottle is slightly darker? Any ideas..

Thank you Linn! This was a very thorough explanation of the different types of wax, uses and benefits!

Very nice! What a beautiful product. Ive seen it on a really old floor and came here to recreate it myself for my kitchen counter. Would you recommend the use on G1000 from fjall raven?

Pls ,,,,Beeswax with boiled linseed oil is safe for cutting board and wooden ‏‪‬‏ spoon,,,, ratio (one part beeswax ) to (four parts boiled linseed oil ) To be soft, tender and safe for health,,, my respect to you ٠🌹

Hallo Linn ein toller wax und danke für deine Nachricht und alles prima und tschüß aus Düsseldorf Germany

Thanks for a great video - very informative 🤗

Thank you for detailed explanation. I also do my own wax, but here I learned something new and definitely will try out your recipe. In my recipe for mineral oil I use 85% mineral oil, 12% beeswax and 3% carnauba wax. It creates better protection.

Those wooden boxes are cool! Thanks for the inspiration.

what about turpentine? Have you tried to add some ? Any difference?

I had used olive oil and, since that can go rancid I added "vitamin E" via grapeseed oil to it and that prevents the olive oil from becoming rancid that a great tip for anyone who has a farm that can harvest oils that go rancid!

Amazing explanation, very comprehensive and detailed ... The best I've found so far.

I bought a walnut oil paste wax and the instructions recommended putting a thin layer of plastic wrap on top of the wax after opening. That might prevent the tung oil from skinning over like that. Great video.

hi! tried googling for answers but can't seem to find it. do I need to apply beeswax to both sides of the furniture? I am currently finishing a tabletop and idk if there will be a problem if I just do the finishing on the top side only

Great video, thank you. Ever used drops of essential oils for aroma with the wax ?

Great explanation! Are mineral oil and liquid vaseline the very same product?

Very useful, practical information! Thanks for this.

Thank you Darbin, good explanation.

Thank you for sharing. Very informative and inspiring.

Can I use olive oil instead of mineral oil. Finding it difficult to get mineral oil

Thank you very much. Every one of your videos is informative and well made. The tips on wax finishing is very much appreciated.

EXCELLENT VIDEO !!!

Nice info, thank you 🇿🇦

Can I use olive oil? Great job

Very well explained process for making your wax products. Nice job!

Great Video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Did you ever mix tung oil and linseed oil with bees wax?

I followed your process and made some tung oil/beeswax mixtures. When I applied them to some of my furniture, they initially looked great, but then, after a week or so, I got a white haze on one furniture piece and on another I got a fuzzy finish after the cat walked and sat on the surface. In both cases, reapplying wax repeated the process. The finish looked good to begin with but got hazy or fuzzy after a week. I used the pure tung oil and beeswax at the 4 to 1 ratio that you suggested. One of the pieces of furniture was poly finished and one was oil finished.

👍👍👍👍👍

Thank you Linn great video! Answered questions I’ve been looking. Hey curious, I am struggling with what to finish cutting boards with. I know most use mineral oil. What are your thoughts?

I real appreciate this video,,😘😘😘. Besides Which oil should I use amount tung oil and linseed to produce a wax for stucco/venetian paint. And do you know how to get the wax white?

Thank you so much for the very informative video! I'm wondering if you've experimented with 'jojoba' as the oil in wax polish?

Hello... From Malaysia.... Can I use beeswax for a tabletop cutting board I'm making? Will it provide some degree of waterproofing? I was thinking to soak the wood in mineral oil, then after a few days and coats, cover in several thin coats of beeswax. Any thoughts?

Thank you so much for sharing 🙏. I have an Unrelated question because I love your tools. @ 8:27 of the video you are waxing a band saw table. You got me thinking 🤔, and I have to ask, can you tell me which brand and model is that beautiful saw? 💘

Hi just came across this video and I’m curious.!? Can you reheat wax that has a skin on the top.? And will it mix ok or would yo have to remove the skin and discard it then maybe add a little more oil.?? I have several cans of Osmo Top Oil that have this skin on top… great content and thank you..😁💪🏻

Hi! I'm just starting to make the keyboards for my homemade pipe organ and I was wondering if I could use this kind of polish on the parts that see a lot of wear? Could I increase the resistance of the finish by useing more beeswax? I would like to keep the wood finish of the whole instrument as natural as posible. Thank you for the video!

Love the soundtrack! 😎 Great video! Timing, narration, tone, all that.... very easy to follow along. I make and sell The Carpenter's Walwax. I use different ratios and combinations of a couple different waxes, bees being the staple base. I don't worry too much about rancidity, as the way its stored can prolong the shelf life significantly. In '24 I'll be playing with making dyes "from the garden" and cooking them in with the Walwax. Love the wood wax boxes! I use the 2oz tins as well but those wood box.... that's too cool. 😎

Thanks for your video, really helpful, I have lots of wax (beekeeper) and was thinking about waxing my new internal oak doors, donyou think waxing will b suitable for doors? If so, i would like them to stay nice and light in colour so no stain, which oil would you recommend i mix the wax with? Many thanks in advance!!!

Thank you. Ever experiment with natural but very strong D-Limonene? In place of the mineral oil, or in addition to it.

Great idea. Thank You. Until now, I have been buying a wax finish from Denmark, whenever I was there for a visit, but it has no food-safe marking, so I could not use it for the cutting boards. I have to find, where I can buy food-safe mineral oil in Slovakia, and I will start making this wax.

yours has been the mos amazing video about the subject. thank you so much from mexico. 1 question, where can i get those cute little wood boxes for my lip balms!!! pleaseeee!!! they are soooo gorgeous!! thakns for sharing!

Really enjoyed this video. Your easy-going personality makes for a welcomed watch! Well-done, thoughtful, and easy to understand the various nuisances of the process. Kudos, from Southern USA!

Great review of your wax making methodologies and formulations and best practices. Well done till you got to Sandpaper as a wax application to cutting board. I do not agree with is step. Reason the potential paper grid mixing in with the wax in the gran in the wood, thus coming off later in you food? No good in my book for food products and or funiture. Tools ok I do like that you only use 2 ingredients like Howard's. Oldies oil will not tell you what's in it, they make claims but will not tell you directly, or even in a sds sheet like Howard's does!. They are not transparent so I don't buy it and it is expensive for what is is or isn't! Thanks for being transparent also. Tip: after refurbishment of a tool handle I use plane old shoe polish, a couple coats, mostly brown. It will stain up the wood nicely and have a nice soft wax feel but not stick or tacky. Also I'd the handle get damaged it so easy to fix and rematch up and refinish! So simple. Keep up your fine work, Columbus Michigan

I just made linseed beeswax polish. It is so satisfying to make and turned out great. The beeswax made the kitchen smell wonderful. It didn't take much time from start to finish. Thank you for sharing your experience too. I really enjoy watching your videos.

Thank you very much for your insight! What mix of beeswax+oil would you use, in order to get a nice glossy or half-glossy finish, over a lacquer finished oak wood (for a buffet)?

I am considering using tung oil / wax mix for a butcher block countertop. Could you buff the surface to get a higher sheen compared to just pure tung oil?

Thanks for sharing. Saya harus coba ini. Membeli langsung cukup mahal buat saya..

Just echoing everyone else, very nice job, informative, no unnecessary rambling, very useful. Might make some someday. Thank you for your efforts.

Does anyone know if I can use Refined Linseed Oil(Gamblin) that is used for thinning artist paint? I have extra so just wanted to see if I can use it up safely. Thanks...

Thank You Linn. Amazing video and typed on the different , looking for a long time for a go to Polish for my wood cooking utensils. Thank you again

Thanks for the content, I found it very useful :) ! I did mine with linseed oil and applied it using sand paper. Interestingly though, it created some kind darker sludge/excess maybe product of the cheap sand paper I used. But it kinda went away when I rubbed it using my hands. I think the warmth of my hands plus friction, helped drive some of the wax through the wood better. I hope it won't be detrimental for my skin. My hands feel pretty soft and nice though

Great info, was exactly what I've been looking for... thank you for sharing! Have you tried the Tung oil wax on a cutting board vs the Mineral oil wax?

My local shoe shop sells beeswax for shoes. I'm thinking beeswax is beeswax. Can i use that on wood?

Thank you Darbin Orvar🙏 I already have the necessary ingredients, while urgently needing oil wax polish for wood and leather. Your guide has given me confidence and ignited my passion to get started and make my wax polish 🤩

Loved your video. I've been looking for more recipes for friction polish. Great ideas. I've added Diatomaceous earth to a mineral oil, beeswax, carnauba wax paste and found it to produce a very nice luster on wood turnings. Never tried using tung or linseed oils with beeswax. Will have to try soon. Thanks for your video.

Can any other type of wax be used? Like candle wax etc

I like to coat my cutting boards, etc with mineral oil and then apply the mineral oil and beeswax paste after initial oil has soaked in. I give a can of wax away with each board I sell. I sell can alone for $10 plus shipping.

What a wonderful and informative presentation. I'm a bowyer and have been making my own wax polish for the final finish on my bows. If all the presentations I've seen before,yours is just so informative that anyone can follow the steps to finishing their project.

This was a great tutorial in wax making. I have made mineral oil wax, with a different proportions. I think your is better mine has more wax so it takes more energy to work it in. I did make a softer version, but still more was than yours.

Great video covering all aspects. Thank you!

Have you ever used scents in you wax polish, peppermint oil, orange oil?

Will soy wax work?

very useful and interesting, i have made some wax polish using tung, beeswax and carnauba with Ok but not brilliant results, like you have been reluctant to use solvent, I will certainly try those proportions as I ran out of materials and patience to experiment,

I just made my first batch today and used baby oil for the mineral oil. Not crazy about the smell. Can i add essential oils to it?

I’ve been making and using a mix with mineral oil for years. I love it, especially on milk or chalk paint. Definitely going to try mixing with tung oil next.

Hi. Have you tried adding carnuba as well? I'm having trouble to get a sheen or gloss with bees wax.

thank you very much, I fund your tutorial not only informative but well presented x

I noticed you were applying wax with steel wool. Do you get problems with iron staining the wood?

I use a crock pop to mix my beeswax and mineral oil. Just did 20 cans today.

Amazing. So helpful. Thanks!

Using 100% tung oil, can the film be heated up for use?

This is awesome! Thank you for making this video, I am going to make some of this myself and the information is very useful.

Many good tips! Didn't think of using wax when sanding, going to try that.

Good video. Could you do 1 part tung and 3 parts mineral oil with the wax?

I always enjoy your videos. Thank you!

I would melt then apply the wax. Solid wax will not peneterate deep enough to protect wood.

that was a fantastic, and informative video - thank you very much!

What would you add to a lawn bowls polish for better grip in wet conditions?

Wonderful video with lots of good information!!!! Only thing I miss in the video(and also are difficult to find anywhere) is approximately how long before the different mixtures are curred? I'm guessing I have to wait for sometime before using waxed machines/cutting boards etc? Or how do I know?

Linseed oil I use raw as well for the same reason. I use a small crockpot to melt the mixture.

I think that if you add some powder it will be good polish for cars

Very useful & well made video thanks mate !

Only problem with beeswax base it never hardens and attracts dust and finger prints etc.

Hi! Is there a risk for selfignition of the polish?