It’s a photo of a cat, so you know what that means. Katherine spent a lot of time during her Christmas break making her biggest batch of Soft Wax 2.0 ever. She spent all her money on raw materials (50 lbs. of beeswax is a lot of money). And she has just put it all up for sale in her etsy store.
As you can see, Bean the three-legged shop cat (also known as Mr. Speckles and Leave the Other Cats Alone!) does not give a care about this announcement. But perhaps someday Katherine will be able to buy him a bionic leg.
Notes on the finish: This is the finish I use on my chairs. Katherine cooks it up here in the machine room using a waterless process. She then packages it in a tough glass jar with a metal screw-top lid. She applies her hand-designed label to each lid, boxes up the jars and ships them in a durable cardboard mailer. The money she makes from wax helps her make ends meet at college. Instructions for the wax are below.
Instructions for Soft Wax 2.0
Soft Wax 2.0 is a safe finish for bare wood that is incredibly easy to apply and imparts a beautiful low luster to the wood.
The finish is made by cooking raw, organic linseed oil (from the flax plant) and combining it with cosmetics-grade beeswax and a small amount of a citrus-based solvent. The result is that this finish can be applied without special safety equipment, such as a respirator. The only safety caution is to dry the rags out flat you used to apply before throwing them away. (All linseed oil generates heat as it cures, and there is a small but real chance of the rags catching fire if they are bunched up while wet.)
Soft Wax 2.0 is an ideal finish for pieces that will be touched a lot, such as chairs, turned objects and spoons. The finish does not build a film, so the wood feels like wood – not plastic. Because of this, the wax does not provide a strong barrier against water or alcohol. If you use it on countertops or a kitchen table, you will need to touch it up every once in a while. Simply add a little more Soft Wax to a deteriorated finish and the repair is done – no stripping or additional chemicals needed.
Soft Wax 2.0 is not intended to be used over a film finish (such as lacquer, shellac or varnish). It is best used on bare wood. However, you can apply it over a porous finish, such as milk paint.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS (VERY IMPORTANT): Applying Soft Wax 2.0 is so easy if you follow the simple instructions. On bare wood, apply a thin coat of soft wax using a rag, applicator pad, 3M gray pad or steel wool. Allow the finish to soak in about 15 minutes. Then, with a clean rag or towel, wipe the entire surface until it feels dry. Do not leave any excess finish on the surface. If you do leave some behind, the wood will get gummy and sticky.
The finish will be dry enough to use in a couple hours. After a couple weeks, the oil will be fully cured. After that, you can add a second coat (or not). A second coat will add more sheen and a little more protection to the wood.
Soft Wax 2.0 is made in small batches in Kentucky. Each glass jar contains 8 oz. of soft wax, enough for at least two chairs.
Bean is decidedly unclear on the role of a barker in hawking the merch. But he works cheap, I’m sure.
Will sitting on a wax-finished chair, melt the wax?
Not unless your body temperature exceeds 153° (F), the melting point of beeswax.
It’s been a few years since I had my temperature taken . . . back there.
I may have asked this before, but is there a way to buy this in Canada? Thanks!
We can’t ship out of the country. But you can make your own easily using the recipe I posted here.
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2021/07/12/cook-your-own-linseed-oil-wax-finish/
Ok, thanks!
Used this as finish over a chair I restored and painted with milk paint. Worked really well, doesn’t stink, and has a nice feel to it.
Before I order some one question, what is the shelf life of opened and unopened cans kept in a cool dark place?
At least a couple years. It’s mostly about minimizing oxygen exposure.
Etsy shop shows sold out already one day after post. True or not true?
How do acquire a jar of this Vunder Finish?
Thanks
Hi Don,
She sold out yesterday in a few hours. She has been making it as fast as possible (and being a full-time student).
I recommend you try making your own. It’s easy – even I can do it.
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2021/07/12/cook-your-own-linseed-oil-wax-finish/
Hey Chris, have you ever finished a workbench in this? Thoughts?
Nope. I don’t like to put wax on a bench. I prefer it to remain grippy. I usually just put some boiled linseed oil on the bench and nothing more.
Great thank you
And while on the topic of workbenches, I already have a 2”^2 planing stop. Do you see any issue installing the crucible stop or will I likely need to make a larger stop and a bigger hole in the bench?