Lost Art Press

How We Make Our Soft Wax

Posted on by kalevogt
A Shaker tray in cherry, with one coat of soft wax applied.

You may be familiar with “A Glue Story”, a video we posted months ago showing how we make our Piggly No Wiggly Glue. Well, Chris and I decided to create “A Wax Story” in the same vein, a video demonstrating how we make our soft wax.

In case you’re curious about making your own wax, you can find the recipe in Chris’s latest book “American Peasant” (p. 65-68). In the book, Chris shares the exact ingredients he uses and where to find them. No frills, no fuss.

It should be noted however, that since publishing “American Peasant,” our soft wax recipe has been slightly modified. In the video below, you’ll notice Chris is making our soft wax with a bit more solvent (4 TBSP), which makes it even softer and easier to apply.

So, take a look at how easy our soft wax-making process is in “A Wax Story” below.

– Kale

9 thoughts on “How We Make Our Soft Wax”

  1. Thanks for the video. I just bought all the ingredients to make it. On Amazon, many of the hot plates cost on the order of $25 so they’re not expensive.

    Speaking of inexpensive tools on Amazon. I spent around $25 for an immersion blender to help mix milk paint. This was a huge game changer for me. Highly recommend you try it next time you make milk paint from solids. Cover with a rag as you stirr as a bit messy.

  2. What linseed oil does Chris recommend? I have some tried and true original I need to use up. Then I’m going to give this a shot.

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. We have used four brands that we can recommend. There are others out there, we just haven’t tried them.
      Viking Purified Linseed Oil from Earth+Flax
      Heron Paints Purified Linseed Oil
      Möbelolja from Selder & Company
      Allbäck Purified Raw Linseed Oil from Sage Restoration

  4. I wonder if you could clarify the amount of citrus solvent you use now. In American Peasant it says 2-4 Tablespoons. In the video it looks like 3 Tablespoons. Thanks!

  5. For anyone who wants to make measuring easier, 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup, at least on this side of the ocean.

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