Finishes & Waxes

 » Pigmented Wax for Wood & Walls

Pigmented Waxes

Introduction

To create a paste wax that mimics the color of your wood or enhances the color of wood grain, the addition of pigment offers endless possibilities. Old furniture, floors or other wood can be revived, or new wood given a safe, non-toxic finish. Black pigment is often used to deepen the grain. White pigment gives a bleached effect, (and thus the name Liming Wax). And the use of other colors adds a more complex finish to floors or furniture. Those wishing to use a ready-made wax or consumers sensitive to solvents may prefer to use our Roman Beeswax Polish, a zero VOC hypoallergenic beeswax in nuetral. It can be used alone or easily mixed with pigments.

Ingredients

Using a palette knife or butter knife, mix wax with pigment in a small dish until completely combined, (adjust the wax to pigment ratio depending upon the transaprency desired). Apply with a lint-free cloth or soft steel wool, being sure to work the wax into any grooves or pits of the wood. To enhance the grain of wood, first use a wire brush with the grain to deepen it and remove any soft pulp. Allow wax to dry for 2-24 hours. Finally, buff with a lint-free cloth and apply a final untinted coat of Roman Beeswax Polish to seal.


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Polishing Plaster or Lime Paint with Wax

The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans appreciated the beauty of polished marble. However, when their buildings started to sink in the mud, the builders in Venice had to come up with an alternative solution. Thus Venetian plaster was born. One of the many variations of this versatile finish is a highly polished look achieved with a final waxing over the burnished surface. An excellent wax for a high polish is our Roman Beeswax Polish, a high quality beeswax blend that can be used alone or mixed with our pigments or Mica Powders to create a brilliant or subtle sheen on walls.

Waxing as a final step in Plaster or Lime Paint enhances color and texture. It serves as a surface sealer that can be buffed to a soft sheen or a high gloss. After your final plaster or paint coat is dry and burnished, apply wax using a clean blade or cotton cloth. Blade application on plaster enhances blade patterns. A thinner application with a soft cloth on plaster or paint can be dabbed and feathered as it as applied making it even more soft and subtle. Wax will enhance the color, so test samples are always recommended to determine the final result. After the wax has dried buff to the polish desired.

Roman Beeswax Polish can be used in its neutral color, mixed with pigments for a color effect or micas for a metallic one. The formula is 1 part pigment or mica to 3 parts wax. You can add less pigment or mica for a more subtle effect, but do not use more. Only one application is required. A pint can can will cover approximately 200 sq ft.

Color ideas might include antiquing by using Umber or Sienna pigments; creating a two tone effect by mixing another color over your tinted plaster or lime paint. Complimentary metallic mica colors over wall colors might be Majestic Gold over Yellow Ocher; Bright Silver over Charron Blue; Super Bronze over Havana Ocher. The possibilities are so varied it invites great artistic expression.


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Home made Paste Wax — Basic

Ingredients

You can easily create your own basic floor and furniture wax. Beeswax can be used alone, or made into a harder finish with the addition of Carnauba wax.

In a large, wide mouthed glass jar or bowl, place beeswax. Set this in a pan of water and gently melt over low heat. The melting point will be 144 ºF. Beeswax is flammable so be careful not to overheat. Remove from heat and slowly stir in Iso-Pure Safe Solvent or turpentine. Cool to a smooth paste.


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Home made Paste Wax — Harder

Ingredients

To create a harder finish wax, melt the Carnauba wax first (melting point 184 ºF) then add and melt the Beeswax. Thoroughly stir together then remove from heat and stir in solvent as above. Apply wax paste to wood using a soft, lint-free cloth then buff to shine. Carnauba wax will create a shinier, tougher surface than beeswax alone. Use on painted, finished or unfinished wood.
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