Beeswax is a wonderful product that has so many uses, but when it comes to being used as a wood finish, there are disadvantages to using beeswax finish.
These include the low melting point of the wax. Another disadvantage is the grippy feel when the temperatures are low. It has to be a very thin coating as a polish over a different wood finish to actually protect the wood long term.
This brings us to a new bunch of relevant questions that can help explain the benefits and disadvantages of beeswax as a finish or polish.
Is beeswax a good finish?
Beeswax finish is an excellent finish when it is used in an appropriate situation.
A good example of what we could describe as an appropriate use for beeswax as a finish is on tool handles that are used outdoors.
These tool handles are mostly crafted from hardwoods and they often take a beating. They get used in all weather and all types of conditions.
Beeswax allows the tools handle to have a nice grip without being slippery, but the disadvantage of this application is the annual need to re-apply the beeswax finish.
This is not absolute rule, naturally, and a lot depends on the type of wood and the way the beeswax is applied as a finish. It also matters how often the tool is used and the climate at the time of use.
How do you finish wood with beeswax?
Beeswax can be applied by simply rubbing a solid block of beeswax over the object you wish to treat and protect.
It can also be melted into the wood with a hot-air gun. Beeswax can also be blended with other ingredients to make a paste that can be worked into the wood by rubbing.
These are usually the wood polish products that are sold in the stores. and while beeswax is one ingredient of these products they often have a blend of other waxes in them to help harden the polish against fast removal by use.
Does beeswax make wood waterproof?
Yes, beeswax can make wood waterproof but this will only last for as long as the beeswax finish is intact.
Beeswax is a soft coating that can be rubbed into the grain of the wood and this can be very helpful to repel water. The longevity of this finish is not the best for long term waterproofing.
What is beeswax finish used for?
Beeswax is often used as a polish for furniture and it is said to rejuvenate old and distressed timbers.
It can be used as a complete treatment for end-grain cutting boards when it is blended with food-grade mineral oils.
As we mentioned above, tool handles can benefit from using beeswax as a preservative if regularly applied when needed.
How long does beeswax finish last?
Beeswax can last for several years if the item that has been polished is not handled often.
If the item is used often then the beeswax should be re-applied on a regular schedule. This can be worked out by living with the item over time and monitoring its requirements.
Is beeswax finish durable?
Beeswax finish is not very durable.
It is less durable in hotter climates where the beeswax can soften on the surface and be easily removed by normal handling of the item.
This is not to say that it should not be used, because beeswax is most likely one of the safest methods to protect wood there is without chemicals being involved.
There are a few drying oils that can beat beeswax for longevity but they are not so easy to obtain at times and they are not as easy to apply.
For more information on beeswax finish, we have a sister article to this titled “using beeswax on wood, does it last?” and it might be worth your time to read it for more on beeswax.
How often do you have to apply beeswax finish to wood?
In the case of furniture that is used on a daily basis, beeswax may need to be applied on a monthly basis to keep a good luster on the wood surface.
On items that are not used as often, the beeswax finish may last much longer. It should be noted that beeswax as a finish should never be considered a final finish.
Once you use it on a piece of wood you are basically assigning that finish to that wood for the life of that item. This is especially the case for raw wood that has been treated with beeswax from the get-go.
Some folks like to apply a beeswax finish over an existing coating to give a nice traditional shine, and this is not a permanent requirement.
Is beeswax finish water resistant?
When beeswax finish is first applied it is water resistant.
It can remain this way indefinitely but this is decided by the usage of the item.
It is better to describe beeswax finish as water resistant than waterproof, as there are so many types of wood and many have very open grain that can allow water or moisture to get past your beeswax protective layer and get into the wood.
This can lock the moisture in the wood and this can lead to staining and in a worst case rotting.
Does beeswax make wood slippery?
Beeswax polish can make wood slippery when it is applied and then rubbed off during the buffing stage.
It is more likely to make a piece of furniture slippery when the beeswax is applied as an protective polish over some other wood finish like a polyurethane or nitrocellulose coating.
If the beeswax is applied directly to raw unfinished wood, it is less likely to make it slippery and if it can be done it will need multiple applications to achieve this outcome.
Is beeswax a good wood lubricant?
Beeswax is not a good product to use as a lubricant.
The main disadvantages are a tendency to remain sticky and will cause the wood to grab, and then the potential of the beeswax being difficult to remove once it has proven to not be effective.
A good alternative product to use as a wood lubricant is paraffin wax that many candles are made from. Sometimes a bar of soap will do just as well, but beeswax should be used only as a last resort.
Can you use beeswax on any wood?
Beeswax can be used on most woods and the best use for it should be decided on the needs of the user. It is recommended to be used indoors.
If you need long term protection, this is not where beeswax shines. A major disadvantage for beeswax finish is it is always being removed from the surface through touch and handling.
If you can find the time to continue with the application of beeswax when it is required then it can be a wonderful treatment for wood.
The need to be always re-applying it should be considered as one of the disadvantages of beeswax on wood.
What does beeswax do for wood?
Beeswax can give short term protection to wood by repelling moisture, it can give a lovely soft shine when used as a polish, and it can help preserve wood if applied at regular intervals.
The disadvantages of beeswax on wood are it needs to be always reapplied, it becomes soft in hot climates and will attract dust and lint when the beeswax surface becomes soft.
There are better finishes to apply to wood and they can be completely natural and totally safe. We address one in particular in “is tung oil a food safe finish?“. We recommend both this finish and the article.
Conclusions.
If you are a woodworker or a budding furniture restorer, it is worth knowing the disadvantages of beeswax finish before you race out and start using it. Here is a list of disadvantages to think about before you start using it.
- Beeswax is always disappearing. You need to reapply it often.
- Beeswax is often sticky when it is cold. It is a terrible lubricant.
- Beeswax is soft and easily removed when it is hot.
- Beeswax can be permanent. It is impossible to remove if you decide to use something else over the top of it.
