Wax Coating Melts During Shipment
A furniture maker looks for solutions to a shipping problem: the wax on his pieces softens in the hot trucks enroute. July 3, 2008
Question
We sell and ship furniture with a applied texture and a hand rubbed colored wax finish that has variances in the color. Our problem is in shipping sometimes the wax melts from sitting in a truck. What can we do? Is there a substitute for wax that is colored and gives a hand rubbed look or something that will keep wax from melt like a hardener.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor C:
The answer is no. But can the receiver of the item just use the same process you’re using when it arrives? Is this some type of super secret waxing process? If not then that is what I suggest if it were my problem and customers - maybe even ship with a DVD to show them how. It's either that, fix it yourself or have it shipped back.
From contributor C:
If you’re using a soft wax like bees you can switch to a higher melting point wax like carnauba. It melts at 180+ F but they all get soft if exposed to the heat for a long time and can smear if left on more than they would usually be left on. The idea with wax finishes is to burnish them till there is nothing but a very thin coating on the object. If more than that is left then troubles such as you’re having may become an issue.
From the original questioner:
Right now we are using Briwax.
From contributor C:
Right off hand I don’t know its composition do you? Let me know or find out and if it contains bees wax. If so then it’s too soft for your needs. If its carnauba wax that’s the hardest you can get.
From contributor R:
Faux Effects makes a product called Aquawax which is an acrylic/wax hybrid that is designed to mimic the look of wax while providing greater durability. I have not personally used it but I know that its users are pretty satisfied with it. I have used Minwax Woodsheen for simulated wax effects.
From the original questioner:
Briwax is a blend of beeswax and carnauba. Is there a colored wax made of just carnauba. I will try the woodsheen to see if I can get the look I am after.
From contributor C:
You can buy pure refined beeswax from Kremers or woodworkers supply, or from Mohawk in a form called blue label paste wax which is a mixture of carnauba and turps.
