Wood is the best building material, but it needs care, otherwise it loses its properties. Many could hear about such a process as waxing wood. But what is it? This is a protection against any external influences and maintaining the initial state of the material.
In the process, you can use a variety of components. One such option is wax or oil. The first brings more effect, because its properties are most suitable for creating a protective barrier. Can I do this process with my own hands? If you understand this issue, then everyone will be able to cope with the task.
What do you need to know?
Wax is used today in many areas - medicine, cosmetology and even industry. Its composition is diverse and rich, which makes its qualities indispensable. Although under certain influences, properties begin to undergo changes, but not too strong. Because of what properties it has become so popular:
- Resistance to fire.
- Improving the quality of waxing wood.
- Barrier to the water.
- Gives shine. The material changes its appearance to a more prestigious.
At the same time, everyone can prepare a composition for waxing wood with their own hands, but it is easier to purchase a finished product. For many years, such compositions have been used in industry, and turpentine was used for the additive. Today this is not true due to the strong smell. Waxing wood allows you to not only change the appearance, but also to remove small scratches and minor cracks, adding shine.
What is the advantage of such formulations? Masters say that after this treatment there is no rotting and fungus formation. Sometimes a tree is used in places of chemical exposure, but wax helps not to destroy it. It is the waxing of the wood that helps to fully protect the original characteristics. In addition, the surface becomes smoother and more gentle to the touch.
What do you need for work?
It is now known that waxing wood is the creation of reliable protection for wood. Also, this option is budgetary, and if desired, you can change the shade of the design. Masters believe that any tree undergoes such processing, which brings only benefit to it. To wax wood with high quality, you need to purchase:
- Grout paper.
- The wax itself.
- Sharp knife.
- Cleaner (solvent is quite suitable).
- A brush.
- Cloth.
- Brush.
The tree is fibrous, therefore, over time, it dries up, and when exposed to moisture, on the contrary, it swells. The main task of protective equipment is to protect the surface from these phenomena.
How is it applied?
Do-it-yourself waxing should begin only after detailed instructions are on hand. The operation takes place in several steps:
- If the surface has been treated with something, then this must be removed using a solvent. After it is washed with water. If this does not help much, apply sandpaper and a knife. After such work, the old coating may fill in the gap. You need to take a brush and clean it. Only after this, waxing the wood with beeswax can begin.
- Then you have to wait until the surface is completely dry, otherwise you will not be able to apply. In the process, you will need to take a special cloth. Then pass those places where there are cracks and corners, after which it is already over the entire area. To speed up the work, you need to apply a brush. You should walk along the fiber of the tree.
- Now it takes time to dry. The wax should be completely absorbed, if something remains, then wipe it with a rag. Particular attention is paid to cracks, otherwise the surface will be unevenly processed. This is the only way to achieve reliability and durability. To make it beautiful, it is better to perform this procedure twice. Sometimes a film begins to form, but this should not be allowed. Have to walk with a brush.
The entire process is carried out carefully so as not to cause damage. There is nothing special in these steps, but if you make mistakes, you will not succeed in achieving the desired result. It is difficult to damage furniture by performing such a process. After this procedure, the influence of external factors on the treated surface becomes minimal. Sometimes they make supplements of different means, but very rarely.
What tools are there still?
In addition to simple wax, mastic can be found on sale. Its range of applications is extensive. There are several options for impregnation:
- In the form of a paste.
- Like a cream.
- Oily.
Not every wood furniture fully absorbs wax. To prevent misfires, you have to completely prepare the surface. Preparation is considered an important element. Cracks are cleared, cracks are cleared. If the grinding process is applied, the surface becomes more suitable.
If there are stains on the surface or any stains, then it will not be possible to remove them with mastic. On sale there are special tools that can resolve these "misunderstandings" before starting work. As a result, the composition for waxing wood can be the most diverse, a lot depends on the manufacturer. To cope with the work, you need to have a brush on hand. And if the composition is not too liquid, then you can not do without cloth. If the wax mass is too thick, then it is diluted with water. An interesting option is the color mass.
Helpful information
To use materials such as wax, you need to know that it is quite suitable for exterior and interior decoration. The only exception is the ban on locations where open fire is present. To make the tree fully processed, you need to prepare:
- The wax itself.
- Liquid and white composition.
- Paraffin.
- Oil wax.
- Turpentine.
- Paints.
Even scratches will not appear on the surface of furniture with such a protective layer. The effect of this is large, so similar treatment has been used for more than one year.
Are there any recipes?
Everyone is trying to extend the life of his furniture, so there are many recipes. It is not always necessary to purchase ready-made compounds - you can make them yourself. The quality of the impregnation from this will not change, so you can start cooking yourself. The recipe for waxing wood with beeswax is simple:
- Wax (simple bee), drying oil and turpentine. But you need to have certain proportions. These are four, three and six parts. Thanks to such indicators, it will be possible to achieve the desired consistency.
- If the wax is not melted, then mixing is not so simple. But it’s difficult to warm it over an open fire - it loses its qualities. The most suitable option is to create a water bath. So, they pour water into any container, and wax into a smaller one. They put a container of water on fire, and already with the main material on it. It turns out steam heating.
- Then you need to thoroughly mix the whole composition. Do not waste time, otherwise the mass will begin to harden. When done, the resulting components are left to solidify.
Where can i apply?
The resulting mass is suitable for parquet, solid wood furniture. It helps to give gloss and protect the surface from various influences. There are many techniques for applying wax to different surfaces, but the main one is to take the main one and use it.
Shades
Of course, wax is considered a protective compound, but sometimes it is easy to remove scratches and minor cracks with it. Wax is often used in white or yellow, so as not to change the shade of the tree, but simply emphasize and highlight its naturalness. When the furniture is already old, you need to slightly change its color, then wax in color comes to the rescue.
But in order to create the right color scheme, it is worthwhile to understand which types of wood are suitable for this. For oak, some requirements, for pine - others. But there is one feature: you can not use such compositions for chairs, so as not to get dirty. There are no more restrictions during the operation of wax-treated furniture.
Conclusion
So, we found out how to protect wood with wax. Today it is one of the available materials. Waxing is a simple process, but it must be carried out over the entire surface. This is the only way to qualitatively and effectively protect the material from the negative effects of moisture, etc.