Carnauba wax finish?

E.Carlson

E.Carlson

Joined
Mar 28, 2016
Messages
811
Anybody use pure carnauba as a handle finish? How does it hold up? I'm currently working with some kingwood, which honestly has a nice shine by itself at 600 grit. My plan was to just use carnauba applied with a buffing wheel, but I'm having doubts about durability.
 
I melt carnauba with beeswax and camellia oil, and let it cool to make a hard paste. Although I enjoy the bit of protection it offers, I apply it to the wood fully knowing it's not going to last.
 
Thanks guys. I'll take the grit up a bit higher and call it a day. I can't really tell if I was getting much wax on there anyway because I'm just using a buffer wheel in my drill press. I don't think it was building up enough heat to transfer the wax well.
 
I use carnuba and bees wax melted in a pot and brush it into the warmed handle material and it holds up very well IMHO. I just keep brushing it until the handle material will no longer soak any up, then clean off any excess with a rag and buff.
 
rustyrazor said:
I use carnuba and bees wax melted in a pot and brush it into the warmed handle material and it holds up very well IMHO. I just keep brushing it until the handle material will no longer soak any up, then clean off any excess with a rag and buff.
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Do you use a 50 50 mix of the two? I'm interested in moving towards natural finishes and a wax base seems like my best bet.
 
I hardly use much bees wax. lets say 25% and the rest is the harder carnuba. I mostly use it for stacked leather handles so I can get the leather as shiny as the antler/wood... it hasn't been an exact science for me, just playing but I have been really happy with the results so far. the carnuba hardens up HARD but I haven't ever had any noticeable chips or anything out of the leather or antler so I feel like it's a pretty solid finish.

good luck
 
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