Walnut oil is a great nontoxic choice for finishing wood, and you can easily make your own mixture with beeswax.
By guest blogger Erik Schimek.
Walnut oil makes a great nontoxic finish for your wood furniture.
Erik Schimek
Walnut oil is a great choice when creating your own oil and wax mixture due to its safety and low rancidity (it does not spoil easily, when compared with other common oils). It should be combined with beeswax, using the process outlined below.
Finding Walnut Oil and Beeswax
Walnut oil can be purchased in many grocery stores and food co-ops; there’s little difference between organic walnut oil and conventional walnut oil as the oil will not be consumed.
Beeswax can be purchased in bulk at many farmers markets, or in block form on ebay.
Creating the Oil and Wax Mixture
Add the walnut oil into the top of a double boiler, on low-to-medium heat. Boil it lightly; do not overheat.
Add beeswax to the double boiler, in a ratio of 2 (beeswax) to 1 (walnut oil). Heat the mixture to the melting point of wax, then stir to combine the oil & wax together.
When completed, the mixture should be solid enough to apply easily with a rag without being “drippy” or liquid. Add additional beeswax or walnut oil as needed.
Note: The leftover mixture can be stored for several years; it will harden into a block and can be reheated for later use.
Applying the Oil & Wax Mixture
Step 1:
The initial coat of oil and wax should contain a higher proportion of oil, to assist in the application process.
Rub the mixture into the wood with a rag. Let it set for a few hours.
Step 2:
A second coat is recommended, with a higher proportion of wax than the first layer. The second coat should also be allowed to set for a few hours.
Step 3:
Take a second (clean) rag and buff off the excess oil & wax.
Step 4:
The oil and wax should be re-applied at least once a year, more often for high-traffic surface areas like floors or desktops.
Guarding Against Rancidity
Although walnut oil is resistant to rancidity, all natural oils will develop a foul odor if they are not boiled, if they are exposed to constant moisture of high humidity, or if they not mixed with enough wax.
Homemade oil and wax, by its very nature, is a natural product and can react differently in various climates.
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This post was originally published at Erik Organic Blog.
Erik has been designing custom cabinets and furniture for nearly a decade. When he became ill due to solvent exposure several years ago, he became acutely aware of hidden toxins in the home which slow down the healing process. Erik Organic was founded in 2007 to provide safe, high quality home improvement options.
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