Thread: Wax removal

Try a heat gun.

I've got one of these:

Bosch 2000W Corded Heat Gun I/N 6201543 | Bunnings Warehouse

Works pretty well however I don't think you'll get 100% removal.

Cover the section that is waxed with a cloth and then iron. The wax should transfer to the cloth. Keep moving the cloth so that the cloth will take up the wax. I doubt if you will ever get it 100% wax free. The wax should not penetrate too far so you could slice fine sections until you get good wood only.
regards Ned

the best method to remove the wax from timber blanks is with boiling water - since the wax melts at about 55 degrees C.

slowly pour boiling water over the blank the hot water will melt the wax and cause it it run with the water, if you pour the water too fast you just use a LOT of water, so take your time and go slow.

you can place the blank into boiling water but you need to let it sit under the surface till cold, as the wax will cover the surface of the water and when you try to remove the blank it will get covereed with the wax again

Forgive my ignorance but what is the need to remove the wax?

When you turn the blank down, the wax on the long sides of the blank will simply come off with the shavings. The short sides of the blank are taken care of when you trim down the blanks to the edges of the pen tubes.

Wot he said.

I assume it's paraffin wax and that penetrates little into end grain.

That said, if anyone knows a way of chemically dissolving that stuff I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Bassmansimon,
I need to stabilise some of the blanks with CA and I am assuming the wax will prevent the CA from bonding/filling the voids.
Out of over 100 or so blanks there are probably 10-15 that I need/want to stabilise, the rest can be turned down to remove.

Originally Posted by bassmansimon

Forgive my ignorance but what is the need to remove the wax?

When you turn the blank down, the wax on the long sides of the blank will simply come off with the shavings. The short sides of the blank are taken care of when you trim down the blanks to the edges of the pen tubes.

Originally Posted by mach70

Bassmansimon,
I need to stabilise some of the blanks with CA and I am assuming the wax will prevent the CA from bonding/filling the voids.
Out of over 100 or so blanks there are probably 10-15 that I need/want to stabilise, the rest can be turned down to remove.

Ok that makes sense thanks. Another possibility is a linisher.
Simon.

Paraffin wax is soluble in any kind of hydrocarbon-based paint thinner -- mineral spirits.You could also try diluted vinegar or acetone. The wax is put on to ensure even drying of the timber - stops splitting.

Thanks.