Disadvantages of Beeswax FInish: Pros and Cons [Quick Facts]

Although a finish made of beeswax is a standard furniture option, it has a few drawbacks.

What are the disadvantages of beeswax finish?

It is not easy to use and can be expensive if you have little experience.

This blog post will provide readers interested in learning more about the benefits and drawbacks of using beeswax with all the information necessary to decide whether or not using beeswax is the best option for them.

VIDEO: Beeswax Furniture Polish

What does “Beeswax Finish” mean?

Beeswax wood polish is an eco-friendly and all-natural finish that enhances the inherent beauty of wooden furniture and keeps it protected from the elements.

It is sometimes considered an alternative to varnishes and lacquers, both of which are synthetic finishes that, if consumed or inhaled for an extended period, can be harmful to humans and animals.

It is among the most effective choices for furniture wax.

The following are additional wood treatments that are appropriate for use with pets:

Since humans first discovered beehives, beeswax has been a polishing agent.

This finish is non-toxic because of the natural component of beeswax, which provides it a significant edge over other manufactured wood finish treatments such as varnish or lacquer.

A combination of beeswax and oil is typically used as a primary wood finish or wood polish.

This natural wood polish combines beeswax with oil such as coconut oil, tung oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, walnut oil, or hemp seed oil.

Other oils that can be used include jojoba oil, walnut oil, and hemp seed oil.

The mixture is then baked in the sun or an oven until it becomes solid and flexible, which causes it to become buttery and makes it easy to spread onto the surfaces of wooden furniture.

Beeswax Wood Finish: Advantages and Disadvantages

Because it dries rapidly and can prevent surfaces from becoming stained by water, grime, or food, beeswax makes an excellent finishing material for wooden furniture.

In addition, it has a stunning sheen, which is the stuff that interior decorators’ dreams are made of.

However, beeswax has certain downsides as well.

Disadvantages Of Beeswax Finish

It isn’t easy to get rid of.

Although it is easy to apply beeswax, it can be challenging to remove once it has been applied to furniture.

This is not necessarily negative since removing furniture wax is only sometimes necessary.

However, there are techniques to simplify the process when it comes to the maintenance and refinishing of wood.

Not appropriate for use on all kinds of flooring

There are particular types of materials that should not have wax finishes applied to them.

For example, applying wax to unfinished surfaces (such as raw wood) or flooring made of wood coated in linoleum, vinyl, or other plastic is not recommended.

Not nearly as long-lasting as polyurethane

Because polyurethane contains pigment, it is more durable than wax and retains its color for a more extended period. Because of this, wax is not a good material for furniture that will get a lot of wear, like tables or kitchen cabinets.

Taking this into consideration, polyurethane will, on average, require less maintenance than wood flooring, which requires refinishing more frequently.

Colors the surface of the wood.

Wax can produce discoloration since it can penetrate deep into the wood.

The higher the concentration of darker pigments in the beeswax, the greater the staining potential will be.

If it is not applied evenly, wax can also leave behind white patches.

Since the wax finish is frequently used to accentuate the natural wood grain, staining is not a significant issue.

However, if you want a more polished and expert appearance, choose lacquers, varnishes, shellacs, or oil finishes rather than other types of wood finishes.

Requiring a lot of upkeep

The beeswax must be reapplied regularly to preserve its natural beauty and function as a protective barrier.

If you don’t mind the procedure of regularly rewaxing your wooden surface, this is only a minor annoyance, but if you want a wood polish that lasts longer or is more durable, this could be an issue for you.

You can apply beeswax to surfaces that won’t be subjected to heavy use, such as the dressers and tables in the bedroom.

You will be able to preserve a natural finish without having to remove or rewax the wood surface for an excessive amount of time.

High temperatures easily damage it.

The wax finishes are ruined by heat. If the room’s average temperature is above 71 degrees Fahrenheit, the wax can start to melt and run down the sides of the container.

This is a tough challenge if you intend to have a fire in one of their areas.

Any wooden surface that surrounds the fireplace runs the risk of having wax melt off, which makes the area seem unpleasant and poses a potential risk of fire if the wax drips onto flammable objects.

The application is straightforward, but it requires mental and physical fortitude.

You will need to use your hands to apply the beeswax.

This procedure may look easy, but it requires significant manual labor.

In order to wax the floor correctly, you will need to get down on your hands and knees and use an old rag.

Yellows over time

Wax can turn yellow with age, which is one of the most significant drawbacks associated with its use.

Even though this won’t likely be evident unless you go back a significant amount of time, a great number of individuals are nonetheless unhappy with the move.

If the surface has been finished with pure tung oil finishes or another sort of surface finish, this will not occur.

Advantages Of Beeswax Finish

Simple in its operation

Applying natural wax finishes is simple, and one does not need to expend much time or energy to achieve the desired results.

Because of this, you won’t have to go through a drawn-out process to apply wax to the wooden surfaces in your home when necessary; instead, you can do it swiftly and efficiently.

Wax finishes are simple to apply, which means it is simple to correct an error if it is discovered once the finish has been applied.

For example, to add another layer, you need only remove the wax with a rag and then apply it again.

Green and not harmful to the environment

Adding wax to furniture surfaces, indoor or outdoor, is a more environmentally responsible approach to finishing them.

However, if you use polyurethane paint or any other kind of paint, you will need to employ solvents, which are harmful to the surrounding environment.

Wax finishes call for the simple mixing of natural components to produce a product with the consistency of paste, which can then be placed directly onto the surface of the wood.

If you wish to lessen the pollution created within your home, this is some encouraging news.

You can obtain the desired look without compromising your commitment to living an environmentally responsible lifestyle.

Those individuals who prefer the natural look but also desire something that stands out can benefit from this.

Unfortunately, after adding tung oil or varnish, it isn’t easy to attain this appearance because the finished product will frequently appear excessively shiny or too matte.

Appearance

Beeswax-based wood treatments have the potential to extend the life of a floor.

Wax also provides a protective layer, which can keep wood looking new for several years.

This is especially useful if you have children or dogs inclined to harm your floors.

Wax can be purchased at most home improvement stores.

The surface won’t be harmed even if you accidentally spill something on it because the wax finish is also waterproof.

This is especially helpful if the space in question needs to be cleaned regularly despite the high volume of activity there.

Economical

Because it does not require adding any chemical components but produces a durable covering, beeswax is a cheap material.

The cost of the wax can be reduced even further by combining it with linseed oil, which inhibits its spreading and hastens the drying process.

Linseed oil can also be used alone.

Wood Finishing Oil

The coating of beeswax provides a smooth movement on sliding doors or windows, which would otherwise stick if it were not for the coating.

Putting a Coating on Nails and Screws

Because beeswax prevents nails and screws from splintering when driven into beeswax-treated wood, it is also used to help coat the nails and screws.

Water-resistant

Because wax finishes have a modest resistance to water, using them on surfaces at risk of being damaged by water because of the possibility of splashing or spilling could be beneficial.

It can be removed easily using a solvent.

When you wish to give the floor a different appearance, you can use a solvent to remove the wax, eliminating the need to sand and scrape the surface.

Turpentine, mineral spirits, and paint thinner are all examples of these types of solvents.

It is safe to consume.

Because it is not harmful to humans or animals when consumed, beeswax can be safely consumed if necessary.

It is an excellent option for wooden kitchenware, most notably cutting boards.

They are especially recommended.

Because it is non-toxic, beeswax is frequently used to finish wooden toys for children.

So if you have an infant or a young child who puts everything, including the floor, in their mouth, this will come in handy for you.

What changes occur to the wood when it is waxed?

Wax is a sort of wood finish that offers superior levels of protection compared to other types of wood coverings.

When a thin layer of wood wax is applied to the surface of wooden objects, the wood is protected against moisture, and the color of the wood is also preserved for an extended period.

The rich sheen that is produced by wood wax is something that might be difficult to accomplish with other types of materials.

However, wood wax can be applied on either painted or unpainted wood.

Wax is sometimes used as a light lubricant in addition to being used to cure and seal the wood. It is also used to treat and seal the leather.

Applying a thin coat of paste wax to the pull-out drawers and the wooden seat screws may be helpful.

Different kinds of waxes are used for finishing wood.

Beeswax

The most widely used type of wood wax is beeswax.

It is manufactured by first melting honeybee wax, then combining the melted wax with an alcoholic liquid, and finally allowing the mixture to solidify after being cooled.

It is possible to use pure beeswax finish wax, but the wax can also be altered to add other colors and effects.

Carnauba wax

The leaves of a Carnauba palm tree are used to harvest the yellowish-brown vegetable wax known as carnauba wax.

This wax is stiff and brittle.

Because of the use of chemicals in its production, it is significantly more expensive than traditional beeswax.

Mineral wax

Petroleum and carbon are the two primary components used in producing mineral waxes.

Compared to carnauba wax and beeswax, they are not as pure and tend to be less expensive.

Mineral waxes can be used on their own as a finish or as a foundation for additional finishes to be applied on top of them.

Does Beeswax Polish Encourage the Accumulation of Dust?

The correct response is “yes.”

A polish made of beeswax can attract dust.

Because it needs to be waxed regularly to keep its finish looking nice, employing a beeswax polish has this drawback.

It is also possible for fine dirt and grime to become embedded in the surface of the wax, which means that it needs to be regularly cleaned and waxed. This is another downside.

To clean the surface, wipe it down with a moist cloth that has been thoroughly wrung out and is lint-free. Mineral spirits are another option for cleaning the dirty surface, so that you may try those.

FAQ on Disadvantages of Beeswax Finish: Pros and Cons