Oak wax

[Abi Cott]

I've put up an oak shelf made from a window board. It's a temporary thing to make the rooms I'm living in a bit more habitable.

It's very pale and I'd prefer it to be a richer colour. I was thinking some coloured wax might do the trick and I'm sure someone on here can suggest which brand to use, or an alternative idea.

 

[Kearn]

Mylands wax is great, but hard to find. I used a coloured flavour, although as you'd imagine, it didn't impart much colour change, but I picked a conservative colour assuming I could build it up, but I ended up using a light stain before I waxed in the end, although I was colour matching.
There is quite a range of colours available though. I managed to get a colour chart of photographed actual wood emailed from somewhere, which was quite useful as a guide, given the descriptions don't help much! Send me a message if it would help and I'll dig it out and email it...I can also track down where I got it from

EDIT. The wax was actually relatively easy to get, it was the strain that was harder to find! Wax came from Amazon, sold by a company called Architectural Decor, who are based in Bristol and were really knowledgeable and helpful over the phone giving lots of advice. Come to think of it, it may be the stains that I have the colour matches for...

 

[Abi Cott]

That would be very helpful. I've sent you a message

 

[steveb]

can't remember how long ago but I waxed some untreated oak furniture that I made (well, bodged) with a wax that I bought. I am 95% sure that it was a holkhams / allback beeswax oil and it turned the oak a lovely golden tone - as opposed to some horrific golden tones that you often get . The only reason I think it was holkham/allback was that the dates line up with a big purchase of linseed oil and paint and I think I bought a tub of furniture wax as an experiment.. possibly this or similar, but it came in a different container:

https://www.oldhousestore.co.uk/linseed-wax----natural-435-p.asp

The other thing I use that darkens quite a bit and adds protection is a bright blue bottle of wax that the name entirely escapes me. Goes on a bit like milky egg white and then dries clear. Trouble is I am 250 miles from my man-shed otherwise I could tell you what is on the tin. If it comes to be in a flash of inspiration I will update the post

--edit-- polyvine wax finish.
https://www.clairescrafthouse.co.uk/chalk-paint-shop/polyvine-wax-finish-varnish-dead-flat-satin-500ml-litre


-Steve

 

[Cubist]

Hi Abi,
A few years back I built a hall-robe and window-seat using left over oak floor boards from another project and finished them with a Georgian Oak stain (Coloron) and then a thin coat of (Mylands) dark oak wax buffed to a good shine. The final finish met all my requirements for a slightly glossy mid tone brown and has resisted quite a lot of knocking about - given its location and uses - and requires little maintenance other than dusting. Compared to some these brands are relatively inexpensive and are readily available in most DIY stores.

The only thing you need to bear in mind is that wax does not provide much resistance to liquid penetration and a carelessly placed tea mug or wine glass will often get you a nice white ring in the finish.

Cheers,

Cubist

 

[88v8]

I made some fittings from green oak, then applied a couple of coats of Briwax, no stain.
Toby doesn't like Briwax.
But it's easily available and I had a tin, so...........

And the finish is OK.

Try whatever on back edge of the shelf.

Ivor

 

[MikeG]

Don't put anything hot or wet anywhere near a waxed piece of wood. If it is a shelf just for ornaments or knick knacks or whatever, then fine, but if it has a fish tank or a cup of tea on it, ever, it will wreck it.

 

[Abi Cott]

It's 6' off the ground, and 8' x 10". I can only see the bottom of it so when some twonk manages to put his pint of beer on it I won't be able to tell.

It's primarily for music books and musical instruments, though I'm sure a few nicknacks and other types of books will sneak in. At 8' long it will take a fair bit of filling.

 

[Cubist]

Eight feet by ten inches solid oak?

Oak boards of that width are few and far between these days unless you are prepared to spend a small fortune. Sorry Abi, but a shelf would be last thing I would use such a timber for; but then I am a puritanical, perfectionist pedant with a strange affection for oak.

Cheers,
Cubist

 

[TheForge]

There’s a traditional timber yard near me called Yandles who used to stock European oak planks at about this size and 1” thick for around £36. I notice they only seem to be holding stock of thinner planks at the moment.

They had a big order from the Houses for Parliament to replace floorboards with these planks not long ago.

www.yandles.co.uk

 

[Abi Cott]

It's only 20mm thick so needs well spaced brackets for it's intended purpose, but I hate pine. I like oak and if you are going to put musical script books on it, nothing less than 10" really cuts the mustard. I had to hunt through several suppliers in West Yorkshire before I found one able to provide at a price I was willing to pay.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I've used a nitro stain and then varnish with good effect on switch patresses. I can show a picture if you like. They are a mid brown colour. Wax on oak will not bring out the grain. Something solvent based like french polish, osmo or polyeurethane will bring out the grain and colour which I think makes for a nicer finish. Wax on top can give a nice soft sheen.

 

[Cubist]

There’s a traditional timber yard near me called Yandles who used to stock European oak planks at about this size and 1” thick for around £36. I notice they only seem to be holding stock of thinner planks at the moment.

They had a big order from the Houses for Parliament to replace floorboards with these planks not long ago.

www.yandles.co.uk

Thanks for the link. I sometimes go to meet up with the Outlaws who live near bath so I'll try get along to Yandles to take a look see.

 

[Cubist]

It's only 20mm thick so needs well spaced brackets for it's intended purpose, but I hate pine. I like oak and if you are going to put musical script books on it, nothing less than 10" really cuts the mustard. I had to hunt through several suppliers in West Yorkshire before I found one able to provide at a price I was willing to pay.

OK Abi, grudgingly I'll accept its an appropriate use for such a fine timber but hopefully any knick-knacks will be pushed to the back and your taller visitors are suitably admonished if they threaten it with a wine glass.

 

[Abi Cott]

I've put a bit of "wood silk" polish on it which has definitely helped. It now has a much more attractive colour and the grain pattern is showing nicely.

I'm aware the polish might stuff me using any stain on it, but it is a "temporary" fixture after all. I might still look at a coloured wax, but it's much better looking even with that quick fix.

 

[MikeG]

There’s a traditional timber yard near me called Yandles who used to stock European oak planks at about this size and 1” thick for around £36. I notice they only seem to be holding stock of thinner planks at the moment.

They had a big order from the Houses for Parliament to replace floorboards with these planks not long ago.

www.yandles.co.uk

Yandles isn't any old timber yard. They are one of the leading suppliers of specialist timbers in the country. Wood turners in particular will travel hundreds of miles to rifle through their wares. Any decent timber yard will sell a piece of seasoned European oak to suit this shelf, and most will also plane it up for you to "PAR" (planed all round). A 10" board is absolutely commonplace. I bought a couple of 18"+ boards a few weeks ago to make a front door for my porch: