Wax polish your beams ?

[masochists-r-us]

Before I set to and wax our very old beams, I would be interested in the views of the forum as to whether to do it and if so should I use a coloured wax such as Briwax P7 or Dark Oak perhaps to enhance the natural colour.This is on the basis that they're looking very dried out and quite damaged in places - unsurprising given their age I suppose.
Despite having bought numerous period mags there doesn't appear to be much advice going on this subject.

 

[Moo]

Before you decide on the sort of wax to use (natural.. dark oak.. ) wet an area really thoroughly. This will give you a pretty good idea of the finished effect should you use a clear/'natural' wax.
I have two attic rooms with exposed timber and wish I'd waxed the beams in both of them. The difference isn't startling but there's a certain 'something' about the waxed ones, to the informed eye.

 

[chuckey]

Unless your beams have the smoothness of a dining table top, don't do it. It makes cleaning them impossible to clean without stripping all the wax off. Not quite as convenient to do as a bureau top.
Frank

 

[Moo]

Oh, dear.
I waxed mine nearly twelve years ago and since then it's never occurred to me to clean them.
An occasional pass with a long-handled feather duster to dislodge cobwebs is all the attention they've had.

I hang my head in shame.

(But I'm too idle to change my ways.)

 

[yamin]

Have to say, cleaning beams???? I join you in the hall of shame. Lucky if the floors get cleaned around here! I like to think its homely, as opposed to filthy!!!!

 

[Tom]

Yamin, sounds like you and I have more in common than just dirty glass on our stoves!! :wink: :lol:

Jaqy

 

[yamin]

Yamin, sounds like you and I have more in common than just dirty glass on our stoves!! :wink: :lol:

Jaqy

:lol: :lol:

how lovely to have someone to share all my dirty secrets with!!!!

 

[middi]

Shame on you for cleaning floors ( :wink: )

There is nothing wrong in applying liquid bees wax on beams, just wipe or soak up the exess as best as possible after application and leave them alone. It is very easy to get the dust off (every few years or so,or whenever it takes your fancy) as dust does not stick very well to wax.
In the interest of conservation it is not advisable to use anything that has "tints" or any "hard " finish to it,

 

[Lime]

I would not apply anything to oak.
It ages well all by itself.
Wax has a limited life and ends up dry dust.
I would never use a colour of any sort.
I've seen too much damage done by coloured finishes in the past to want that to happen again.

 

[Micky]

Agree with Middi I used liquid bees wax (Liberon I think) gives a lovely finish not dark at all and I can tell you our house is dust central but I have not felt the need to dust them, as Middi says it does not seem to stick to the wax. You may want to wait for a warmish day becuase you'll want the windows/doors open..although I rather enjoyed the fumes. I guess it's personal taste but ours definitely looked better after waxing.
Micky

 

[Jon Maine]

The accepted conservation industry practice is to use linseed oil mixed with turps.

We did ours with teak oil mixed with turps, ending up with a similar result. They however look dry again now.

I guess its personal choice although I would agree not to add any tints.

 

[Carol]

We used beeswax but Jon Maine's look much better than ours!