Lost Art Press Soft Wax & Soft Wax Kits

Product Description

The Lost Art Press favourite finish for bare wood is Soft Wax 2.0, a finish made of purified linseed oil, cosmetic-grade beeswax and 100 percent pure citrus solvent. It is non toxic and leaves a low luster surface on the wood that is easy to maintain.

For years Chris' daughter Katherine made and sold Soft Wax 2.0 from her Etsy store. Now that Katherine works for Lost Art Press, they have ramped up Soft Wax 2.0 production at their Covington factory.

They sell the wax two ways: Either an 8 ounce jar by itself, or as a kit with an 8 ounce jar, an applicator pad and a Huck weave towel for buffing. 

About Soft Wax 2.0

The finish is made by cooking raw linseed oil (from the flax plant) and combining it with cosmetic grade beeswax and a small amount of a citrus based solvent. The result is that this finish can be applied without special safety equipment, such as a respirator. The only safety caution is to dry flat the rags that you used to apply the finish before throwing them away. (All linseed oil generates heat as it cures, and there is a small but real chance of the rags catching fire if they are bunched up while wet.)

Soft Wax 2.0 is an ideal finish for pieces that will be touched a lot, such as chairs, turned objects and spoons. The finish does not build a film, so the wood feels like wood – not plastic. Because of this, the wax does not provide a strong barrier against water or alcohol. If you use it on countertops or a kitchen table, you will need to touch it up every once in a while. (Lost Art Press have it on their kitchen countertops and love it.) Simply add a little more Soft Wax to a deteriorated finish and the repair is done – no stripping or additional chemicals needed.

Soft Wax 2.0 is not intended to be used over a film finish (such as lacquer, shellac or varnish). It is best used on bare wood. However, you can apply it over a porous finish, such as milk paint. It also can be applied over bare wood that has been stained or dyed.
You can easily remove cured Soft Wax 2.0 from a surface by flooding the wood with mineral spirits and wiping it away.

How to Apply Soft Wax 2.0

Applying Soft Wax 2.0 is easy if you follow the simple instructions. On bare wood or over milk paint, apply a thin coat of soft wax using a rag, applicator pad, 3M gray pad or steel wool. Allow the finish to soak in for about 15 minutes. Then, with a clean rag or towel, wipe the entire surface until it feels dry. Lost Art Press recommend a Huck-weave towel, which will not leave cloth fibres behind. 

Do not leave any excess finish on the surface. If you do leave some behind, the wood will get gummy and sticky.

The finish will be dry enough to use in a couple hours. After a couple weeks, the oil will be fully cured. After that, you can add a second coat (or not). A second coat will add more sheen and a little more protection to the wood.

Soft Wax 2.0 is made in small batches in Covington, Kentucky. Each glass jar contains 8oz of soft wax, enough for about five chairs.

About the Applicator Pad & Huck Towel in the Kit

The applicator pad is a 3" x 6" non woven abrasive gray pad made by 3M/Scotch Brite. These pads are available at many hardware stores. These pads are made in the USA.

The Huck-weave towel (colour may vary) measures 14" x 26" and is made by ERC Wiping Products. The towel is made in Bangladesh.

Download the SDS for Soft Wax here.

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