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Paste wax on power tools = blotching?

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796 views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  nickbatz 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Does this belong here or in power tools?

Okay. Every YouTube video tells you to put paste wax on table saws and other tools to make the wood slide easily and prevent rust. It works spectactularly well.

Something just fired in my brain:

IS THAT WHAT'S CAUSING THOSE F-ING BLOTCHES WHEN I'M FINISHING WITH OIL?!

Or does it dry and there's nothing to worry about?

Upon great advice here I switched to hide glue, and I had no blotching issues on the project I just finished. But it's not the oak w/Watco oil that was causing the problems.

TIA
 
#2 ·
Sorry, but if excess wax was on board, the finish would fish eye, or not color as dark, not blotch.
Suggest you read these:

https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/finishing/avoid-or-fix-blotchy-stain

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/finishing/how-to-control-blotching/

https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-stain-wood-evenly-without-getting-blotches-and-dark-spots/

As you will read, they all say same thing: blotch is created by variations in wood. The only way to avoid blotch issues, is with knowledge of what to look for on surface, and proper wood preparation and finishing techniques to avoid it.

There are entire books written on finishing topics, many with different methods and/or solutions. Part of the reason for differing methods is challenge with finishing is natural variations in wood. The best advice is: slow down, read the wood surface carefully to see what is needed, and ensure your sanding and assembly techniques are not making it worse.

If you want to do more than guess, or complain; post pictures of your problems, along with your finishing schedule. Then maybe some of the kind folks here can comment on reasons, and solutions.

Best Luck.
 
#5 ·
Ditto. I have paste wax on every tool top in my shop and it's never presented a problem when finishing. The wax is just a surface coat and it doesn't transfer easily after it dries. I don't know what the other variables are but I doubt paste wax is your problem unless maybe you're putting it on way too thick or not buffing it out? Or maybe you're using some uncommon brand that has a rogue element? A little more info about the products and your finishing schedule may help us help you suss it out some :)
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Okay, so no worries about paste wax. Good, because it works really well, as I said.

Thanks for the replies.

"If you want to do more than guess, or complain; post pictures of your problems, along with your finishing schedule. Then maybe some of the kind folks here can comment on reasons, and solutions."

My ass hurts too. Complaining is fun!

(Thanks for the links - will read. :) )

"Can you post pics of what you mean by "blotching"?"

This thread has them. Again, I think I've solved the problem by using hide glue (specifically Titebond - I'm not gung ho enough to heat it up, etc.).

https://www.lumberjocks.com/topics/306328
 
#7 ·
I also use paste wax liberally on my tools and over joints where glue squeeze out will occur. Never an issue but
I do wipe my projects down with mineral sprits before finishing to remove any wax traces. Oil makes it quite plain where some wax went astray. Luckily I can rescrub that area and reapply the oil like it never happened.
 
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