Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Clear Briwax

Yesterday, one of our customers asked if we knew of a wax that did not yellow. Why, of course we do. Its called Clear Briwax.

Clear Briwax is just like its name – clear and it will NOT yellow.

So, now with confidence, you can use Clear Briwax when you want a sheen, but no color.

Remember, a little Briwax goes a long way, so use it sparingly.

Can Briwax be used over Paint?

Absolutely. Make certain that the paint is cured. Here is a step by step method of taking an unfinished piece to a painted, distressed and finished piece. Of course, the final finish is Briwax.

Here’s the finished piece

Now, how did we do this?

Briwax on Kitchen Cabinets

Briwax is an excellent choice for cleaning up kitchen cabinets. The inherent solvent in Briwax will clean off the grease and the wax will fill in the scratches and leave a wonderful beeswax film on the cabinets themselves.

The photo below shows two cabinets that the manufacturer gave us 15 years ago. We let one of the cabinet doors alone, we did nothing to it, and the other we waxed with Briwax Light Brown. As air dulls the finish (oxidation) of one door, the other door with the Briwax seal prevents the oxygen from reaching the finish and dulling it. The Briwax finish will oxidize (the beeswax will dull) in a few years but a simple buffing with a clean cloth will restore its lustre.

Using Briwax on Metal

Briwax is excellent on all metals and actually forms a seal on the surface that prevents oxygen from tarnishing the metal.

Oxidation is simply the interaction between oxygen and the substance it contacts. Oxygen on a freshly sliced apple turns brown, a bicycle fender becomes rusty and a copper penny turns green.

Preventing the tarnishing of metal caused by the air we breathe calls for a layer of protection between the surface and the air. This means a coating of wax, polyurethane, lacquer or an anti-oxidant like lemon juice on fruit.

These photos of a rusted Hurricane Star show the effects of oxygen on the iron metal.

Then we wax right over the rust with Briwax to form a seal and prevent the air from reaching the iron.

Now this piece will never rust again until the wax is removed.

Nottingham Antiques


Our customers use Briwax in many different ways. We wanted to share some of their successes . . .

Are you looking to replace your kitchen cabinets? Or perhaps you’re trying to find the “perfect” piece of furniture . . . a piece that may just need to be custom designed and made to your specifications.

Want to use reclaimed pine or cherry wood? Want a painted piece? No problem, Nottingham can make it just like you like it! They’re located in Atlanta, GA; however, they can ship all over the US. They even sell antiques.

All of these pieces can be easily maintained with Briwax.

Visit Nottingham’s website, then give them a call. You won’t be disappointed.

Customer Payment Options


We’re pleased to let our customers know that we now accept the Discover Card.

Feel free to pay with American Express, Visa MasterCard and now Discover!


My Briwax is liquid, what now?

Just a reminder . . . it is Summer, it is HOT and your Briwax will turn liquid . . .

Briwax will turn into a liquid in hot weather. This in no way diminishes the quality of the product. In fact, Briwax is designed to turn liquid and can be used in a liquid state (see Using Briwax in a Liquid State on this blog).

Simply allow the container to come to room temperature – either by placing the container in the refrigerator for several hours, or by bringing the container into an air conditioned room – and Briwax will return to a paste form.

In warm weather, you might want to place the container of Briwax in an air conditioned room the night before you plan on using it. The container can be placed in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

Since Briwax is to be applied sparingly, the paste form of the wax will allow a less wasteful application.

Just remember, the quality of your Briwax is just fine – either in a liquid state or paste form!!

Antique Mahogany Briwax is also known as Cherry

Just a reminder . . . the Briwax color Antique Mahogany is also known as Cherry. Antique Mahogany has a hint of red and is beautiful on cherry or mahogany woods – to highlight and bring out the natural reds in the wood.

If you think that you need to tone down the red color in the cherry or mahogany woods, you can always use Light Brown Briwax.

The choice is yours . . . do a good job!