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.

Uses of Creamed Beeswax and Sheradale Wax

So what is the difference between Briwax Creamed beeswax and Briwax Sheradale Wax?

Our Briwax Creamed beeswax is manufactured from the old traditional formula of refined beeswax, linseed oil and turpentine. The amount of linseed oil used gives the product that creamy consistency. There is nocarnauba wax in this product so the shine will not be as pronounced. This is a wax that was developed for true Antiques, pieces over 100 years old.

The Briwax Sheradale wax is basically the same formula as our cream beeswax but with less linseed oil used. This formula provides a more paste like consistency. Sheradale comes in a Clear and an Antique Brown. The color in the wax is used to hide minor scratches.

So if you are looking to maintain your fine furniture and you do not want much of a shine, use either Briwax Creamed beeswax or Briwax Sheradale. They both will do an excellent job of providing the protection that your furniture deserves.

Facts about Beeswax

Uses of Beeswax:

(facts that you probably never really wanted to know but here they are anyway)

Briwax uses a blend of beeswax and carnauba wax. The beeswax in Briwax primarily comes from Australia and New Zealand. Carnauba wax is found only in Brazil.

A lot of folks ask us if Briwax is safe for cutting boards and for children’s furniture. We always respond that beeswax is inert, which basically means it is food safe and really effects nothing. It is just wonderful stuff. Once the solvent evaporates, with Briwax, you are left with two natural waxes – beeswax and Carnuba. Always make sure your wax has beeswax in it.

Here are some of the uses and applications of beeswax that you may find interesting.

• Candles
• Lip balm
• Cosmetics
• Medical creams
• Waterproofs shoes and fishing lines
• Wax for skis, toboggans and bow strings
• Used as a coating for cheese
• Of course, furniture polish (Briwax)
• Soap making
• Beard and mustache wax
• Crayons
• A seal for jams and jellies
• Leather waterproofing
• “Lost –wax” method of metal casting (Class rings and Golf Clubs)
• Embalming procedures (Mummifying)
• Polishes
• Wood filler
• Tack cloths
• Glass etching

Technical Facts about beeswax.

A stable chemical makeup that essentially remains constant over time

Insoluble in water, density 0.95

Becomes brittle below 10º C (52º F)

Becomes soft and pliable above 25º C (82ºF)

Melting point 65 C (highest melting point of any known wax, 162ºF)

Beeswax does not deteriorate over time (usable beeswax found in ancient tombs)

The Briwax Family of Fine Products

From time to time, we’ll introduce you to some of the other products that carries the fine Briwax family of products name - including:

Sheradale Wax, Liming Wax, Natural Creamed Beeswax, Danish Oil, Teak Oil, Marble Wax, Furniture Cleaner, Water-Based Wood Dyes, Shellac Sanding Sealer, Wax Filler Sticks, Touch-up Dye Pens . . .

Just What is Briwax?

• Briwax is a blend of beeswax and carnauba wax.  An all natural product.
• Beeswax is an excellent preservative, but relatively soft.
• Carnauba wax is a much harder wax.  The combination of the two makes for a perfect finish on all surfaces.
• The addition of various dye colors suspended in the wax allows Briwax to diminish minor scratches disappear without changing the character or color of the piece.
• An inherent cleaning solvent in the wax is designed to clean grease and grime off the surface before it evaporates, leaving a waxed surface.  This thin film of wax prevents oils and salts (fingerprints) from harming the surface finish.
• The possibilities for Briwax are endless.  Use it on wood, leather, marble, concrete, metal or properly cured painted surfaces.  The only surface NOT appropriate for Briwax is linoleum.  The original blend of carnauba wax for long lasting shine and beeswax for durability protects most finishes.
• Simple to use, it leaves a beautiful finish that is easily maintained.

By the way, Briwax is pronounced BRI wax - long I - rhymes with my.  So, remember the jingle . . . My Wax, Briwax!

Using Briwax on Finished Wood

It is always a good idea to test Briwax in an inconspicuous area of a piece of furniture first. Try it on the underside of a table apron, inside of a drawer or the inside of a table leg. Your test spot can let you explore color compatibility, finish and sheen level. Work in small areas at a time. You don't need to worry about match lines - Briwax will blend every time!

If your piece is smooth and relatively clean, apply Briwax with a soft cloth - a small terry cloth towel works very well. Using the soft cloth, pick up a SMALL amount of Briwax. As the British would say, "use it sparingly". Now, spread the Briwax onto your furniture as far as it will go - you'll notice that the areas where Briwax has been applied will be dull.

You'll want to rub to get Briwax into the pores / cracks / crevasses of the piece. You can apply Briwax in a circular motion, but always finish with the grain. Allow the Briwax to dry - usually within minutes. Now, with a clean, fresh cloth, buff the area. You should see a lovely sheen.

Now, move to the next section of the piece and repeat the process. If you don't achieve the sheen you desire with the first application of Briwax, repeat it. The solvent that is in Briwax will dissolve the previous application - you'll never have wax build-up!

If your piece is excessively dirty or has rough spots, you can apply Briwax using #0000 steel wool. Simply get a small piece of steel wool, pick up Briwax with the steel wool and rub Briwax into the piece. Don't apply a lot of pressure, let Briwax work for you. The solvent in the product will clean the dirt off of the piece. Briwax likes a rough surface and needs something to hold on to!!

Remember . . .

1. Use Briwax sparingly - a little goes a long way. For example, a 6 foot dining table top will require only about one tablespoon of Briwax!!!
2. You'll never have lap marks.
3. If you can't achieve a sheen, you have too much Briwax on your piece. But, remember, Briwax removes the previous application - and as strange as it may sound, apply more Briwax (sparingly) to remove the excess wax.