I have some of those wax bars for charging up my buffing wheels for polishing pen turnings. I've been storing them in zip lock bags inside a brown paper bag and they seem to be drying out. There about 4 years old. Still seems like I can charge wheels ok but thinking eventually these things will petrify and become useless. Any advice on preserving, reviving or extending the life of these things.. Thanks.. -Jim
In message , Jim Hall writes
My basic understanding is many wax based with any abrasive suspended in the wax. So re-melting may be an option
Just don't get it to hot. You will boil off the lighter oils. That might be what is happening. Evaporation. Something like shoe polish wax in a can. Cracks into wedges but can be used.
Mart> In message , Jim Hall
I'm thinking evaporation too.. They're still usable in the sense that they still charge up the buffing wheels, but boy they are hard. I was wondering if you can reverse it or slow it down a little by, say, wrapping them in a slightly damp paper towel inside a zip-lock bag for awhile.. Guess I'll have to experiment a little. As much as I use them, they could last a life time.. at least my life time anyway..
-Jim
what did they smell like when new? what smell is lost? find the solvent or light oil that smells like the missing smell and add some of it to the bar and reform it.
I have partial memories of someone telling me that I would get more compound applied to the wheel if I lightly dampened the wheel with either BLO or mineral spirits. (Can't remember which, now). If you don't put it on lightly, you will discover why you should have as soon as you turn the buffer on.
Old Guy
n Jan 3, 12:11 am, "Bill Noble" wrote:
On Fri, 8 Jan 2010 0:17:18 -0600, Jim Hall wrote (in message ):
a damp paper towel in the bag is a good idea. Would you consider dampening the paper towel with mineral oil or mineral spirits? As you suggest, mold might be an issue - if you use water on that bit of paper towel. Just my opinion. tom koehler
In message , tom koehler writes
The following link may interest. And I guess a little research will provide information on other compounds. Obviously composition will vary depending on source.
Alpha Alumina (alumina - A/O) 73.00 % Triglycerides (animal fat) 20.00% Tallow (tallow glyceride) 7.00%
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