Anyway to keep those wax bars from drying out?

Question

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

John · Accepted Answer

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

Martin H. Eastburn · Answer

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

Jim Hall · Answer

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

Bill Noble · Answer

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.

Old Guy · Answer

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:

Jim Hall · Answer

Thanks for advice.  I can see how too much would cause a problem.  You  know I have these three bars I purchased a few years ago and I can still  get the wax on to the buffing wheels from them.  Just was a little  concerned eventually they will get too hard.  I'm going to try putting a  damp paper towel in one of the ziplock bags with one of the bars and see  what happens..  Maybe that will extend their life a little.. or maybe it  will become a moldy mess..  time will tell, I guess.. -Jim

tom koehler · Answer

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

John · Answer

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.

formatting link

Other compounds exist on the site but for White Rouge Buffing Compound in this case

Alpha Alumina (alumina - A/O) 73.00 % Triglycerides (animal fat) 20.00% Tallow (tallow glyceride) 7.00%

Anyway to keep those wax bars from drying out?

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?