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Customer Testimonials
'Exceptionally helpful'
As a new woodworker who has come to thoroughly enjoy hand tools and the pleasurable simplicity they bring, you have been an exceptionally helpful guide along the way. Thank you for keeping the craft alive and the wonderful words with it.
– Nik W.
'An honest approach'
I have been a loyal customer of Lost Art Press for many years and have even visited the storefront. Not only do they provide books and tools not available elsewhere, they do so with an honest approach to their customers and the authors. They are a unique institution, which I hope lasts for years to come.
– Mark
'Inspired, educated'
I have been inspired, educated and entertained by Lost Art Press books since the company first started publishing. I have purchased at least 20 books from LAP, and I’ve never been disappointed by the construction, the contents or the service. I am truly grateful to LAP and all the people who make it happen.
– Kurt S.
Holiday (& Other) Store Hours
The Lost Art Press bricks-and-mortar store will be closed this Friday (Nov. 13), because we have collective paraskevidekatriaphobia. Or because we are short-staffed due to vacations, out-of-town classes, teaching teaching obligations ...
My Favorite (but Least Successful) Book: ‘Ingenious Mechanicks’
If I could write 10 more books like “Ingenious Mechanicks,” I would be a happy guy. The book is exactly what I thought I would be doing as a writer and woodworker ...
12 Years of Living With ‘Campaign Furniture’
I grew up with campaign furniture. My grandparents collected it. And my dad was fond of building it. We had stacking campaign chests (and, weirdly, side tables) in our house in Arkansas. I didn’t think ...
Get ‘The Essential Woodworker’ at the 2010 Price
Special offer: We are reducing the price of “The Essential Woodworker” by Robert Wearing to $23 – that’s the price we charged in 2010 when we released our version ...
Ulster Folk Museum (Yes, There are Chairs)
With a trip to London planned, I decided to fly to the U.K. a few days early last month to visit Belfast in Northern Ireland to meet Heritage Carpenter Peter Sloan and Curator of History Fiona Byrne ...
Soft Wax & Soft Wax Kits
Our favorite finish for bare wood is Soft Wax 2.0, a finish made of purified linseed oil, cosmetic-grade beeswax and 100-percent pure citrus solvent. It is non-toxic and leaves a low-luster surface on the wood that is easy to maintain.
For years my daughter Katherine made and sold Soft Wax 2.0 from her Etsy store. Now that Katherine works for Lost Art Press, we have ramped up Soft Wax 2.0 production at our Covington factory.
We sell the wax two ways: Either an 8-ounce jar by itself, or as a kit with an 8-ounce jar, an applicator pad and a Huck-weave towel for buffing. (We also sell the Huck towel and applicator pad separately for your convenience.)
About Soft Wax 2.0
The finish is made by cooking raw linseed oil (from the flax plant) and combining it with cosmetic-grade beeswax and a small amount of a citrus-based solvent. The result is that this finish can be applied without special safety equipment, such as a respirator. The only safety caution is to dry flat the rags that you used to apply the finish before throwing them away. (All linseed oil generates heat as it cures, and there is a small but real chance of the rags catching fire if they are bunched up while wet.)
Soft Wax 2.0 is an ideal finish for pieces that will be touched a lot, such as chairs, turned objects and spoons. The finish does not build a film, so the wood feels like wood – not plastic. Because of this, the wax does not provide a strong barrier against water or alcohol. If you use it on countertops or a kitchen table, you will need to touch it up every once in a while. (We have it on our kitchen countertops and love it.) Simply add a little more Soft Wax to a deteriorated finish and the repair is done – no stripping or additional chemicals needed.
Soft Wax 2.0 is not intended to be used over a film finish (such as lacquer, shellac or varnish). It is best used on bare wood. However, you can apply it over a porous finish, such as milk paint. It also can be applied over bare wood that has been stained or dyed.
You can easily remove cured Soft Wax 2.0 from a surface by flooding the wood with mineral spirits and wiping it away.
How to Apply Soft Wax 2.0
Applying Soft Wax 2.0 is easy if you follow the simple instructions. On bare wood or over milk paint, apply a thin coat of soft wax using a rag, applicator pad, 3M gray pad or steel wool. Allow the finish to soak in for about 15 minutes. Then, with a clean rag or towel, wipe the entire surface until it feels dry. We recommend a Huck-weave towel, which will not leave cloth fibers behind.
Do not leave any excess finish on the surface. If you do leave some behind, the wood will get gummy and sticky.
The finish will be dry enough to use in a couple hours. After a couple weeks, the oil will be fully cured. After that, you can add a second coat (or not). A second coat will add more sheen and a little more protection to the wood.
Soft Wax 2.0 is made in small batches in Covington, Kentucky. Each glass jar contains 8 oz. of soft wax, enough for about five chairs.
About the Applicator Pad & Huck Towel in the Kit
The applicator pad is a 3" x 6" non-woven abrasive gray pad made by 3M/Scotch Brite. These pads are available at many hardware stores. We selling them here for your convenience. These pads are made in the USA.
The Huck-weave towel (color may vary) measures 14" x 26" and is made by ERC Wiping Products. The towel is made in Bangladesh.
Download the SDS for Soft Wax here.