For use on unfinished or oil-finished wood (not varnished wood), this 2-in-1 treatment both penetrates and protects raw wood, giving it a soft buttery feel and a polished look.
Choose our original formula (version 1.0) or the new formula (version 2.0) from the drop-down menu. The linseed oil content is higher in the new formula, making it softer and easier to work with.
Linseed oil is a drying oil. It penetrates the wood and adds a rich luster, along with a resin strength once it has cured. Beeswax adds a protective layer to prevent dust, debris, and mold from reaching the wood itself. Turpentine thins the product, making the paste wax softer and easier to apply, while also helping the linseed oil penetrate deeper into the wood.
For a non-drying oil, check out our Monkey Butter.
Our Formula 2.0 comes in a 2oz tin (60g) or 8oz jar (240g), made in-house by Solomon from just three all-natural ingredients of US origins:
- 29% Local Rocky Mountain Beeswax (Defiance Bee & Honey, Colorado).
- 57% Special Linseed Oil (EarthPaint, North Carolina). Pure flax oil made from high-quality flax, extracted, cleaned, and refined. Nothing added; no chemical dryers or VOCs.
- 14% Pure Gum Spirits of Turpentine (Creekwood Naturals, North Carolina). 100% pure gum spirits, distilled directly from pine rosin - not like common turpentine which is an industrial by-product of paper pulp.
(We still have some stock of Formula 1.0, which is the same product but different proportions: 40% Beeswax, 40% Special Linseed Oil, 20% Turpentine).
Instructions: Apply this paste to raw or oil-treated wood, using a cloth or plastic abrasive. If the wood is already treated, applying with #0000 steel wool may be more effective. Give the paste a half hour to set, allowing this time for the oil to penetrate the wood. Buff with a clean cotton cloth, both to work the wax into the pores of the wood and to remove the excess. Allow at least 72 hours to cure (longer in cold or humid climates), but preferably up to 3 weeks. The turpentine will evaporate leaving just the sweet smell of beeswax. Then buff again.
See our Care Instructions for more about treating wood equipment.
Dangers:
- Some people have an allergic reaction to Flax Oil and/or Turpentine (Pure Gum Spirits). When in doubt, wear Personal Protective Equipment when handling this product.
- Some traditional boards have a Urushi lacquer grid, which is in the Poison Ivy family. Use non-latex gloves in a well-ventilated area. A cloth or plastic abrasive will be better than steel wool to avoid disturbing the lacquer.
- Linseed oil generates heat as it dries, so do not wad up your applicator(s) or throw them directly into the trash. Wadded towels soaked in linseed oil have been known to start fires. Instead, lay such items flat on a stone or concrete surface until they have cured, then they can be discarded. Items that you want to keep should be washed with water and a detergent.
- This product is not food-safe due to the presence of Turpentine. Once it has fully cured then the turpentine will have evaporated, rendering it food-safe.
