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Marple-surface
Left: untreated (finished by plane). Right: varnished with Propolis-Linseed Oil
varnish
Propolis-Linseed Oil Varnish
Ratio by weight of linseed oil / beeswax / propolis = 8 / 2,5 / 4.
This recipe yields a high quality, pleasant-smelling and
ecologically friendly varnish for wooden objects which come
in frequent contact with skin, e.g. children’s toys, bathroom
and sauna furniture, kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, etc.
We recommend using a linseed oil which is free of chemicals,
such as our Linolja oil (No. 705275). To make the varnish,
first warm the linseed oil to ca. 60° - 70° C and dissolve
the propolis in the oil. Next, filter the solution and mix the
beeswax into the warm solution. To improve the varnish’s
resistance to water, 10 - 50% Chinese tung oil (Lignea, No.
705286) may be used. The hardness of the varnish can also
be increased by replacing some of the beeswax with the
harder Carnauba wax (No. 810009).
Russian Varnish
Ratio by weight of linseed oil / beeswax / propolis = 4 / 1 / 2.
A variation of the varnish described above which displays a
higher degree of hardness, primarily used for restoring
antiques or objects subject to heavy wear. Directions as
above.
Hardening
Addition of resins such as mastic, sandarac or shellac will
increase the hardness of the varnish coat and make applying
the varnish easier.
De-Waxing
The wax dissolved in the propolis-alcohol solution can be
removed if a finish with a higher degree of hardness is
desired. Simply cool the solution until the wax solidifies
at the surface are remove it from the solution.
Hardening
Addition of resins such as mastic, sandarac or shellac will
increase the hardness of the varnish coat and make applying
the varnish easier.
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