Polishing wax finish using Rotex 90

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I was wondering what would be the best way to go to polish up a wax finish, on a new piece, using the Rotex 90... The polishing pad, No. 495625, and the sheepskin, No. 493079...or, something else?  Thanks.

 

[RONWEN]

I'll give your post a bump, I am also curious about the answer to your question.

 

[mouppe]

Alright, I'll bite!

Most of the time, I apply and buff wax by hand, but when I use my rotex- mine's a 125- this is what I do. I apply the wax by hand with a cloth. Wait fifteen minutes or so. I use Antiquax or Anciens Ebenistes Buffing wax.

Then, I turn the rotex 125 to rotex mode- not random orbit- speed level 3. I use a green polishing pad but you could use a blue hard pad if you don't have one. No dust hose necessary.  I have a Festool sheepskin pad but I prefer Surbuf pads. I have different colour waxes and each of my surbuf pads has the colour wax written on them. Keep the rotex moving and the pressure light.

I usually do several coats of wax over a couple of days. I only use Antiquax at home- this is hands down the best wax I have ever encountered, and it dries very hard- but if I want to change the colour of the wood, I use the Anciens Ebenistes wax in the workshop.

Festool UK put out a brochure a while ago entitled "Oiling and Waxing." Here is a link to the pdf.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDcQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.festool.com.au%2FWebRoot%2FStore%2FShops%2Ftooltechnic%2FMediaGallery%2FGuides%2Foil-and-wax%2Foiling_and_waxing.pdf&ei=0CxUUo2UF8KYqQHB2YFY&usg=AFQjCNH9H4VdXcmQK3dMRoHaBK02zqqmUw&sig2=ghj9J56L6gn8Bzt_-sGV4A&bvm=bv.53537100,d.aWM

http://www.antiquax.info/

http://www.artantiquequebec.com/en/buffing-wax-anciens-ebenistes.htm

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Some really great tips, RL! Thanks! [big grin]

 

[RONWEN]

Alright, I'll bite!

Most of the time, I apply and buff wax by hand, but when I use my rotex- mine's a 125- this is what I do. I apply the wax by hand with a cloth. Wait fifteen minutes or so. I use Antiquax or Anciens Ebenistes Buffing wax.

Then, I turn the rotex 125 to rotex mode- not random orbit- speed level 3. I use a green polishing pad but you could use a blue hard pad if you don't have one. No dust hose necessary.  I have a Festool sheepskin pad but I prefer Surbuf pads. I have different colour waxes and each of my surbuf pads has the colour wax written on them. Keep the rotex moving and the pressure light.

I usually do several coats of wax over a couple of days. I only use Antiquax at home- this is hands down the best wax I have ever encountered, and it dries very hard- but if I want to change the colour of the wood, I use the Anciens Ebenistes wax in the workshop.

Festool UK put out a brochure a while ago entitled "Oiling and Waxing." Here is a link to the pdf.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDcQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.festool.com.au%2FWebRoot%2FStore%2FShops%2Ftooltechnic%2FMediaGallery%2FGuides%2Foil-and-wax%2Foiling_and_waxing.pdf&ei=0CxUUo2UF8KYqQHB2YFY&usg=AFQjCNH9H4VdXcmQK3dMRoHaBK02zqqmUw&sig2=ghj9J56L6gn8Bzt_-sGV4A&bvm=bv.53537100,d.aWM

http://www.antiquax.info/

http://www.artantiquequebec.com/en/buffing-wax-anciens-ebenistes.htm

Thanks RL, I just ordered some Antiquax wax and Surbuf pads.

 

[mouppe]

Nice one, Ron, you'll love the wax. Smells of cinammon too!

 

[RONWEN]

Thanks for the great tip RL -- I got some 6" Surbuf pads for my RO150 and 3" pads for my Metabo sander.  Those pads along with the Antiquax compound did an excellent job on my current project.  As you mentioned the Antiquax is delightful to use.  [thumbs up]

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I sent an email to Surbuf  on Thursday, to find out if their 3" pad can stretch to cover the 90 mm Rotex 90's polishing attachment...still haven't heard back from them.  Will let you all know, when I do.

I have a lot of beeswax to get through, but will look into trying your suggestion,RL, when it's used up.

 

[RONWEN]

I sent an email to Surbuf  on Thursday, to find out if their 3" pad can stretch to cover the 90 mm Rotex 90's polishing attachment...still haven't heard back from them.  Will let you all know, when I do.

I have a lot of beeswax to get through, but will look into trying your suggestion,RL, when it's used up.

The 3" Surbuf pads I got measure ~3-1/4".  Those are perfect for my Metabo sander especially since dust collection isn't needed.

 

[tiralie]

Richard:

Thanks for the info. I have a project coming up where I have to trim a well used and worn pine table and need to match the freshly sawed edges to the top.

but if I want to change the colour of the wood, I use the Anciens Ebenistes wax in the workshop.

I am not sure I understand the above quote; does the Anciens Ebenistes actually have (more) color in it, or do you mean after staining the wood you use the Anciens Ebenistes?

Festool UK put out a brochure a while ago entitled "Oiling and Waxing." Here is a link to the pdf.

Thanks, just what I was looking for.

Tim

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

The 3" Surbuf pads I got measure ~3-1/4". 
[/quote]

Ron,
  3-1/4 inches is about 82.5mm...do you think they stretch another 7.5mm ? Thanks.

 

[RONWEN]

The 3" Surbuf pads I got measure ~3-1/4". 

Ron,
  3-1/4 inches is about 82.5mm...do you think they stretch another 7.5mm ? Thanks.
[/quote]

Stretch no, but centered on your machine that's only slightly more than 1/8" on a side so unless you are working into corners or against shoulders I doubt you'll have a problem with anything other than the pad contacting the work piece.  I believe their next size up is 4" which without looking at my RO90 could work also.

 

[mouppe]

The surbuf pads should slightly overhang the rotex pad.

Tim, I should have explained myself better. I usually use a coloured wax in combination with a stain. The Anciens Ebenistes waxes are available in different colours, as well as a natural (clear) wax. They are jelly-like waxes (I think the solvent is turpentine) applied with a brush or cloth. Because it's a wax, it doesn't penetrate deeply enough to really stain the wood properly, but it can help to make the colour change more intense.

As an example here is my pine chest with an avodire lid and skirts. Photo 1 is before any finish. I used an A.E. cherry wax with a colonial maple gel stain underneath (if my memory is correct). The gel stain got me most of the way as in photo 2, but the wax definitely improves the overall look as in photo 3, particularly on the pine carcass and lower skirt.

 

[mouppe]

Thanks for the great tip RL -- I got some 6" Surbuf pads for my RO150 and 3" pads for my Metabo sander.  Those pads along with the Antiquax compound did an excellent job on my current project.  As you mentioned the Antiquax is delightful to use.   [thumbs up]

Excellent. Glad you like it! Spread the word!

 

[RONWEN]

RL, I see a lot of hand cut dovetails -- BEAUTIFUL!  [thumbs up]

 

[mouppe]

Thanks, they were fun to cut, but NOT fun to glue up!

[big grin]

 

[RONWEN]

Thanks, they were fun to cut, but NOT fun to glue up!

[big grin]

[smile]   Not a good time to use hot hide glue, even modern stuff with decent open time makes you pucker...   [scared]

 

[tiralie]

The gel stain got me most of the way as in photo 2, but the wax definitely improves the overall look as in photo 3, particularly on the pine carcass and lower skirt.

Thanks Richard.
The Chest looks great! The chest photo's show the affect I was hoping was achievable perfectly.
Tim

 

[leakyroof]

The 3" Surbuf pads I got measure ~3-1/4".  

Ron,
 3-1/4 inches is about 82.5mm...do you think they stretch another 7.5mm ? Thanks.
[/quote] The 80mm polishing backing pad from Festool should work with any 82.5 mm hook and loop polishing pad as it's smaller than the 90mm sanding pad. Does this help you out?
Part number- 495625.