TRG Products
Phone 1-800-3BRIWAX (1-800-327-4929)
Fax 843-342-2824
Wholesale Information: briwax.trg@hargray.com
The Briwax Guy blog
Rolite Premium Metal Polish blog
Helpful Hints and Tips
on Using BRIWAX
What is Briwax?
- Briwax is a blend of beeswax and carnauba wax. An all natural product.
- Beeswax is an excellent preservative, but relatively soft.
- Carnauba wax is a much harder wax. The combination of the two makes for a perfect finish on all surfaces.
- The addition of various dye colors suspended in the wax allows Briwax to diminish minor scratches disappear without changing the character or color of the piece.
- An inherent cleaning solvent in the wax is designed to clean grease and grime off the surface before it evaporates, leaving a waxed surface. This thin film of wax prevents oils and salts (fingerprints) from harming the surface finish.
- The possibilities for Briwax are endless. Use it on wood, leather, marble, concrete, metal or properly cured painted surfaces. The only surface NOT appropriate for Briwax is linoleum. The original blend of carnauba wax for long lasting shine and beeswax for durability protects most finishes.
- Simple to use, it leaves a beautiful finish that is easily maintained.
TIP #1: Briwax is reversible!
What does that mean?
Technically Briwax is an evaporative finish, which means that every time you introduce a petroleum distillate (mineral spirits) to wax, you will dissolve the wax.
Nothing is harmed of course, but a lot of house maids panic when they think they have "ruined" the furniture by spraying a liquid polish such as Pledge over a waxed finish. Simply reapply Briwax again and the problem is solved.
Reversible also means that you can alter the subtle color that Briwax reflects.
For instance: You have a beautiful Mahogany piece that you believe is too "red". Apply Dark Brown Briwax to "tone-down" the red and the piece will appear more in the "Auburn" range of color. If you don't like this effect simply rewax with Antique Mahogany and the red of the piece will be highlighted again. You see, it's reversible! You may do this in ten minutes or ten years, it doesn't matter, it is always reversible.
TIP #2: Briwax is designed to melt at 85℉.
You may have noticed that whenever you apply Briwax it starts to turn liquid under your hand and goes on very easy that way. Your hand's temperature is 98.6℉, so this is why the wax is liquefying. Pretty neat eh?
Now once you have spread the Briwax, the cleaning solvent in the wax will evaporate and the beeswax and carnauba wax blend of Briwax will return to it's natural state and have a melting point of somewhere between 150℉ and 180℉.
You may actually want to use your Briwax liquified -- read more about Using Briwax in a liquid state.
If your Briwax turns to liquid in the can, this in no way diminishes the quality of the product. Simply allow the container to come to room temperature to return to a paste form. (You can also place the can in the refrigerator) Just like butter, the wax will harden again!
TIP #3: The GREEN plastic lid that came on your Briwax can . . . .
The Briwax you purchased, more than likely, came with a GREEN plastic lid. This plastic lid is designed for physically stabilizing the product during shipping and for ease of stacking at your neighborhood retailer.
Once you open the can of Briwax, discard the GREEN plastic lid and RETAIN and use the METAL LID for storing your Briwax. The metal lid will keep your Briwax ready to use on your newly acquired antique or your next woodworking project.
TIP #4: How long will my Briwax finish resist a liquid spill . . .
Envision waxed paper - when you put liquid on the waxed paper, it beads then within a few minutes, the liquid is absorbed into the waxed paper. Briwax will resist a liquid spill for about 20 minutes before the liquid is absorbed into the finish. Simply wipe off the spill and rewax, if necessary.
TIP #5: Achieving a Sheen using Briwax If you looked at a cross-section of your wood under a microscope, the top surface would look much like this:
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
The pores of the wood look much like "peaks" and "valleys". In order to achieve a sheen with Briwax, you must first fill the pores or the "valleys" with Briwax.
On soft woods, such as pine, the pores of the wood are large. Generally three or four applications of Briwax are necessary to completely fill the pores and develop a beautiful hand rubbed luster on raw pine. Pine wood that has already been stained or finished will develop a sheen more quickly.
On hard woods -- maple, oak, birch, etc. -- the pores are quite small. The hand rubbed luster can easily be achieved with one or two applications of Briwax.
Remember these key elements in applying Briwax:
1. Use Briwax sparingly -- a little goes a long way
2. Always buff after each application of Briwax
3. If the wax smudges, you've used too much Briwax.
TIP #6: Does Clear Briwax ever yellow?
Clear Briwax is just like its name - clear and it will NOT yellow. The wax will not yellow because it is made from natural ingredients -- beeswax and carnauba wax.
So, now with confidence, you can use Clear Briwax when you want a sheen, but no color.
Remember, a little Briwax goes a long way, so use it sparingly.
TIP #7: Antique Mahogany Briwax
Just a reminder . . . the Briwax color Antique Mahogany is also known as Cherry. Antique Mahogany has a hint of red and is beautiful on cherry or mahogany woods - to highlight and bring out the natural reds in the wood.
If you think that you need to tone down the red color in the cherry or mahogany woods, you can always use Light Brown Briwax.
TIP #8: Briwax also comes in a 7-Pound Can
Briwax is generally sold in a 16 oz. or 1-pound tin. This is the size container that is seen most frequently in your neighborhood hardware store, antique store or woodworking shop.
If you have a really big job or are in the finishing business, there is also a 7-pound can available. The 7-pound can looks very much like a one gallon paint can. This large can is also referred to as the Trade Size. Clear and all 9 wood tone colors of Briwax are available in both the one pound can and the 7-pound can.
Visit The Briwax Guy blog -- http://briwax.wordpress.com for more tips on using Briwax.
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or
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TRG Products
P. O. Box 23915
Hilton Head, SC 29925
1-800-327-4929
email: briwax.trg@hargray.com
The Briwax Guy blog
Rolite Premium Metal Polish blog
