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what to put on outdoor iron work
February 4, 2018
11:07 pm
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Paul Stanley
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I made a small grave marker for the family cat. I was thinking of putting it out into the weather as is, but is that a bad idea? Should I put some bees wax on it? This is my first outdoor project, and basically my first piece other than classroom pieces. Smile

February 5, 2018
10:17 am
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4elements
Granite Falls, WA
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July 23, 2016
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 people do use bees wax, however it remains slightly sticky and collects dust. There are other wax products that are not so prone to that, car wax, shoe polish, and paraffin come to mind. There are also home made and commercial wax mixtures, rennisance wax is one. Personally, I've only used paraffin on iron and not for outdoor use. Apply at black heat and wipe the excess while the wax is still very soft

March 26, 2018
3:28 pm
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Donk
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July 22, 2010
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Dad did a test with Black Rustoleum and Beeswax mixture (linseed, beeswax, spirits- hot applied) on door handles on our shop.  Both looked OK after 1 year, but the wax one showed rust starting where it had been handled.  Funny thing is after longer period don't look a lot different. Both slightly rusty now in Full  weather exposure on northern side of shop 

 

I would not use Beeswax mixture for long term outside unless you eventually want a rust coat. or redo every year (hot applied).  Paint or powder-coat for heavy use outside, other options include controlled rusting with chemicals such as weak Muratic acid with a GOOD clean off of all acid after usage, gives a nice rust.  You can stabilize rust on handled pieces with the Rustoleum or Navy Jelly type products (not the cleaners, the rustlocking ones). Interestingly Rust with wax applied after rusting can last a good while. although again needs to be hot, (not red just hot to melt wax).

 

There are lots of options but you need to match them to your application.

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