Hi there,

Just deep cleaned my tiled floor (porous tiles) and have heard about a
traditional method of applying polish would be to mix Beeswax and
Turpentine in a 6/8 mixture and apply to the floor...

Do I have to apply this "hot" and is there any supplier details for
this type of polish? Any other tips on applying the stuff?

Thanks!

Simon

On 5 Apr 2005 10:14:10 -0700, "Simon" wrote:

Just deep cleaned my tiled floor (porous tiles) and have heard about a
traditional method of applying polish would be to mix Beeswax and
Turpentine in a 6/8 mixture and apply to the floor...

It's a good polish for wood (50:50, or even less turpentine though)
but it's too soft for a floor.
http://codesmiths.com/shed/workshop/.../waxpolish.htm
You can also try the "creamed" wax polish, made by adding a little
ammonia - makes it easier to apply.

Do I have to apply this "hot"

No, the turpentine is a solvent - needs to be real stuff, not
substitute. If you try to apply wax hot it chills when it hits the
surface and freezes - you need something that's still workable cold,
until the solvent evaporates.

and is there any supplier details for this type of polish?

Buy a wax floor polish (everyone makes 'em). You need a harder wax for
floors or stone and making your own with carnauba is hard work.

Get the sealer right first. It makes a big difference to the look and
wear quality of a wax polished stone or tile floor.

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...


Buy a wax floor polish (everyone makes 'em).

I'd agree with that - buy one made for tiled floors though, not wooden ones.

You need a harder wax for
floors or stone and making your own with carnauba is hard work.

Well, it's not, but if you have beeswax in it your floor will get dirty
quickly, the dirt on your shoes sticks to the soft beeswax element.

Believe me, I make beeswax polish!

Get the sealer right first. It makes a big difference to the look and
wear quality of a wax polished stone or tile floor.

That too.

Mary

On Tue, 5 Apr 2005 21:23:35 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:

You need a harder wax for
floors or stone and making your own with carnauba is hard work.

Well, it's not,

What do you melt your wax over, and how big a batch do you make ?
Maybe I'm impatient, but I always have trouble getting carnauba or
candelilla to dissolve properly.

You need a harder wax for
floors or stone and making your own with carnauba is hard work.

Well, it's not,

What do you melt your wax over, and how big a batch do you make ?
Maybe I'm impatient, but I always have trouble getting carnauba or
candelilla to dissolve properly.

I use a waterbath on the cooker, my Kenwood Chef ss bowl in a large pan.
With a lid on the bowl. The turpentine goes in first then the waxes. The
carnauba does take longer than the beeswax but I stir it a little with a ss
slotted spoon and I'd say it takes about two or three minutes longer. The
amounts differ according to the season, events to be attended, orders etc.

I've just thought - I use carnauba flakes which might be the difference. I
wouldn't want to use block carnauba as used by cobblers.

Mary

Thanks for the info, Andy. I wasn't going to seal the floor first as I
think the tiles are on a limestone / sand base i.e. no DPC underneath
and I was advised not to seal the tiles as the floor underneath needs
to "breath" - have you heard of this? Does not sealing the floor first
change the preference for wax at all?

Thanks!

Simon