Does anyone use Paste wax such as Minwax Paste Finishing Wax or Johnson's Paste Wax or a combination of wax and other ingredients on hot metal? I tried the Minwax on a forged leaf as an experiment and it worked nicely. Just wondering if any of you have had any experience, good or bad, with it. BTW, this finished project will be an indoor item...
Thanks,
Scott

I've had good results with Johnson's. I try to have the work not hot enough for it to smoke much, & only apply it outdoors. Petroleum products, you know...

I also regularly use it cold on anvil & tools to reduce rust.

Oh, this definitely smoked! But I didn't use it in a closed up shop, and plenty of air circulation...

I use Johnson's on interior steel. It smokes, gets applied at just above tempering colors, slightly highter than 630ºF(the gray tempering color. It works well in our New Mexico climate.

I use Johnson's also and have been very pleased with it. (only on non food items tho) Unlike Mr. Turley, I am in the high humidity area of East TEXAS so I only use it for indoor applications. I apply at around 500F.

I have also used tinted Minwax on my rails, give a deep rich color. If its warm and sunny outside I just set it in the sun or in front of the heater in the winter, doesn't need to be very hot.

I have used Johnson's Paste Wax for forty years on finished bronzes after patina while it is still hot and on much of my iron work while still warm. Good stuff and it lasts a long time. All you need to do is give it an occasional swipe with a dust cloth on indoor items, no need to reapply. I have seen it on some bronzes still in good shape forty years later.

I prefer Howards Citrus-Shield Paste Wax for my interior sculpture. It contains carnuba and citrus oils and is TOLUENE FREE. I have used it for years and for me it seems to protect against rust better than Johnsons. I purchase it at home depot although it is also available online. It drys well ( no sticky or oily residue), and produces a medium sheen. Also smells good. They also make a liquid form but I dont like it because it does leave an oily residue on steel.
Dan

I recently started using the citrus shield product. I was doing some work on a science school and the campus was "green" and they were serious about VOC (volatile organic compound) levels, Johnson's was a no-go.

Great stuff. Burning toluene is bad bad.

My favorite is clear Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax. It is pricey, but worth every penny. It used to be available at big box stores, but now I can only find it online.....