keeping wax finish from getting sticky

[Ridgewayforge]

(not sure if this is better here or in Alchemy and Formulas-seemed good here, but moderator please move it if it is better in the other location)

I have recently finished a big project for a friend's son's boy scout troop- a cooking spegalia type set-up with a dozen S hooks, and he wanted them finished with a carbon finish coated with beaswax. So, I ran it back in forth through a coal fire to get that nice carbon on it, and applied the beeswax. However, now after it has cooled overnight, it is still a little bit sticky.

Is there anything I can do to keep it from being too tacky?

THanks!
~RidgewayForge

[CurlyGeorge]

When I use bees wax, I get the metal hot enough to catch the wax on fire. It will carbon up and turn black, but won't be sticky. Hope that helps. :)

[Ridgewayforge]

Well, at this point I cannot get it back into the fire- I'm going to be away from the forge and smithing for a few months, unfortunately.
I just think there must be some way to do it cold. But next time I will try igniting the wax. Thanks CurlyGeorge!

[ThomasPowers]

Let them heat in the sun and rub them down real well with rags will help.

However most methods of "drying" the wax involve toxic materials that I do not suggest for cooking items.

Look into "seasoning them" like a cast iron skillet for the next ones.

[David Gaddis]

A small hand held propane torch or plumber's torch will easily apply heat by you or from a novice. Have some of you next treatment available at the time and when near black hot , hold the temp awhile to allow a preburn of the beeswax then apply newest treatment to suit. Pretty easy for most...very easy for a BoyScout...almost nothing to it at all for an EAGLE SCOUT!
Carry on

Go SCOUTS!