Best way to remove wax?

D

d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
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Ok, thanks to you guys, I am now the proud owner of my new axe, the GB AFA!!! I love this thing, and it sure feels right in my hands. I can definitely carry this decently comfortably too! But, like I said, I'm used to swinging and 8 lb sledge (or maybe 7 lb) as I do road service for tires on tractor trailers and it's just beating those rims all day with that hammer and using a crow bar to dismount and mount the 250 lb tire....oh yea, and like I said I only weigh like 160 soaking wet.
But yea, I love it! Thanks so much guys, you know I will post some pics as soon as I get back from my camping trip.
One question, how do I go about removing the wax on the head? I plan on keeping her oiled, especially when not using her, so I'm not really a fan of the wax. It's sticky, and I like the way oil feels better, if that makes any sense. Unless for some reason, axes are different than knives, and you need the wax instead of oil?
Thanks guys, I can't wait to use her!

Dave
 
If it's paraffin wax, xylene is a pretty good solvent.

>> wear heavy rubber or nitrile gloves if you use xylene --latex won't offer sufficient protection
 
oh....i was thinking maybe a rag with some alcohol........Nitrile gloves, huh?
Any easier ways of simply taking off the wax so I can oil the head? thanks
dave
 
Take a propane torch and lightly warm up small sections of the metal and buff it out with a rag. Now you are not going to heat it up blazing hot, you should still be able to touch the metal, just until you see the wax melt and shine then rub it into the rag. Should take all of ten minutes and then if there is still something of it left go use your axe until it wears off.
 
d.weglarz13 said:
One question, how do I go about removing the wax on the head? I plan on keeping her oiled, especially when not using her, so I'm not really a fan of the wax. It's sticky, and I like the way oil feels better, if that makes any sense. Unless for some reason, axes are different than knives, and you need the wax instead of oil?
Click to expand...


Wax dissolves instantly in Coleman fuel (white gas).
 
Wax = nonpolar. So you need a nonpolar solvent. Rubbing alcohol should work. So will Goo Gone, Goof Off, Lacquer thinner, &etc. on a rag. It's hard to get every bit out, but note that any oil you put on is also a non-polar solvent and will cut the wax. Meaning you don't have to get all the wax off -- any left will mix in with the oil and make a nice finish as you rub in the oil.
 
I will post the pic tomorrow!!! Thanks!

But, I really put her to use today, and now she doesnt look at all as pretty as she did this morning....so, before I put up a pic, any advice on cleaning her up?
It was raining today as I was gathering firewood, and as I was using it, it started to look like a small bit of surface rust was starting. So I dried it off, and stopped chopping.... But, it could very well also be dirt marks and stuff from the wood, but either way, what should I use to clean it up and get that beautiful "out of the forge" finish nice and clean again? Thanks, I would post a pic now, but it's night time and I'm tired....
Thanks guys.

Dave
 
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re: rubbing alcohol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropyl_alcohol

"Isopropyl alcohol dissolves a wide range of non-polar compounds. It also evaporates quickly and is relatively non-toxic, compared to alternative solvents. Thus it is used widely as a solvent and as a cleaning fluid, especially for dissolving oils."

technically, alcohols are somewhere in between polar and nonpolar (the polar half is the {OH-} stuck on the end of the molecule) -- that's why it's water soluble but still works to dissolve nonpolar things. Anyways, I just mention it because it seems like a far better solution that dipping your axe handle in gasoline/kerosene (fumes, fire hazard, and don't want it on my hands).
 
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