Wax on Spalted Sycamore

robotech

robotech

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I just received a set of scales that have a thin layer of wax on them.
Sanding the wax off for stabilizing seems a bit much.
I DIY stabilizing just using hardener, glass jars, and hot water. I just did two sets and they turned out great. as soon as they dry, I'll post pics.
Now I want to do the Sycamore and a set of Cherry. Since I am using hot water to open the wood pores, and to create the final vacuum in the jar, could I just let that melt the wax off?
Pic of one scale
t3.jpg

Thanx guys.
 
One thought
What would keep the wax from entering into the opened wood pores ahead of your "stabilizing" agent. Would that inhibit penetration of your agent?
 
I'm fairly confident the wax needs to be taken off before it comes in contact with the hardener.

You perked my curiosity... Wood + Hardener in Mason Jar and boiled in canner? Is that your process? How long do you leave it?
 
I think you run the risk of the hardener and wax reacting in unpleasant ways if you don't remove the wax first. I'd try to scrape as much of it off as possible before stabilizing, then quickly sand down to "fresh" clean wood. HOT water will remove a lot of it, I guess, but I'd still sand it.
 
Thanx guys, kinda what I thought. Sanding it down.

JAWILDER
I am using the NorthCoast Knife method. You can see it here.
I have had good luck except for one thing I did wrong.
When I poured hot water in the 2nd time (same batch), I had acidentally tightened tyhe jar lid and the boiling action spewed most of my hardener out into the water pot while I was inside the house. Had to refill the jar and reheat. My fault and I know better, now. I just did 3 sets in one batch and they look great. All three were flaming box elder and one set was a crotch piece and really needed stabilizing. When they get dry, I'll post a pic.
They sucked in a half pint of hardener!
 
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