Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21

Thread: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Baltimore, Maryland, US
    Posts
    211

    Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    What do you suggest for waxing leather bellows, and polishing finished wood?

    I've read a bunch of threads on here, but I've also seen some contradictory information, and I can't quite seem to wrap my head around the problem.

    I get that using silicone based furniture polish is bad for pretty much any kind of finish. I understand that some kinds of leather conditioners are good for leather, but bad for cloth stitching. I've read that some kinds (or all kinds?) of metal polishes damage wood fibers, causing screws to come loose.

    Is there something generically safe? Beeswax or paraffin wax?

    (Alternatively, can anyone suggest an authoritative resource, a book, a journal, or a conservation website?)

    Thanks, everyone.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    417

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Look up Rennaisance Wax

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Canmore Alberta
    Posts
    754

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    I used Lexol leather conditioner on my Deardorff bellows with good results. I've used a product called Trewax traditional on wood projects...it's a clear white paste wax

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
    Posts
    14,409

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Why not ask Richard Ritter or Ken Hough or an experienced service center?

  5. #5
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,386

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Ditto

    I’m even using it on dark slides as it works without showing any buildup.



    Quote Originally Posted by asf View Post
    Look up Rennaisance Wax
    Tin Can

  6. #6
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    SF Bay area, CA
    Posts
    18,338

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Anything containing silicone is miserable for either wood or leather, a big no-no. For one thing, it tends to break down cell structure; for another, it prohibits a more suitable product from absorbing. Beeswax gets old and sticky, and traps unwanted dirt and grit. Trewax is a modified Carnuba floor wax, so-so. If you insist on using a wax, Renaissance Wax is a pure microcrystalline paraffin which would be the best choice. But I'd need a lot more information before recommending any kind of wax. It's a bit of a complicated subject, depending on specifically how your camera was finished to begin with, and what kind of maintenance protocol you want now, or are willing to undergo. You should at least cite the specific make and model of your camera for sake of those with previous experience refurbishing similar cameras.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Canmore Alberta
    Posts
    754

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    ....i've also used straight paraffin wax rubbed on the wood-on-wood extension parts of the Deardorff. That was more worthwhile than any other maintenance.

  8. #8
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Winona, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,413

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Quote Originally Posted by asf View Post
    Look up Rennaisance Wax
    It is the best, and a tiny dab combed into the mustache keeps it in shape during our deadly MinneSnowta winters.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Canmore Alberta
    Posts
    754

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jac@stafford.net View Post
    It is the best, and a tiny dab combed into the mustache keeps it in shape during our deadly MinneSnowta winters.
    Shh.... prices will soar if the hipsters catch on

  10. #10
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,386

    Re: Bellows Wax & Wood Polish? Suggestions?

    Hey, I resemble that!

    I was a black beret, black turtleneck, black pants beatnik hipster at age 11 in 1962.

    and so on...

    TB guided us for decades until we gots Fake Books...

    now where is my fedora...

    I see Nothing!

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Y View Post
    Shh.... prices will soar if the hipsters catch on
    Tin Can

Similar Threads

  1. suggestions for ULF bellows Manufacturer
    By gzinsel in forum Cameras - ULF (Ultra Large Format) and Accessories
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 9-Jul-2018, 15:54
  2. Brass Lens: to polish or not to polish?
    By Cameron Cornell in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 15-Feb-2017, 20:18
  3. Replies: 15
    Last Post: 7-Mar-2014, 15:00
  4. Suggestions for glue to use on 5x7 wood film holders...
    By Leszek Vogt in forum LF DIY (Do It Yourself)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 23-Apr-2013, 10:04
  5. Ebony owners - do you polish or leather feed your bellows?
    By newmoon2night in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 28-Feb-2008, 07:51

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •