RIP Johnsons Paste Wax

21incher · August 15, 2022, 08:52:06 PM

I have been using Johnson's paste wax on all my cast iron tops and furniture builds for years. I recommend it for tool tops on my YouTube channel also. Well yesterday I got a comment telling me it is no longer made. Was discontinued the end of 2021 and my heart is broken. I am now searching for a similar product safe for woodworking machine tops and good for furniture protection without any silicone or synthetics. I hate change.

Old Greenhorn · August 15, 2022, 09:14:49 PM

Time to hit the stores and get a couple of cans and put them in ziplock bags. One of those canes last me a long time, usually, but I am halfway through the one I have now and start waxing tomorrow.

Larry · August 15, 2022, 10:15:43 PM

I went through a couple cans of Johnson's a year because I wipe the rails on the sawmill with it using a Scotchbrite pad after sawing. Didn't buff it off. I also used it on all the shop machines. When it was discontinued I found a can on ebay but refuse to pay what the scalpers are asking now.

Minwax Paste Finishing Wax available at Lowes. Works nearly as good.....just checked and looks like the price has doubled in the last couple of months.

I also use Briwax on some of my furniture pieces. It actually is better than Johnson's but was always a lot more money. I'm not even gonna check on current price. :-[

21incher · August 15, 2022, 10:27:06 PM

I have been searching and like you Larry have found some cans available at ridiculous prices that I refuse to pay. I tried that mini wax once and wasn't really happy with it. I will start looking for a replacement once my mourning is over 😟.

Dan_Shade · August 16, 2022, 02:31:56 AM

I feel the same way..

I was looking to see if I could make a paste wax with wax and solvent, but I have not had time to experiment.

Dan

Ianab · August 16, 2022, 05:22:15 AM

Quote from: Dan_Shade on August 16, 2022, 02:31:56 AMwas looking to see if I could make a paste wax with wax and solvent, but I have not had time to experiment

For food cutting boards etc we use a mix of wax and food grade mineral oil. Heat the oil and melt the wax into it, and when it cools you get a wax paste. Beeswax or Paraffin wax works, but beeswax smells better. 4 parts mineral oil to 1 part wax will be a good start. Also heat in a double boiler for safety. It's all food grade stuff, so you can do it with your regular kitchen gear.

It should achieve the same thing applying it to metal machinery, it's basically a wax paste. (and no silicon involved)

Dan_Shade · August 16, 2022, 06:02:32 AM

I've done that before, not sure if mineral oil is the way to go for waxing machine surfaces.

I was thinking turpentine or mineral spirits

YellowHammer · August 16, 2022, 07:37:50 AM

This is news to me. I used to get it for $6 and I just checked on Amazon, now it's at $36 and only 1 left. I've been using this for years and it's been available for decades. If course its being discontinued, even paste wax isn't safe.

Does anybody know why? I am also interested in alternatives.

tule peak timber · August 16, 2022, 08:41:15 AM

Naphtha component. We can still buy bricks of beeswax. Sometimes we heat and mix with food grade mineral oil for cutting boards. You might try hardwax oil or even tung oil on metal surfaces. LPS 3 was my favorite on my boats. Boesheild T 9 also very good. I also sell an aqueous solution of Carnauba for wood maintenance over hardwax oils but I wouldn't use it on metal.

YellowHammer · August 16, 2022, 09:57:33 AM

I saw your post and read that Naptha was banned because it is a petrochemical so is flammable and when burned emits Greenhouse Gasses. Cotton is flammable also, I hope T shirts don't get banned.

Saving the planet from Johnson Paste Wax.

tule peak timber · August 16, 2022, 10:01:09 AM

Quote from: Dan_Shade on August 16, 2022, 02:31:56 AM
I feel the same way..

I was looking to see if I could make a paste wax with wax and solvent, but I have not had time to experiment.

Dan

Opportunity knocks............

WDH · August 16, 2022, 10:48:32 AM

The Real Milk Paint Company carries a line of finishing waxes but I have not used any yet so I have no experience with them

https://www.realmilkpaint.com/category/waxes/

I do really like their 100% pure tung oil as I have used a lot of it.

21incher · August 16, 2022, 11:01:57 AM

Quote from: YellowHammer on August 16, 2022, 09:57:33 AM
Cotton is flammable also, I hope T shirts don't get banned.

If they are it will probably only be ones with certain graphics on them.

Lately I have been using Walrus oil and wax for cutting boards and bowls. Probably could make it myself but it works great. If you follow the directions and raise the grain first it is a great finish plus they use some of the profit to plant trees that help heal the effects of climate change.

I always thought Naphtha was an area in California that produced cheap wine ;D.

SwampDonkey · August 16, 2022, 04:38:04 PM

There's also Orange Wax by 'Town Talk Polish Co.' 5 oz can for CDN $19. Don't bother looking on Amazon, or it will be 5 x the money. :D

https://www.towntalkcanada.com/wooden-work-surface-wax

doc henderson · August 16, 2022, 08:53:06 PM

YH we all hope you do not have to stop wearing T=shirts in your videos.

YellowHammer · August 16, 2022, 10:44:27 PM

DanG right, then I'll have to another "Robert's Rant!" Videos.

Now I may have to do one on the demise of Johnson Paste Wax.

Dan_Shade · August 17, 2022, 05:52:02 AM

It looks like Johnsons paste wax is a blend of carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax, parrafin wax, and naphtha.

https://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/us/en/brands/sc-johnson/sc-johnson-paste-wax

aigheadish · August 17, 2022, 09:39:08 AM

I was just throwing a cr@pload of Johnson's on my router table, using a can my dad had for years and years and years. As I used it I thought- "Hey, I should probably get another can of this". Sounds like that'll be a problem now. That's a bummer. I'm pretty new to using it but it seems to work great on all kinds of stuff.

boonesyard · August 17, 2022, 09:52:14 AM

News to me as well, bummer. I've got one full can on the shelf and my open can is about 2/3s gone, I will be following this thread. I'm soooo happy we'll be saving the planet by not being able to purchase any more of this nastiness :

:

rastis · August 17, 2022, 12:32:03 PM

I've been using Butcher's Bowling alley wax with great results...

SwampDonkey · August 17, 2022, 02:43:48 PM

On shop machines and tools I've always used GlideCote. Looks like it's still available. Boeshield T-9 for tools in storage where it might be damp. Made in USA.

Bruno of NH · August 17, 2022, 04:25:38 PM

I have used orange wax and like it .
I will have to look what I have for can wax.

doc henderson · August 17, 2022, 06:01:58 PM

ACE hardware still shows it for 8.99$ for a 1 pound can. called and it is not on the shelf, but not red labelled so they think they can order it. we will see, and I will let you know. the employee is supposed to let me know. I ordered a case. not going to hold my breath, which to me never makes any sense anyway.

thecfarm · August 17, 2022, 09:33:58 PM

I checked the suppler at work.
Item has been discontinued.
None of the other 9 stores have ever sold it.

SwampDonkey · August 18, 2022, 03:51:30 AM

I don't ever remember seeing it in Canada. The only paste wax for wood I have seen up here is Minwax, which is poisonous. Lee Valley Tools has never sold it.

When I check Amazon.ca and other Canadian sites it's says in stock. 1 pound jars. CDN$51-69, Amazon.ca is the priciest.