None of My Beeswax

Beeswaxed wooded bowl and table top

As a reward today for some sustained work on the translation, I gave myself permission to attack the antique table I bought nearly a year ago with the beeswax polish I bought nearly a year ago.  Funny, how things got away from me, hmm?

I have never used beeswax before, but everyone told me that it was really good for wood.  This antique table was constantly looking dry, probably because it was dry.  I have read articles that tell me there's not a way to really moisturize the wood; it needs to be refinished.   Others say slather on mayonnaise---Hellmans, perhaps?

This table top shines now, for the first time

So, out came the beeswax.  I guess I've read too many English manor-house novels, but it seems that the in the finest houses, the furniture is always being waxed or polished.  So, I thought, "Why not?"

Well, I soon learned why not---this is HARD work!  The wax doesn't polish easily, or at least it didn't in this case. (Maybe because the table was so dry?)  I thought my arms were going to fall off!  And nothing I tried could get the wax out of the crevices of the scalloped edges, and worse, out of all the nicks, cracks, and worm holes that come with antique wood.  Finally I remembered the seafood picks--worked like a charm. 

I understand now, the wonder and joy with which we greeted Pledge in the late 1950's!!!  It took an hour, not counting the time I had to let the wax dry, to get it buffed out to a shine.  The shelf with the French equivalent of Pledge took 15 seconds....

Sorry, did only the top surface, not the legs or bottom shelf  They got the Pledge

I do like look of the finish of the piece I waxed, but am not sure that it's worth it for the rest of the pieces I had in mind when I bought the can of wax.....I am not sure my arms are equal to the task.  And so, for now, no more beeswax and back to the translation.