Collinite 885, 845 paste waxes for table saws, jointers etc. and silicone

[Jason Evans]

I'm a new member here. I've been woodworking for quite a while now and it seems whenever I'm googling something about woodworking this is one of the places I end up a lot, so I figured I'd join. So thanks for all the info.

I know there is a lot of posts about paste wax, believe me my eyes are dry from reading so much, but I wanted to hear more current thoughts on this. I am looking for an excellent paste wax that doesn't smell too bad. I've always used Johnsons paste wax in the past, but I'm really tired of the smell of it. Even with doors and windows open and fans going when I'm done waxing my tools even my clothes reek of the gasoline like smell. Maybe mine is old or whatever, I don't know. I really just want to switch to something with carnauba in it too and maybe not killing so many of the few brain cells I have left.

I found collinite paste wax. It comes highly rated as "the best wax ever!" from around the internet. I see that a few people here use it. The thing is it has a small amount of silicone in it according to them via email, they said 2% in the 845 and a small amount in the 885.

I'm wondering if anybody has direct experience using either of these waxes or a paste wax with a small amount of silicone in it and if it has affected your finishes. I've read that only the silicone sprays cause the fish eyes and that the pastes are ok, I've also read that anything with paste wax is a big no no. I've read of large shops that do the woodwork and the finishing using paste waxes with silicone and never had a problem and I've of course read a lot of stay away stories, but all the stay away stories seem to be what they've heard and I haven't read any personal horror stories of a paste wax with a small bit of silicone ruining a project. I'm really hoping to hear what people that have direct experience with this say, either affecting your finish or not affecting it at all.

[Lee Schierer]

It works great on cars, generally I avoid having any amount of silicone near my woodworking. I have personally observed fingerprints on painted surfaces caused by residual silicone remaining on someone's hands from after shave used hours earlier.

[John TenEyck]

No knowledge of that wax but anything with silicone in it would not get near my shop. Why take a chance when there are plenty of other waxes to choose from. In that regard, Lundmark's Paste Wax works really well for me and has very low odor. Made in American, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Lundmark-Wax-Paste-Clear-Lb/dp/B000BYAQC2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=KZERSPUJUXGB&dchild=1&keywords=lundmark+wax&qid=1614290936&sprefix=lundmark%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-2

John

[David Zaret]

john - you use that on your tools and surfaces, or on your woodwork? never heard of it before, thanks for the recommendation.

[Jason Evans]

It works great on cars, generally I avoid having any amount of silicone near my woodworking. I have personally observed fingerprints on painted surfaces caused by residual silicone remaining on someone's hands from after shave used hours earlier.

Thanks for the info. I do feel that after shave is a bit different though since it’s not dried like paste wax gets.

[Jason Evans]

No knowledge of that wax but anything with silicone in it would not get near my shop. Why take a chance when there are plenty of other waxes to choose from. In that regard, Lundmark's Paste Wax works really well for me and has very low odor. Made in American, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Lundmark-Wax-Paste-Clear-Lb/dp/B000BYAQC2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=KZERSPUJUXGB&dchild=1&keywords=lundmark+wax&qid=1614290936&sprefix=lundmark%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-2

John
Funny, Coincidentally lundmark is the other one I’m trying. I put it on some of my tools yesterday. It didn’t feel as slick as I had hoped. Maybe I should have done more coats.

I decided to try the collinite 885 on my bandsaw since it’s pretty far away from the last step when milling wood and the collinite seems to form a slicker coat. It has that same initial grab as the johnsons wax does then buffs smooth. The lundmark didn’t do that. The lundmark also left swirl marks, but I did let it sit overnight before buffing. I called them and they recommended letting it sit 3-5 hours before buffing, but it was too late last night to get to it. The collinite left a clear finish but I buffed it off after 5-10 mins after it started to feel grabby.

The reason I want to try the collinite is because so many people say how good it is, well for cars and boats anyway, a few for wood tools too. They say it lasts a long time, which would save me time in the shop. It’s not always convenient to open the shop to ventilate either due to rain, humidity, heat, cold etc.

Have you had any experience with silicone messing up a finish?

[Eugene Dixon]

Years ago, I was privy to a story of an auto manufacturer that had an Indy car show up for employee motivation. The car 'steward' (baby sitter) got bored and started waxing the race car with a silicone wax. About the same time the paint line started having issues. The source was traced to waxing the race car the story went.

Not sure I buy into the cause and effect but it was told by an auto manufacturer employee. YMMV!

[Jason Evans]

Interesting story, thanks. That would be pretty crazy if waxing a car near a paint line would affect the whole operation. Not sure I buy into it either.

[Robert Hayward]

Not sure I buy into the cause and effect but it was told by an auto manufacturer employee. YMMV!

Worked at a place that had a model/pattern making building and a fiberglass mold making building. About 80' apart. If the pattern shop used silicone aerosol spray the mold shop would get fisheyes in their gel coats.

[Jason Evans]

Worked at a place that had a model/pattern making building and a fiberglass mold making building. About 80' apart. If the pattern shop used silicone aerosol spray the mold shop would get fisheyes in their gel coats.
That's a pretty long distance. Did they work with garage doors open? Crazy to think about where else the spray went.

[John TenEyck]

john - you use that on your tools and surfaces, or on your woodwork? never heard of it before, thanks for the recommendation.

I use it mostly on my machines. What I like about it is you just wipe it on and go back to work; no need to buff it off. The couple of times I put it on a finished wood surface it was extremely easy to use. Wipe it on and buff it immediately if you feel like it, or wait if you prefer and then buff it. Didn't seem to matter; it buffed easily, just as Lundmark claims. And it leaves no fingerprints behind when handling a buffed surface - big kudos for that feature.

It may not last as long as some other waxes on my machines, but it lasts long enough that it doesn't annoy me when I need to apply another coat, in large part because it's so easy to use. It doesn't build up like some waxes do if you don't vigorously buff them off. And it does what I want which is reduce friction, the primary reason for using it, and protect uncoated cast iron from rust.

John

[John TenEyck]

I don't buff off Lundmark, just put it on and go back to work. I only use one coat, too. It goes on so thin I doubt multiple coats are going to add much benefit but that's just a guess. I haven't tried Collinite, didn't even know about it to be honest, but like I said before if it has silicone it's not welcome in my shop. The benefit to grief ratio doesn't justify using any product with silicone. If you've ever had fisheyes in a freshly sprayed finish you'll know why.

John

[Jason Evans]

I don't buff off Lundmark, just put it on and go back to work. I only use one coat, too. It goes on so thin I doubt multiple coats are going to add much benefit but that's just a guess. I haven't tried Collinite, didn't even know about it to be honest, but like I said before if it has silicone it's not welcome in my shop. The benefit to grief ratio doesn't justify using any product with silicone. If you've ever had fisheyes in a freshly sprayed finish you'll know why.

John

Thanks a lot John. That sounds pretty convenient to just apply and get back to work without waiting, didn't know it could be used like that.

[Weogo Reed]

Hi Jason,

I use Renaissance Wax on the jointer tables, etc.:
https://www.theruststore.com/Renaissance-Wax-P235C0.aspx
Most hand tools get Camellia Oil.

I've also used Waxilit:
https://tooling.weinigusa.com/product-p/xxx100082.htm

The Lundmark wax looks good, and the price too.

Thanks and good health, Weogo

[Jason Evans]

Hi Weogo,

I've been using the camellia oil for a while on hand tools, too. Never tried the renaissance wax, that's is some pricey wax. Is it better than other paste waxes you've used, if so, why?

[Richard Coers]

One drop of silicone in a shop can make the finishing process a nightmare. Silicone will spread around like Covid. Sat next to some finishers at a woodworking conference once. Their company had a list of deodorant they could use and absolutely forbid hand lotions and face makeup for the gals.

[Jason Evans]

Woah, deodorant!! I can understand the lotion and make up, but deodorant! I can't imagine it floats through the air, I guess people do get itchy though. Tough job. Thanks for the info, I'm starting to be convinced

[Tom Bender]

Auto manufacturing paint shops are really careful about silicone. Every product brought on site must be certified silicone free, even during construction and maintenance. Even the elevator repairman can't bring his service truck on site. One problem is that it transfers by touch. Another is the huge cost to fix vehicles that may have been painted for hours at a rate of 60 per hour. That kind of disruption can idle hundreds of workers till it's corrected.

[Jason Evans]

Wow, that is insane.

You guys have some convincing arguments against silicone.

I think I’ll be cleaning off the bit I tried on my bandsaw today. I guess wd40 followed by denatured alcohol should get most of it.

[John TenEyck]

Wow, that is insane.

You guys have some convincing arguments against silicone.

I think I’ll be cleaning off the bit I tried on my bandsaw today. I guess wd40 followed by denatured alcohol should get most of it.

Not sure that will work. But I am sure Naptha and mineral spirits will remove silicone. Multiple wipes with a fresh cloth each time.

John

[Jason Evans]

Thanks a lot John. I have some Coleman camp fuel, which I believe is naphtha, and some mineral spirits of course.

[Warren Lake]

its a concern,

[Robert Hayward]

That's a pretty long distance. Did they work with garage doors open? Crazy to think about where else the spray went.

Yes, the overhead doors were open on both buildings. South Florida gets pretty hot, even in the winter.

[Robert Hayward]

Not sure that will work. But I am sure Naptha and mineral spirits will remove silicone. Multiple wipes with a fresh cloth each time.

John

Auto body shops buy a product labeled silicone remover.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Alfie Shine is pretty cool stuff, might work for you. The guy who makes it posts regularly on one of the FB forums and named it after his dog. Available on amazon.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91YTihQoo9L._AC_SL1500_.jpg

[Weogo Reed]

Hi Josh,

The Renaissance wax seems to last longer on jointer tables, etc. than Johnson's paste wax, so over time maybe not so much more expensive.
It would be great to see a test of various waxes.

Thanks and good health, Weogo



Hi Weogo,

I've been using the camellia oil for a while on hand tools, too. Never tried the renaissance wax, that's is some pricey wax. Is it better than other paste waxes you've used, if so, why?

[Tom Bender]

I think WD40 contains silicone.

[Jason Evans]

The regular version? I know they have lots of variants.

I never hear many woodworkers bashing wd40, but I hear lots of bad stuff about silicone. I don’t use it much but I did just use it to clean my old cast iron tops.

[Charlie Jones]

Years ago I worked in a shop painting trucks. The mechanics sometimes used silicone spray on the windshield gaskets. We cleaned around the windows and used a product in the paint called Fisheye Eliminator. It did the job.

[David Zaret]

hey john - i just got some of this, and it's great! as you said, no need to wipe it off, and it's slick as can be. thanks!




No knowledge of that wax but anything with silicone in it would not get near my shop. Why take a chance when there are plenty of other waxes to choose from. In that regard, Lundmark's Paste Wax works really well for me and has very low odor. Made in American, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Lundmark-Wax-Paste-Clear-Lb/dp/B000BYAQC2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=KZERSPUJUXGB&dchild=1&keywords=lundmark+wax&qid=1614290936&sprefix=lundmark%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-2

John

[John TenEyck]

hey john - i just got some of this, and it's great! as you said, no need to wipe it off, and it's slick as can be. thanks!

Glad it's working well for you David.

John

[Warren Lake]

there is no silicone in WD -40.