Removing wax from bowl bottom

[Lou Jacobs]

I’ve made a “commemorative” bowl that the recipient has asked me, after I’ve finished it with carnauba wax, to add an inscription to the bottom. I am using an archival pen, and think I should go back to unwaxed wood. What is the best way to take the wax off the bottom without affecting the rest of the bowl? I could remount with vacuum chuck and sand, but I want to consider a solvent first.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I'm going to say careful, judicious sanding. I'm sure there is a solvent for wax, but my thought is that part of the wax-solvent solution will be drawn into the wood pores and the solvent will evaporate depositing the wax deeper.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

A great point Mark. Thank you.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Try it on a piece of scrap, but I think mineral spirits or naptha will remove enough for an archival ink pen to mark and stay put.

 

[john lucas]

Mineral.spirits will remove the wax.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Super! I’ll give that a shot. Thanks John, Mark and Doug!

 

[Richard Coers]

Mineral spirits will melt it, but it's the wiping and multiple wetting and wiping more that removes it. It's a multiple application process.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Alcohol will also remove wax

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Yes, I wound up using alcohol and then sanding. It worked great.