How to Strip-Off Beeswax Finish from a Wooden Countertop?

Beeswax is a yellow-brownish color substance made from the honeycomb of the honeybee and other bees. It’s basically a secretion or an excreted material by bees (just like poop).

This natural wax produced by honey bees is rich in properties and is used for a variety of purposes including furniture and kitchen countertop treatment.

While applying beeswax to your wooden countertop isn’t very tricky, removing it will need some patience, time, and the right stuff to get the job done correctly.

How to Remove Old Beeswax Finish from Wood?

When you apply beeswax to the wood surface, it gets penetrated into the grains, and removing the layer is often not very easy.

Many times, people sand the surface with sandpaper but that does not work very well, it can cause problems later during the refinishing.

To successfully remove the wax finish from wood, here are a few different methods you can follow. Just go through them and pick the one that seems to be most suitable for you…

Method 1 – Use a hair dryer

• Turn on your hair dryer to medium heat and hold it over the beeswax finish, no more than 6 inches away.
• As the wax gets softened, wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
• After a few minutes wipe the surface with a bit of lemon oil on a sponge to remove any loose wax that has remained.

Remember that you should hold the hairdryer over the wood for not more than 1-2 minutes. As soon as you notice the wax getting loosened remove the hairdryer as it can damage the wood or underlying finish.

Method 2 – Use dry ice

If you have an old dry beeswax finish you want to remove from your oak or maple countertops, using a piece of dry ice can also work.

Be aware that while this method can work for smaller areas, it’s a bit hassle to try on larger worktops.

• To get started, carefully hold a piece of ice over the beeswax finish for about 8-10 minutes until the wax becomes hard and frozen.
• Then scrape away the hardened wax with a plastic scraper or a blunt knife.
• You can remove most of the wax this way but if some remain on the surface, use a fingernail polish remover on a sponge to wipe it away.

Method 3 – Rub with mineral spirits

If the wax finish is too hard or heavy, do not use a hairdryer or dry ice.

Instead, you should try solvents such as mineral spirits, naphtha, acetone, or denatured alcohol. Mineral spirits in my opinion work best among all these to dissolve the wax while protecting the finish on the wood.

• Dampen a piece of rag (or a tack cloth) with mineral spirits and rub it gently over the surface.
• Mineral spirits dissolve the beeswax fast and will work to break the wax barrier.
• Dampen and repeat the step, making sure that you do not scrub the surface too hard as it can harm the cured polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish that’s already present on the countertop.

Keep in mind that the rag you have used turns brown very quickly when the wax accumulates over it. If you use the same piece, you will be simply transferring the wax to the surface rather than cleaning it. So, replace the rag with a fresh one. Or if you are using a piece of cloth, turn the cloth around.

Method 4 – Turpentine, boiled linseed oil, and water

Using all these ingredients in a recipe, you can make a wash for quickly cleaning the beeswax from large pieces of wood surfaces very easily.

• In a jar take a gallon of hot water.
• Add 4 tablespoons of boiled linseed oil and 2 tablespoons of turpentine to it.
• Stir the mixture well, dip a non-abrasive sponge in it, and wipe the waxed polyurethane finish.
• Then use the “0000” steel wool pad to rub the beeswax layer and remove the residues that are left.

TIP: If you plan to apply a fresh coat of paint, stain, or varnish, consider sanding the surface with fine-grit sandpaper after removing the wax layer.

Method 5 – Use wax stripper chemicals

If all the above methods seem to be a failure, you are left with using wax stripper chemicals that are commercially available on the market.

Trewax, Goof Off, and EcoClean Solution are a few instant wax removers that are non-corrosive in nature and can be used. These will work pretty well for smaller as well as larger areas like hardwood floors where there is a heavy wax layer you need to strip.

Depending on the variety and brand you are using, the wax-removing process can be different. So, go through the manufacturer’s guidelines thoroughly that are available on the label of the product.  

The only downside of using these floor and countertop wax removers is they are a bit strong and usually come with an irritating odor.

Using proper protection (like a face mask and gloves) is therefore recommended when you are removing the wax finish from the woodworktop, tables, furniture, or floors.

How to wash beeswax out of your hair?

During the wood wax application process, sometimes the beeswax can get into your hair. Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to remove it.

The easiest way to wash beeswax out of your hair is to use a clarifying shampoo and conditioner. Here’s how:

1. Wet your hair with warm water and apply a generous amount of shampoo
2. Gently massage your scalp and hair with your fingertips to create a lather
3. Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water

You can repeat the process if necessary and also use a conditioner to make your hair soft and shiny.

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Does Beeswax Really Work On Wood Surface?

Many furniture manufacturers recommend polishing the wood surface with a paste wax regularly – to add a layer of natural sheen along with protection on your expensive pieces.

Not only furniture but a high-quality wood wax such as Skidmore’s liquid beeswax wood finish can also work as a great restorer for your hardwood floors, tabletops, and more.

With that said, there are a few drawbacks of beeswax polish that you need to keep in mind. These include:

• It can be difficult to apply and buff for beginners
• Beeswax doesn’t last as long as synthetic furniture finishes
• Buying a high-quality branded wax can be a bit expensive
• Beeswax can be difficult to remove once it’s applied
• It’s vulnerable to getting damaged in the heat and water
• Not suitable for unsealed surfaces (like raw wood) and even surfaces covered in linoleum, vinyl, or other types of plastic.

Why Do You Need to Strip Beeswax Before Refinishing Countertop?

One downside to using beeswax (or for that matter any other finishing product) on your wooden countertop in the kitchen is it collects dirt, grime, and soot over time. Plus, in areas like the kitchen and bathroom, the wooden worktops will also be exposed to heat and black stains due to water.

For this reason, depending on the type of wood and finish you already have on your countertop, the beeswax finish can turn yellowish or brownish with age. To restore the natural beauty of wood grains, you should periodically remove them and apply a fresh coat.

To Apply Paint, Stain, or Poly

Another reason why you may need to get rid of old beeswax coating from your wood surface is you do not like the finish or the color of the beeswax. To get something different you need to strip the beeswax layer first and then put other finishes like polyurethane over it.

Remember, applying paint, stain, or poly over wood seasoning beeswax is not recommended as the wax layer does not take the fresh finish well. Plus, it can turn the surface tacky. And the finish you get with it will be uneven.

So, if you plan to apply any clear varnish or polyurethane do not apply over the beeswax – strip the wax first.

The Bottom Line

Beeswax has been in use for decades as a sealant and finish for woodwork like kitchen countertops, flooring, and furniture.

If for any reason you need to get the beeswax removed or replaced, it can be done by simply using products such as heat, mineral spirits, turpentine, or other chemical-based wax strippers. Depending on the thickness of the sealer layer and how stubborn it is you may however need a bit of elbow grease to get the job done.

Also, keep in mind that, it’s no guarantee that you get success with these solvents/methods as many times wood wax application simply can’t be “reversed”, especially when it gets cured and penetrated deeply into the grains of wood for a long. In that case, always consider hiring a professional who can do the task without damaging your countertop.