waxing old beams

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davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Tuesday 5th May 2009
quotequote all
We've just had all the manky black paint removed from our old beams (400 years old) and I'd like to wax them. Before I blindly stumble into this huge job does anyone have any tips, recommendations of product etc??

Likewise anyone got any tips for repairing small sections of surface plaster?

Cheers

D

Simpo Two

89,150 posts

280 months

Tuesday 5th May 2009
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Well I've never worked on 400 y/o beams but I'd head for proper beeswax, not anything artificial.

Eggle

3,609 posts

251 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
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If they are rough, try liquid wax. You paint it on and it is easier than a harder wax.

-C-

518 posts

210 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
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Out of interested, how did you clear the black paint off the beams? Ours were painted by a previous owner and I would love to clear them back to the wood, it looks so much nicer.

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
quotequote all
-C- said:
Out of interested, how did you clear the black paint off the beams? Ours were painted by a previous owner and I would love to clear them back to the wood, it looks so much nicer.
Sand blasting, I'll post some pictures when the dust settles..!

They do however already look a million times better.

D

Eggle

3,609 posts

251 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
quotequote all
If you sandblasted, they will be dry. Why not danish oil them?

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
quotequote all
Eggle said:
If you sandblasted, they will be dry. Why not danish oil them?
I don't know, I'm new to this beam thing... What are the pros and cons over wax?

Cheers

D

-C-

518 posts

210 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
quotequote all
Is it something you did or had some specialists in for? we're planning on moving into our property in the next 7 days, so may have left it too late. Is it something you need to vacate for a few days? I can imagine the mess is horrific?

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Wednesday 6th May 2009
quotequote all
-C- said:
Is it something you did or had some specialists in for? we're planning on moving into our property in the next 7 days, so may have left it too late. Is it something you need to vacate for a few days? I can imagine the mess is horrific?
I did think about doing it myself, I tried klingstrip which frankly was a waste of time. I then looked into getting the sandblasting kit to do it myself but decided it was a specialist job.

I contacted a few companies and recieved a quote for £1750 which I thought was a little high then I checked locally for gritblasters and found the chap we used. £350!

There is some damage to the plaster but then it was pretty ropey in the first place so that was always going to need attention. The mess is astounding, it makes sanding floors look like a clean pastime! I spent 4 hours sweeping and hoovering it last night and I'll have to do it again tonight.

You also have to take all the cables, switches clips etc off the walls....

It is worth it though, the room is transformed

Need to talk to the plasterer next..

D

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
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Some before and after pictures..








We tried waxing and decided it made the beams look worse!

Need to prepair the plaster and paint next....

D

Eggle

3,609 posts

251 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
I would go oil. It will enhance the timber colour, but it soaks in and gives a subtle finish. All the beams in our shop ( see web site in profile ) were oiled.

FlossyThePig

4,133 posts

258 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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O/T When did the fashion for blackening the timber start? Was it an original feature that is no longer in vogue?

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
FlossyThePig said:
O/T When did the fashion for blackening the timber start? Was it an original feature that is no longer in vogue?
I'm not sure when it started, ours were done in the 80's when the house stopped being a shop. From what I can gather a lot were done to preserve them and a lot of houses have many, many layers of paint which are tricky to get off..

D

Mello

5,311 posts

249 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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I have to say they look far better stripped to wood. thumbup

Simpo Two

89,150 posts

280 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
FlossyThePig said:
O/T When did the fashion for blackening the timber start? Was it an original feature that is no longer in vogue?
It was might have been pitch or tar originally.

BTW you've got more beams than a beam shop that's running short of space and has just had an unexpected delivery of beams... how do you move about without bashing into them?

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
FlossyThePig said:
O/T When did the fashion for blackening the timber start? Was it an original feature that is no longer in vogue?
It was might have been pitch or tar originally.

BTW you've got more beams than a beam shop that's running short of space and has just had an unexpected delivery of beams... how do you move about without bashing into them?
lol

The room is 30x15, the posts are about 2/3 of the way down neatly dividing it into a seating/lounging/drinking area and a tv, gaming, music, drinking area smile
The back wall will have a piano and bookshelves over it so it will reduce the beamyness somewhatsmile

Not bad for a 1930's semi eh ;-)

D

FlossyThePig

4,133 posts

258 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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davidd said:
I don't know your plans for the brickwork by the radiator and ladder but I've got a load of old bricks from when I had my garage rebuilt. I think they are called Suffolk Red and need to use lime mortar with them.

davidd

Original Poster:

6,577 posts

299 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
So, time passes, I get my finger out and...





still a long way to go but the underfloor heating is in, floor is down, walls and ceiling have been repaired, it has all been painted. Power has been rewired.

Need to sort telly (der) cat5, a bit of lighting, make the drinks cabinet and buy chairs and a rug...

D



Edited by davidd on Wednesday 3rd June 23:28