Water Proofing useing bee wax

[Poynor Family]

Gents I'm going to make a haversack out of cavans and want to water proof it with bee wax but never done it got any info.

[Loyalist Dave]

Well I have done a market wallet that way to serve as a container for small stuff in my blanket rolled up for a tumpline.  I baked the item in the oven on the lowest setting which was 170 degrees, for about ten minutes, then dipped the hot, dry cloth in melted beeswax using a pair of tongs.  This kept the amount of wax kept by the item to a minimum.

Now as for a haversack, well I would go with boiled linseed oil and a three week cure, as the wax will get tacky in hot weather and rub off on your clothes.  The boiled linseed oil when properly cured seems to have much less of a problem.  

LD

[Gambia]

You might want to buy some oil cloth instead as it's already waterproof then line your haversack with another fabric.

[Rasch Chronicles]

Hey there guys!

I wrote extensively on the subject: Traditional Methods of Waterproofing Fabric

Ok maybe it wasn't extensive, but it was pretty thorough!

There are plenty of tips on waterproofing with both beeswax and linseed oil, using both traditional methods and modern help like an iron or a black plastic trash bag.

Thanks again, and I hope this is helpful to you!

Best regards,
Albert “The Afghan” Rasch
Traditional Methods of Waterproofing Fabric
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