Fat wax is an excellent sealant that can be used to protect metal, leather and wood from things like corrosion, dryness or rotting caused by moisture. While there are many commercial products available that can accomplish the same thing, there is a good chance that you won’t have any on-hand during a prolonged crisis. Let’s take a look at a simple recipe that you can put together in just a few minutes with a couple of items that are easy to obtain in order to have a supply of fat wax on hand whenever you need it.
Getting Started
All you need is a couple of handfuls of tallow, some wax, some metal containers and a fire. In terms of tallow, it can come from any animal, and you don’t need to separate the fat from the meat beforehand. Put the tallow into a container and place it over your fire. Give it an occasional stir as it melts down, and pull out any pieces of flesh, bone or fur as it separates from the fat. Once the fat has almost melted, put an equal amount of wax into another container, and melt that down as well.
Once the tallow has melted, pour the liquid into another container and let it rest until any remaining solids start to sink to the bottom. There may be some solids that float to the top as well, and you can remove them by skimming the surface with a spoon. You want to avoid letting solids get into the finished product, and the easiest way to prevent this is to pour the liquid into another container, but stop before the solids fall out.
Keep pouring the liquid from one container to another until all the solids are gone. You can also use a strainer if you have one available. Once you have nothing but pure, melted tallow, you can combine it with the melted wax and give the mixture a good stir. Next, pour the mixture into suitable storage containers and let it cool until it solidifies. Depending on how hot it is outside, the process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours.
Keep in mind that the wax will probably not become completely solid unless you’re storing it in very cool temperatures, and this is perfectly normal. Store the wax in a cool, dark place, and you can expect it to hold up for months without going rancid. However, the fat wax may give off an offensive odor as it ages, so consider using containers with lids or putting the bars in zipper baggies.
Applying the Wax
The first step is to clean and dry the items that you want to seal to prevent debris and moisture from getting trapped beneath the wax. Scoop up a generous amount of wax with a piece of fabric and slowly buff it over the surface of the items that you’re sealing just like you would apply shoe polish. Make sure that you are applying an even coat until you end up with a thin and slightly-moist film that covers the surface. Wipe off any excess material before letting the items dry for a few minutes, and you’re good to go.
The durability of the coating will vary from item to item, and you can reapply the wax as often as necessary in order to keep the surfaces sealed. Try this out for yourself, and see how this simple technique can be invaluable when it comes to protecting your tools and gear from exposure to the elements.
