From: "Dave Cushman" <dave.cushman@lineone.net>
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 17:08:09 -0000
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Clean wax for Organic Production?

Hi Erik

----- Original Message -----
From: Erik Osterlund <honeybee@elgon.se>

> ..>Does anyone know what foundation makers
> >use to "clean" the wax so that it's always uniform in color?

Different companies use different methods.
Some use a volatile solvent then filter cold.
Some melt and pressure filter.
The colour comes about by just getting all the particulate matter out. I do
not think they go to any trouble to match the colour batch to batch.

The PH has to be kept just acid (I use lemon juice) otherwise it goes
opaque. You cannot use ordinary untreated tapwater as this contains calcium salts
that saponify the wax.

Try filtering dirty brood wax first through a coarse cloth like hessian then
a fine one like brushed cotton or surgical lint, it comes out lemon yellow
without any bleaching.

Sun bleaching in a solar extractor will lighten it further.

Regards From:- Dave Cushman, G8MZY
Beekeeping and Bee Breeding, website
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman