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Author Topic: Propolis Wanted  (Read 4491 times)

Offline Samson 888

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Propolis Wanted
« on: May 28, 2017, 12:47:56 am »
Hey all.
Would someone in Australia kindly sell me some propolis please.
I am making traditional grounding varnish for refurbishing violins and I need half a liter of propolis
Cheers  :smile:
« Last Edit: May 28, 2017, 01:23:47 am by Samson 888 »

Offline Andersonhoney

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2017, 05:23:23 am »
More info please.
What's your location?
What are your quanties.
What's your requirements?
The more info you give us the more we can help.

Offline Samson 888

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2017, 05:40:31 am »
I live at Gold Coast Qld, but happy to pay for postage from any where in Auz.
I need half a liter of propolis as that's what the recipe asks for. I'm going to try making traditional violin ground varnish.
Not sure what else I can tell you
« Last Edit: May 29, 2017, 03:34:45 am by Samson 888 »

Offline Samson 888

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2017, 03:36:26 am »
Ok nevermind. I'll import some from over seas. Hopefully I don't import some weird bee disease.

Offline Buckscreek

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2017, 06:46:40 am »
Hey mate, calm your farm. You've asked a really odd question and given two days to get the response you wanted. Do you even know what propolis is and how a beekeeper might collect a half a litre? Import it by all means, just declare it to customs for checking, treatment or disposal.

Maybe, if you're into traditional methods why not team up with a beekeeper and go have a look at how a hive works, and collect all the propolis from it? Methinks you might need to make a few trips.......

Offline Andersonhoney

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2017, 07:13:17 am »
Spot on buck.
We know propolis is not  liquid. I don't think Samson knows that.


Samson: if it's a liquid your after what is it your mixing to form your varnish.?
500 grams is not a problem.  There are a lot of questions to be answered before you get the correct product for your task.
I would like to know what your doing to the violin. There are lots of different types of propolis,  and many ways to process it to give you a particular end product.
Anyway good luck with it, sorry we couldn't help you quicker.

Offline Samson 888

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2017, 09:19:09 am »
Heya, my farm is calm thanks : ) I just don't have time to waste and seventy people looked at my post and I didn't get any helpful replies.

Yes i am well aware it's not a liquid... but the recipe calls for half a liter and i have no idea what the specific gravity of propolis is in any given purity, so I can't tell you how many grams I need. 
I don't have time to team up with a bee keeper to harvest it. Believe me if I had the time and resources I would have my own hives and bee brewing mine own mead.
Sorry I don't have time to teach you what grounding varnish is or how it's made or it's purpose.

But have no fear I've sourced it from Europe and it will bee here soon : )

Offline Buckscreek

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2017, 05:38:48 pm »
None of us has time to waste.

Offline Captain776

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2017, 11:46:29 pm »
I will be surprised if Australian Custom Inspection (AQIS) is going to allow Propolis from another country into Australia.
I think every country would be better off if they protected the borders like Australia does and be careful what they let in so they don't import diseases and pests that are going to damage agriculture and the environment.
Bought my first NUC April 7, 2016.
Like all you when you first started, I am fascinated with beginning Beekeeping and trying to learn all I can.
I retired May 2015 and have added this to my short list of hobbies.

Offline Samson 888

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2017, 11:54:40 pm »
Yupped my thoughts as well.
Which is why i tried to source it locally first.
But my new European friend knew exactly what I wanted and why I wanted it and sold it to me with out any fuss. I guess it's because it's more common a use there.  I wonder how many croissants my $200AUD will buy him. .. probably not many ha ha

Offline Lancej

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2017, 02:50:23 am »
I would think it would have to be irradiated either before coming in or sent straight from customs to be treated.

Offline Andersonhoney

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2017, 06:18:25 am »
Yes your right Lance.
Freeze dried to process it too.
Samson how many grams did $200 dollars buy you?

Offline Samson 888

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2017, 06:29:33 am »
I have no idea how many grams. .... it's half a liter. ...
Any way, I'm out. Have fun with your bees : )

Offline Andersonhoney

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2017, 08:32:28 am »
People constantly remind me why I prefer to deal with bees rather than humans.

Offline Milo

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Re: Propolis Wanted
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2017, 12:22:00 pm »
As its all going to be melted anyway a solution if the import doesn't work out may be to experiment with making a pseudo-propolis by blending pine resin with raw beeswax 50:50 to 70:30 depending on how hard you want the final 'varnish' to be

You should be able to easily get the resin and obtaining raw beeswax would be simple if you ask nicely.

Question: when you repair the finish does it dampen the sound of the violin?
« Last Edit: May 31, 2017, 12:51:05 pm by Milo »