I guess I'm lazier than you are. I just let them dry till very dry and then cream wax them. The aging takes a lot longer (last two were 18 months old) but no fussing with them. And yes, the cream wax breathes so they age well....Just for a long time!!!
P.S. the only trouble can be forgetting that they are there. I have one that I quartered and then cream waxed. This will be a nice size to open.
Have fun with it,
andreark