Conservar Wax | Non-Yellowing Paste Wax For Matte Varnishes

Conservar Wax is a soft paste of microcrystalline wax and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin in mineral spirits. Its non-yellowing mixture of resin and wax protects surfaces by sealing out dirt, air, and moisture, improving the luminosity and clarity of colors. Mix Conservar Wax with artist’s oil paints to modify working properties. Use it as a matte final surface for oil paintings. Use it as a matting agent for varnishes and painting mediums.

Conservar Wax can also be used as a final coat on paintings, metal sculptures, wood carvings, and antiques. Since it is made with microcrystalline wax, it is also the best final treatment for fine wooden furniture and woodwork, both antique and modern.

Conservar Wax can also reduce the gloss of varnish. Mix directly with the liquid varnish before applying it to the painting. No heating is required. It can be buffed to a gloss finish and thinned with turpentine or mineral spirits.

How to Apply Conservar Wax

1. Dip the center of a square of soft, lint-free cloth in the can of Conservar Wax. Fold the cloth into a pad so the wax is at the bottom and clean folds are on top for gripping.

2. Apply Conservar Wax by rubbing in circular motions, one small region at a time, moving across the surface until the wax is applied over the entire surface.

3. After the surface becomes dull, remove the surplus wax. Use another soft, clean cloth and turn it as often as possible.

4. Continue waxing and wiping until the whole furniture piece is done. If you see a streak, continue wiping to remove surplus wax.

Helpful Hints

Conservar Wax is easy to apply and maintain. Here are a few helpful hints:

CLEAN: Before applying Conservar Wax, brush the surface with a soft-haired brush or a soft, lint-free cloth. If dirt and grime are not easily removed from the surface, please consult Best Practices for Cleaning Paintings.

APPLY THE RIGHT AMOUNT: The biggest mistake when applying paste wax is applying too much. Wax is very soft compared to resin films, so it is easily rubbed and will produce a hazy surface when built up in thicker layers.

USE THE RIGHT CLOTH: Apply Conservar Wax using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth by first dipping the cloth into the wax can.

USE THE RIGHT METHOD: Rub the wax in a circular motion over the surface. Rub firmly without using excess pressure to spread the wax thinly. Apply only enough to cover the surface in a thin layer.

Buffing Conservar Wax

After applying the wax, the next step is to buff the Conservar Wax. When is the right time to do that? Wait for the solvent in Conservar Wax to evaporate. Conservar Wax contains fast evaporating solvents, so it usually can be buffed in about 15 to 30 minutes after application, depending on your local environment, such as the temperature, relative humidity, etc., all of which affect the drying time and how the wax buffs out. If all the conditions are right and the proper amount of wax is applied, you will know the wax is ready to buff when it looks dry or hazy.

When Conservar Wax is ready, buff the surface with another clean cloth. Buffing lightly will produce a satin sheen, while more vigorous buffing can produce a higher sheen or even a gloss. If you try to buff the wax too soon before the solvent fully evaporates, you will likely strip the wax from the surface. This is the reason a poorly waxed surface appears to have shiny and dull areas. If the solvent in the paste wax has not fully evaporated, the buffing cloth will pick up the solvent and remove hardened wax as you attempt to buff the surface. It is harder to buff out if the paste wax is left on too long without polishing. In any case, you should not be alarmed; this can easily be corrected by applying another coat of Conservar Wax.

How Often Should You Apply Conservar Wax?

That depends greatly on how often the surface is dusted and cleaned. Every time a waxed surface is “wiped,” minute amounts of wax are removed. Eventually, there is not enough wax on the surface to provide an even shine. This is when a new coat of wax should be applied.

Maintaining a waxed surface is easy. It must only be dusted with a soft-haired brush or soft, lint-free cloth. A slightly moistened cloth may help remove the dirt if the waxed surface becomes dirty. If that does not work, apply a new coat of Conservar Wax.