RE: Microcrystalline Wax
Failing that, you can buy it :)
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/sundries/sundries31.html
Regards,
David
H
On Nov 11 2006, BOB KISS wrote:
DEAR MARK &
MURRAY,
Murray's info seems accurate. I use it as
follows:
1) First approximate the mass of your chunk
of wax.
2) In a "double boiler" (larger pot with water
and a smaller pot
floating in it) I heat the wax to melting.
3) Then move the whole thing far away from flame as the solvent you
area about to mix in is VERY flammable. The hot water in the larger
pot
keeps the wax liquid for a while.
4) While the wax is
liquid stir in Naphtha also known as Benzyne in a
ratio of 3 or 4 wax
to 1 of Naphtha. DO NOT CONFUSE BENZYNE WITH BENZENE OR
WITH GASOLINE
AS THE EUROPEANS OFTEN CALL GASOLINE BENZINE. I used to get
the
Microcrystaline wax and Naphtha or Benzyne from Talas in NYC.
http://www.talas-nyc.com/
5) Let the whole thing cool down
and store in a jar.
6) Apply this to the surface of a
silver-gelatin print and CAREFULLY
polish until the greasy look is
gone. You will need to use a few changes of
polishing cloth. I got a
large bag of cotton scraps from a local t-shirt
manufacturer.
7) Living in the moist, mold and fungus laden tropics, I usually wipe
all of my prints with a tincture of Thymol before waxing. The prints
stay
in great shape for decades this way.
Well,
I hope this helps.
CHEERS!
BOB
_____
From: Murray Leshner
[mailto:murrayatuptowngallery@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 11,
2006 1:10 AM
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: Re:
Microcrystalline Wax
From
http://www.shell-lubricants.com/Wax/terms.html
Microcystalline Wax
Petroleum waxes derived from short
residues (vacuum distillation residues)
or by processing tank bottom
wax or sucker rod wax. Typical grades would
show a much finer crystal
structure than paraffin waxes and the ability to
form smooth mixtures
with oil or solvent. The lower melting grades (e.g. in
range 135-145
degrees F) are very flexible and adhesive, and contain a wide
range of
molecular types including a high proportion of 'non-normal'
paraffins.
Mark Booth wrote:
Microcrystalline Wax Question:
I would like to learn more
about the use and practice of
microcrystalline wax in print quality?
Is this process limited to
certain types of emulsion? How is the wax
obtained? Method of
application and uses? It seems that Bob Kiss
makes use of this
process in his work. I would like to learn more.
Thanks for the
education.
~ Mark Booth