Microcrystalline Wax Pure White Slab 10 lbs by Enkaustikos

Facts on Microcrystalline Wax in Encaustic Use…We selected a high quality microcrystalline wax because it is a complicated carbon based wax characterized with branched cyclic chains which allow it to blend better with beeswax and oil colors than paraffin waxes which are simple straight carbon based chains. Microcrystalline wax is also more flexible than paraffin making it ideal for building up layers of textures on your painting. This ensures the quality and integrity of your paint film. Microcrystalline wax melts at a higher temperature (170 to 180 degrees F) than our paints and beeswax (143 to 150 degrees) allowing you to apply encaustic paint over the modeled surface with minimal disturbance to the bottom sculpted surface. Microcrystalline wax will yellow over time from exposure to UV so it is very important to paint over and encapsulate the impasto wax layer.Extra Precaution for Encaustic Use...Microcrystalline wax is a petroleum-based wax which will give off vapors in the molten stage. Therefore extra consideration should be taken to provide proper ventilation. We do not recommend microcrystalline wax instead we find US pharmaceutical grade beeswax the most desirable wax for encaustic use.