i have recently begun making lead-free, patinated, stained glass
pendants. is renaissance wax adequate protection for patina? will
the purchaser of my pieces have to apply more wax at a later time?
should i be using lacquer instead? i’m concerned about the acidity
of skin breaking down the wax. any suggestions?
Hayley, the Renaissance Wax is a little different than most waxes.
It forms a really hard surface, that seems to be impervious to
pretty much anything other than strong solvents. That can be a
problem if you intend to repatinate something later. Finger oil tends
to make a whitish surface film over time, which can be just wiped off
with a soft cloth. It can be abraded off, and the pieces where I’ve
used it, like the insides of bracelets and the outside edges, do lose
that surface over a period of several years. It looks like a gradual
surface wearing, blending at the edges, much as what it would look
like with just bare metal being polished by wear, rather than it
chipping or flaking off.
The advertising blurbs mention it as being used by museum curators
for preservation of materials, including metal, wood, leather and
parchment. I turned a local antique dealer onto it, and she fell in
love with it. She doesn’t apply it to bare wood, but to the final
finish on those items she restores. The reason she likes it is
because it forms a finish that stays clear (non-yellowing), preserves
the finish and prevents damage from oily, sweaty, sticky fingers and
accidental spills. Crud just wipes off with a soft cloth. She also
feels it does not detract from a French hand-rubbed finish, which has
a subtle glow, rather than a high gloss surface.
All I can say is that I’ve been very satisfied with the results, and
I’m pretty picky. It has kept the colors of iridescent patinas true
for several years. A small 250 ml tin will last for years, as “just a
dab will do ya.” I don’t see the necessity of applying more, but you
could probably add a small gem tin of the wax to a purchase as an
added-on value.
Usual disclaimers, just really like the product.
Hi , On the subject of Renaissance Wax and it’s use on metals and
wood.
It’s great for mixed Media earrings and Pendants; But I have found
it comes into its own when I create Art Knives with mixed handles as
the wax works beautifully on Wood, horn , Antler and metals! So for
example when I have a handle that is ebony with silver fittings and
a copper and semi precious stone inlay - the wax goes across the lot
allow a more integrated polished feel to the piece, and obviously it
stops/ slows down oxidisation of the metals like Copper.
Wayne Danewood
Dain studio
Leicester
England
Wayne@TheSilverSmithsForge.co.uk