Substitute for wax cleaning solvent?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Wax cleaning solvent to smooth the surface of a wax carving isn’t
that expensive through jewelry suppliers online, but everyone is
charging an extra $25 bucks to ship due to it being a hazardous
product. I’m wondering if there is a commercial product I could maybe
use that I could get from a hardware store or somewhere locally that
would work in the same way as the wax cleaning solvents do from
jewelry suppliers?

Donne

2

Use a citrus based product instead, You find that it works very well.

3

Dear Don,

I’ve heard that Simple Green cleaner works, but I have no personal
experience with it.

Michael Knight

4

Donne,

Wax cleaning solvent to smooth the surface of a wax carving isn't
that expensive through jewelry suppliers online, but everyone is
charging an extra $25 bucks to ship due to it being a hazardous
product.

Local hardware or grocery store. Orange based liquid cleaning
product. If is says flammable then it has mineral spirits in it,
pick a different brand. Cheaper than jewellery type places and no
hazmat. All I ever use.

jeffD
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand

5

Don,

Try mineral spirits for your wax cleaning needs. Be sure you read
the label before use.

Frank Goss

6

Plain old Ronsonol Lighter fluid. Contains naphtha though, known to
the state of California to be hazardous, but anywhere else in the
world it’s just fine (something about crossing that state line makes
stuff dangerous). Just use common sense, like don’t use it near an
alcohol lamp (duh).

Dave Phelps

7

Hi Don,

I use an orange oil product that is sold at the supermarket for
cleaning grease spots etc. The active ingredient is D-limonene. It
cost about $6 for a small (100ml) bottle.

Cheers
Jen

8

Yes, I use golf grip solvent and it works just as well or better
than goo-gone. Not very expensive at all and comes in a decent size
can. Local Golfsmith stores carry it, so no shipping involved. Margie
Mersky

Wax cleaning solvent to smooth the surface of a wax carving isn’t
that expensive through jewelry suppliers online, but everyone is
charging an extra $25 bucks to ship due to it being a hazardous
product. I’m wondering if there is a commercial product I could maybe
use that I could get from a hardware store or somewhere locally that
would work in the same way as the wax cleaning solvents do from
jewelry suppliers?

Donne

9

Naphtha will dissolve, smooth wax and is available at the hardware
store. I use it to clean my bike chain…but it works on wax too.

10

Naphtha is extremely toxic!