Renaissance Wax is a brand of microcrystalline wax

Microcrystalline wax

Microcrystalline waxes are a type of wax produced by de-oiling petrolatum, as part of the petroleum refining process. In contrast to the more familiar paraffin wax which contains mostly unbranched alkanes, microcrystalline wax contains a higher percentage of isoparaffinic hydrocarbons and...

 polish

Polishing

Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing it or using a chemical action, leaving a surface with a significant specular reflection In some materials polishing is also able to reduce diffuse reflection to...

 that is widely encountered in antique restoration

Antiques restoration

Antiques restoration refers to either the practice of "restoration"- restoring an antique or work of art to a like-new condition , or "conservation"- the practice of preserving an antique or work of art against further deterioration.-Restoration:Restoration can be as simple as light cleaning to...

 and museum curation. Although not appropriate for all materials, it is known to and used by almost every collection. It is also used as a primary finish for cabinetry and furniture. Renaissance wax is also used by reenactors of historic swordsmanship to protect armour and weapons. It is widely recognised that this substance is more protective and longer lasting than oil, especially for swords and helmets that are frequently touched by human hands.

To quote a typical commercial supplier of conservation materials, it is used, to revive and protect valuable furniture, leather, paintings, metals, marble, onyx, ivory etc. Freshens colours and imparts a soft sheen.

Wax coatings for conservation are most widely, and least controversially, applied to metals. This has several objectives: to produce a barrier that excludes moisture and oxygen from the metal surface, to ensure against further introduction of contaminating elements by handling, and to provide a protective layer over anti-corrosion undercoatings.

Waxes should not be applied to materials with deliberately loose or powdery surfaces.

Use

The wax is evenly and lightly applied over the surface, then lightly buffed with a smooth lint-free cloth to give a sheen. Where the shape of the item requires, a brush may be used instead.

Obviously the application technique and tools must be appropriate to any specific needs of the item being treated.

Application over other coatings

For retarding further red rot

Red rot (leather)

Red rot is a degradation process found in vegetable-tanned leather.Red rot is caused by prolonged storage or exposure to high relative humidity, environmental pollution, and high temperature. In particular, red rot occurs at pH values of 4.2 to 4.5. Sulfur dioxide converts to sulfuric acid which...

 in leather bookbindings, it is common to first consolidate the leather by application of Klucel G or similar, then to apply a protective coating of Renaissance Wax.

Renaissance Wax is also commonly used in the preservation of Bronze and Copper coins. The wax seals the coins and helps prevent deterioration from moisture and air exposure. It may also help prevent the onset of the chloride-related corrosion commonly called bronze disease, although it won't arrest this once started.

Conservation of metals may also use an undercoat such as Incralac, then Renaissance Wax over this.

Formulation

Renaissance Wax was originally formulated in the British Museum research laboratories in the early 1950's. It is now manufactured solely by Picreator Enterprises Ltd.

Earlier wax polishes based on beeswax

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis. It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols...

 and carnauba wax

Carnauba wax

Carnauba , also called Brazil wax and palm wax, is a wax of the leaves of the palm Copernicia prunifera, a plant native to and grown only in the northeastern Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte. It is known as "queen of waxes" and usually comes in the form of hard yellow-brown...

 either contained acids or became acidic over time. Renaissance Wax was based on more stable microcrystalline wax

Microcrystalline wax

Microcrystalline waxes are a type of wax produced by de-oiling petrolatum, as part of the petroleum refining process. In contrast to the more familiar paraffin wax which contains mostly unbranched alkanes, microcrystalline wax contains a higher percentage of isoparaffinic hydrocarbons and...

es refined from crude oil.

Renaissance Wax also contains polyethylene waxes. Some other microcrystalline waxes intended for conservation use (e.g. Cosmolloid 80H) do not contain these.

The formulation is:

100g	Cosmolloid 80H (Astor)
25g	Wax A (a polyethylene wax) (BASF BASF BASF SE is the largest chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Germany. BASF originally stood for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik . Today, the four letters are a registered trademark and the company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, and Zurich Stock... )

Melt together and pour into 300ml of a high flash point

Flash point

The flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air. Measuring a flash point requires an ignition source...

 hydrocarbon solvent, then stir constantly until cool.

Another similar formulation, giving a harder coating, can also be made:

90g	Cosmolloid 80H (Astor)
30g	Ketone Ketone In organic chemistry, a ketone is an organic compound with the structure RCR', where R and R' can be a variety of atoms and groups of atoms. It features a carbonyl group bonded to two other carbon atoms. Many ketones are known and many are of great importance in industry and in biology...  Resin N (BASF BASF BASF SE is the largest chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Germany. BASF originally stood for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik . Today, the four letters are a registered trademark and the company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, and Zurich Stock... )
200ml	High flash point Flash point The flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air. Measuring a flash point requires an ignition source...  hydrocarbon solvent

Melt together and pour into the solvent, then stir while cooling and add further quantities of white spirit

White spirit

White spirit [CAS 64475-85-0], also known as Stoddard solvent [CAS 8052-41-3] or mineral spirits, is a paraffin-derived clear, transparent liquid which is a common organic solvent used in painting and decorating. In 1924, an Atlanta dry cleaner named W. J. Stoddard worked with Lloyd E...

to produce a suitable consistency.

Controversy over its use

Wax coatings are known to be susceptible to accumulations of dust and lint. They may also obscure some fine detail.

Although Renaissance Wax is generally agreed to be a useful and stable material for conservation work, this view is not without some reservations. Owing to the polyethylene wax content, some authors have reported problems in removing it.