Renaissance Wax - Manufacturer Comments
2006-07-10 by john dean
I did write the company in England that makes the Renaisance Wax about its potential use for inkjet output. Here is what he wrote me back: > Dear John, Thank you for your e-mail and interesting enquiry. I have to admit a lack of knowledge and experience in this potential use of our Renaissance wax. However,I can tell you that the late Dr. A E Werner, when Director of the British Museum Research Laboratories in the 1950's, undertook the most exacting tests of what was to emerge as the final formulation which we now manufacture. In the past 40 years we have supplied Renaissance wax to an amazing range of speciality users and more surprising applications reach us continually from around the world! A guiding principle in professional fine-art conservation is to do a small, discreet test to ensure the product's suitability. I do appreciate your reluctance but would urge you to give Renaissance wax a try on an insignificant piece of ink-jet printwork. Assuming a 'matured' (absolutely dry) ink and that the 'wetness' of the wax (i.e. its solvent content) would not cause smudging or smearing of the ink, then i see no reason why Renaissance wax should not prove effective as a long term protective. The waxes in the blend are mainly of food-grade and Dr. Werner's original test proved the excellent resistance to ageing, discolouration and cracking. I suggest you wax a piece of printwork and expose it to sunlight or UV lighting and observe if any changes occur. I am sorry i cannot be more positive or give you specific data. I would certainly be most interested to hear your conclusions. Kind regards John Lawson