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Conservation products

Learn about products which help to make your framed artwork look good and preserves it over time
This page covers conservation products and materials relevant to framing that are archival standard. 

​Product Review - Renaissance micro-crystalline wax polish
​

Summary

A refined wax polish designed and formulated by the British Museum for the long term conservation and protection of museum exhibits.

This product is now a universally respected standard conservation material because of its high quality and wide scope for use.
​

Suitable for: Designed to protects items in museums. Freshens colours and imparts soft sheen. Protects surfaces eg paintings, metals, ivory, marble, metals, leather.

Highlights:
  • A high quality product researched, designed and used by the British Museum
  • Used by conservation framers
  • very easy to use and produces a soft sheen on wood

Think Again?
  • Finding this product in shops is not easy. (Try online as an alternative)
Picture
The polish is available in three sizes

Why I like and recommend this product

When I started using natural wood frames for my artwork, I wanted to find a wax polish which would protect the frame while not staining it or damaging it in any way. Plus I really did NOT want any sort of 'high gloss' sheen.

I came across Renaissance Micro-crystalline wax polish entirely by accident while browsing in Cornelissen's. However its label immediately suggested that this was the sort of product I'd been looking for. When I tried it out it did exactly what I wanted and I'm very pleased with it. I'd liken it to the very best face cream. You only need a small dab, it spreads wonderfully well, absorbs into the wood brilliantly, buffs up nicely and generally makes everything look a lot better!

What I didn't realise is that it had been created by conservation technicians in the British Museum research laboratories in response to concerns about commercial waxes. Apparently the commercial waxes - based on beeswax and carnuba wax contained acids which spoilt finishes over time (in accelerated ageing tests).

​The product was developed in the 1950s and has been made since 1968 by London based firm Picreator who produce a variety of materials for professional conservation and restoration.

This review was previously published as 
Product Review - Renaissance micro-crystalline wax polish on Making A Mark Reviews on 18 May 2009.

Technical details

Used by restoration specialists to revive and protect furniture, leather, paintings, metals etc. Freshens colours, imparts soft sheen. Very long shelf life (approx. 20 years) as long as it is
not exposed to heat.
Cornelissen - Gilding and restoration materials
Product: Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish

Technical Details: A refined micro-crystalline wax with no acid component

​
Manufacturer / Distributor: Picreator Enterprises Ltd

Sizes: 
The product is made in three sizes (all of which are available in trade quantities from the manufacturer Picreator):
  • a 3 litre can - suitable for large scale usage only by a museum or trade user, frame shop, conservators and finishers
  • 200 ml can - targeted at the general market and or domestic user
  • 65 ml can (2.28 fluid oz) - this is the trial or gift size and is the one I bought. It cost me £7.00 but you can order it online for £4.00
Suppliers: Available from
  • Picreator (the manufacturer) - whole sale quantities only. For total costs including VAT/carriage (UK) or details of distributing Agents in other countries contact Picreator: Tel:+44 (0) 20 8202 8972 Fax: +44 (0) 8202 3435 or e-mail us on info@picreator.co.uk
  • L Cornelissen & Son - mail order - stocks all sizes (see Gilding Catalogue). 200 ml (£16.90 ex carriage). Not the cheapest supplier.
  • Shepherds - online ordering - 200 ml can (£12.50 ex carriage). Also available in their shop.
  • Conservation by Design Ltd - 200 ml (£8 ex carriage)
  • Gold leaf supplies - 200 ml (£9.73 ex Vat and carriage)
  • Dennis Blaine - accredited distributor in the USA, stocks all sizes. 200 ml ($25.00 ex carriage)
​Renaissance Micro-crystalline wax polish 
Technical details:
  • 200 ml (you can get smaller but this size  is much better value and it does last 20 years!)
  • Acid neutral, water and alcohol resistant
BUY THIS WAX
Rated an average of
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars by 152 customer reviews (UK)
  • ​​4.7 out of 5 stars by 970 customer reviews (USA)
Renaissance Micro Crystalline Wax 200 ml from Amazon UK
Renaissance Wax 200ml from Amazon.com

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This website provides a compendium of resources about the art business for artists. 


It helps artists learn how to do better at being business-like, marketing and selling art and looking after their financial security.
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  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Office Practices >
      • Legal Matters
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • How to back up image files
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Best Art Business Books
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Blogging for Artists
    • Image sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Standards for Artists
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Selling Art from Home
    • Open Studios
    • Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
    • Art Fairs
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork
    • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to ship art internationally
    • Post & Parcel Services
    • UK Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • How to create an Invoice
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • Insurance for Art and Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • VAT for Artists
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
  • About
    • Would you like me to help?
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