Wax Breakdown

[ptim]

Its not that kind of breakdown question, if any kind or brand of wax is old or breaks down, where its turns to a oily liquid, instead of being thick, should it be thrown away, or is it still usable. I tried to use it, even though it appeared to work, not sure of its effectiveness.

 

[Ron Ketcham]

A small amount of "oil" is to be expected in paste waxes as they age and are subjected to temperature changes. That "oil" is on the top of the solid content, and part of the manufacturering process, as a percentage of a hydorcarbon solvent is necessary in the production of the product.

It will "leech" out to the top of the solid content as it ages.

If the wax no longer spreads or applies easily, exhibits "clumping", then the emulisfier has broken down and throw it away.

 

[Accumulator]

..If the wax no longer spreads or applies easily, exhibits "clumping", then the emulisfier has broken down and throw it away.

Yeah, if it looks like a "maybe" and when used it still seems to "work OK" then I'd at least give it a try and see how it does. I've done fine with some products that I feared were "dead"; with the ones that really *were* broken down it was pretty obvious once I tried using them.



My tiny jar of Zymol wax for interior wood (forget the name..."Detail" perhaps? It was sold by BHMA under their house label..) from the mid-80's oughta be *LONG* dead by now, especially since its cap cracked years ago. Looks "grainy" and pretty iffy. But it still works just fine, just needs a bit of heating up to spread well. Yeah, I know...one of these days it really *will* be dead.



My '70s tin of Pro paste wax was still OK the last time I checked it too

 

[mfewtrail]

I have a few liquid waxes that have thinned out over the years from leaving them in the hot or cold too long. I'm currently durability testing one of the thinned out liquid waxes. One month in and it's beading relentlessly after three washes and literally about 20 rain showers if not more. 9.19 inches of rainfall last month. I wouldn't doubt that we're going to be around that same level at the end of this month as well. It's rained nearly every day.

 

[imported_PiPUK]

I have a few liquid waxes that have thinned out over the years from leaving them in the hot or cold too long. I'm currently durability testing one of the thinned out liquid waxes. One month in and it's beading relentlessly after three washes and literally about 20 rain showers if not more. 9.19 inches of rainfall last month. I wouldn't doubt that we're going to be around that same level at the end of this month as well. It's rained nearly every day.

Some liquid products will separate over time. Emulsion products are particularly prone to this. As a rule, the formulator will spend time trying to avoid this separation or at least maximise the time until it occurs. As you say, heat and cold will tend to accelerate the process. With such wax type products there is little concern. With cleaner type products, such instability is much less acceptable (although, sadly, it remains common in some niche automotive products).

 

[SON1C]

if its broken down and separated try melting the wax into one uniform liquid and then repouring it back into the container, this will solve 9/10, note that this can effect the performance of the wax