August 2000's
Glue of the Month

Microcrystalline Wax

Wax has been used as an adhesive since the beginning of time, so why change a good thing? Microcrystalline Wax is a wax made from the refinement of crude oil. It is stickier and more pliable than regular paraffin or beeswax because its molecular structure is more branched and circular, making it an excellent adhesive. Microcrystalline Wax has many uses; in book binding for laminating papers and foils, for sculpting and foundry work and for conservatory purposes. For this reason you can find this product packaged and marketed in a variety of forms and at many different retail outlets, from art supply stores to museum supply stores. The most useful for adhesive purposes is the large brick format sold in art supply stores in the sculpture department. It usually retails for about C$20 for a 10 pound brick, which is a lot of wax!

Microcrystalline wax is a strong but not permanent hold, it is water proof, (remember those Roman boat builders) it is a great gap filler, adheres instantly and is not toxic unless it is burned. It works on any material, porous or non porous. It is acid free and will not wrinkle fine papers. It is great for sticking irregular organic objects such as rocks and seashells. It softens in heat which makes it easy to work with these hot summer days (but remember not to leave your work out in direct sunlight, or it may just melt away completely). Microcrystalline Wax is also good to use as a clamp to hold two difficult to clamp objects together, while you wait for a more permanent adhesive to cure, such as silicone or epoxy. This adhesive wax has many uses, here are few sites we have found about the varied uses of microcrystalline Wax:

Past Glues of the Month

August 2003 - Mr. Sticky's Underwater Glue
April 2003 - P.C. Woody
January 2003 - Weld-on Adhesives and Cements
December 2002 - Krazy Glue with Skin Guard
November 2002 - Permatex Bullseye Windshield Repair
September 2002 - UHU "Twist & Glue"
August 2002 - Aleene's Platinum Bond Patio and Garden Adhesive
July 2002 - Gloozit Marine and RV Gloo
May 2002 - Jones Tones Plexi Clear Glue
April 2002 - Silicone-Be-Gone
March 2002 - Eggs
February 2002 - Rabbit Skin Glue by Gamblin Artist Colors
January 2002 - LePage's new Easy Flow System
December 2001 - Scotch Tape
November 2001 - Daptex Foam Sealant
October 2001 - Gelatin and Glycerin Glue
September 2001 - Crayola Project Glue
August 2001 - Waterweld
July 2001 - Yes Glue
June 2001 - Little Red Cap
May 2001 - Weldbond reprise
April 2001 - Stoneco Padding Glue
March 2001 - PascoFix
February 2001 - Quick Grab
January 2001 - Coccoina Colla Bianca
December 2000 - Royal Icing
November 2000 - Good Glue
October 2000 - Pros-Aide
September 2000 - Elmer's Galactic Glue
August 2000 - Microcrystalline Wax
July 2000 - LePage's Universal Adhesive
June 2000 - Tear Mender Fabric Leather Cement
May 2000 - Shoe Goo
April 2000 - Magic Goo Gone
March 2000 - Sure Hold Plastic Surgery
February 2000 - Gorilla Glue
January 2000 - Casein Glue (milk)
December 1999 - Aleene's Original "Tacky Glue"
November 1999 - Weldbond Universal Space Age Adhesive
October 1999 - Kryolan Spirit Gum
September 1999 - Elmer's Washable School Glue
August 1999 - Seal-All
July 1999 - Loctite 349 Impruv
June 1999 - Sikaflex
May 1999 - Yamato Sticking Paste
April 1999 - No More Nails
April Fools 1999 - Juicy Fruit Gum
March 1999 - Chair Doctor Glue by Veritas

If you've discovered a glue that you've grown attached to, please let us know. Maybe we can honor your glue in a future month.

August 2000'sGlue of the Month

Microcrystalline Wax

August 2000's
Glue of the Month