Different grades of Paraffin Make a Difference?

[nicksorenson]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this but there are many types of paraffin. There are blends and there are different melting points for the stuff that we all generalize as 'paraffin wax'. I didn't realize this or at least pay attention enough to care until I got a batch of real high melt point paraffin (maybe 165 F) that was hard as a rock when cold an squealed like the tires on a 454 Vette with a 16 year old behind the wheel! Then I switched back to my old wax and good to go again. Weird. Anyone else notice difference between waxes and if/how it effects your wax potting results?

[Corona Blue]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this but there are many types of paraffin. There are blends and there are different melting points for the stuff that we all generalize as 'paraffin wax'. I didn't realize this or at least pay attention enough to care until I got a batch of real high melt point paraffin (maybe 165 F) that was hard as a rock when cold an squealed like the tires on a 454 Vette with a 16 year old behind the wheel! Then I switched back to my old wax and good to go again. Weird. Anyone else notice difference between waxes and if/how it effects your wax potting results?

I use the stuff they have at the supermarket. Used for canning foods. I forget the brand name. I always figured that's what everybody used, but now you've got me wondering!!

I always mix it with a little bee's wax. Probably an 80/20 percent ratio. The bee's wax seems to absorb a certain amount of "glare" off the sound. Smooths out the textures a bit. So tell us: What was the brand name of the squeal wax? I'll avoid it!!!

CB

[Rick Turner]

I'll bet you could get some interesting used wax from a waxing salon...

Bossa Nova Pickups

"Our pickups sound more Brazilian than anyone else's..."

[Steve Conner]

Ooo, yeah, I bet those have a great hairy crunch tone that really rips. They might even sound ballsy, but maybe we don't want to go there.

By the way, I'm a huge Stanley Clarke fan. Respect. Not that that has anything to do with Bossa Nova or waxing.

[FunkyKikuchiyo]

Ooo, yeah, I bet those have a great hairy crunch tone that really rips. They might even sound ballsy, but maybe we don't want to go there.

Gee thanks, now I'm going to have nightmares...

[big_teee]

Back to the orig. topic.
I thin my paraffin with Pure Liquid Paraffin used in Paraffin lamps.
You can find it seasonal at wal-mart.
I try to get only the pure unscented.
Be sure and stir it well into the melted wax.
It tends to float to the top.
I stir it with a wooden chop stix!
I add a bottle cap at a time.
It does lower the over all melting temp.
I like the wax to melt 135 or so.
T

[nicksorenson]

Well turns out that some of this is in my imagination. I found some of my old wax (the vintage wax lol) that I thought worked magic with the potting... turns out it squeals too. So... I guess paraffin is paraffin.

By the way big_teee, I think lamp oil Paraffin is similar to Kerosene. That may be a cheaper source not that it would matter in such small quantities but I think that's what it is.

Personally, I find #2 Diesel with Power Service or Stanadyne additives works the best.

lol

[Joe Gwinn]

Well turns out that some of this is in my imagination. I found some of my old wax (the vintage wax lol) that I thought worked magic with the potting... turns out it squeals too. So... I guess paraffin is paraffin.

By the way big_teee, I think lamp oil Paraffin is similar to Kerosene. That may be a cheaper source not that it would matter in such small quantities but I think that's what it is.

The problem with kerosene (lamp oil, heating oil, et al) is that they will evaporate over time, causing the wax to shrink and become brittle.

A better formula would soften the paraffin wax with heavy mineral oil (from the drug store) or a softer wax, neither of which will evaporate soon enough to matter.

[big_teee]

No to the Kerosene.
What I use is Pure Paraffin, it is not Kerosene, and has no odor like kerosene.
I read on the bottle, and what I have is 99.5% pure paraffin wax oil.
Is clear and odorless.
A Little dab will do you just mix it up well.
It softens the Canning paraffin nicely.
I like it.
If you like something else use it!
Rock Steady,
Terry

[Rick Turner]

Paraffin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

the oil and the wax are two different things...

[big_teee]

This is what I have.
It says it's pure paraffin, so That's what I'm Calling it!
Anyway it works great.
http://www.lamplight.com/bps/lamplig...e_lamp_oil.pdf
T

[Joe Gwinn]

This is what I have.
It says it's pure paraffin, so That's what I'm Calling it!
Anyway it works great.
http://www.lamplight.com/bps/lamplig...e_lamp_oil.pdf
T

If you leave a saucer of it out, will it evaporate? I bet it will, albeit slowly, given that is has a noticeable vapor pressure at room temperature. But, just try the experiment, with the saucer somewhere were there will not be a problem is someone tips it over. (And protect pets and children.)

As Rick said, "paraffin oil" and "paraffin" are not the same thing. Paraffin is the name of a group of chemically similar hydrocarbons, but there is a very wide range of such compounds.

[big_teee]

If you leave a saucer of it out, will it evaporate? I bet it will, albeit slowly, given that is has a noticeable vapor pressure at room temperature. But, just try the experiment, with the saucer somewhere were there will not be a problem is someone tips it over. (And protect pets and children.)

As Rick said, "paraffin oil" and "paraffin" are not the same thing. Paraffin is the name of a group of chemically similar hydrocarbons, but there is a very wide range of such compounds.

The MSDS sheet says its paraffin, I used it, I liked it.
If you don't want to use it don't.
It's no big deal.

Happy Holidays to All!
Terry

[John Carlsen]

I use the stuff they have at the supermarket. Used for canning foods. I forget the brand name. I always figured that's what everybody used, but now you've got me wondering!!

I always mix it with a little bee's wax. Probably an 80/20 percent ratio. The bee's wax seems to absorb a certain amount of "glare" off the sound. Smooths out the textures a bit. So tell us: What was the brand name of the squeal wax? I'll avoid it!!!

CB

Afe you thinking of Parowax? That's what i use and i get it at the grocery store. It comes in one pound white box with blue lettering. Pretty cheap, i was surprised. I've been using the same 80/20 mix with beeswax as per Lindy fralin's interview on stewmac.

[Corona Blue]

Afe you thinking of Parowax? That's what i use and i get it at the grocery store. It comes in one pound white box with blue lettering. Pretty cheap, i was surprised. I've been using the same 80/20 mix with beeswax as per Lindy fralin's interview on stewmac.

yes, that's it. I've been experiementing with the ratio a bit, but I think that's about right.

CB