How to Seal a Painting With Wax
Painting can be as simple as taking a brush to canvas, but once you have completed your artistic masterpiece it is important to preserve your work against aging. One easy way to preserve a painting is to seal the canvas with beeswax. Beeswax, which closely resembles tallow, is a substance that bees secrete to build their honeycombs. This method will provide an archival, protective coat that will ensure your art survives for generations.
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Things You'll Need
- Beeswax (bleached/white or natural)
- Plastic zip-top bag
- Hammer
- Small slow cooker
- Old paintbrush
- Quilting iron (without holes in bottom)
Instructions
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Place the beeswax block into the plastic zip-top bag and put it in the freezer for one hour. Remove the bag from the freezer and break the beeswax into small pieces with the hammer while it is still frozen.
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2
Place several wax pieces into the slow cooker and melt it on low heat, uncovered, until liquefied. Leave the heat on low until the project is finished or the wax will re-solidify.
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3
Dip the paintbrush into the melted wax and brush it onto the painting. Continue working in small areas until the painting is covered with wax. Cover canvas sides if desired.
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4
Preheat the quilting iron. Slowly rub the iron over the canvas to smooth the wax. If you are sealing the canvas sides, move the iron from the front of the canvas to the back over the edges. Allow the wax to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use paraffin or candle wax, as they will dry to a brittle finish. 100 percent beeswax is archival and remains flexible after drying.
Heat wax in a completely dry slow cooker and use a dry paintbrush as water will pollute the wax and could damage painting.
Bleached/white beeswax will dry translucent, while natural wax will dry to light beige.
Do not use the wax slow cooker for food preparation.
Do not touch hot beeswax as it will burn.
Keep children and pets away from wax and heating tools.
Use caution when handling the hot quilting iron and slow cooker.
The paintbrush may be reused for wax application, but should not be used for painting.
