Here it is: a forumula for surf wax. Please try subsituting non-petro ingredients to develop a better product. May want to save this formula in case it is removed from Swaylocks. Rob Olliges ------------------------------- Basic Surf Wax Mixture: (Melt together at about 100F) 60-70% Paraffin Wax, 15-20% Microcrystalline Wax, 5-10% Petroleum Jelly, 5-10% Adhesive (Vistenex) Small amounts of Scent and dye. The amount of petroleum jelly and wax needs to be adjusted for the water temperature in your region. If the Temp is warm in your region use more wax and less petroleum. If the water is cold use more petroleum and less wax. The Microcrystalline wax and Vistenex give it the “stickiness”. Watch out it can get real messy.
Thanks Rob… I can’t find Vistenex anywhere, what’s the generic type of adhesive?
Sorry about keeping the original misspelling/mistake. I think the formula is referring to Vybar: Vybar Vybar forces the paraffin to form smaller crystals and provides an interlacing network to the paraffin’s crystalline matrix. There are three positive results: 1) the oil holding capacity of the paraffin is increased, 2) the oil and dye molecules are anchored in place, 3) the denser crystalline structure is much stronger and resistant to flaws which appear as star bursts or mottling. Another beneficial effect is that the Vybar will also bind up any unwanted water molecules which may be causing problems. 1% Vybar is a starting point for experimentation assuming you are using scent in your paraffin. This will add whiteness to your wax which may or may not be desirable. It will add a creamy surface and consistency to the finished candle. Vybar will not raise the melt point of the wax so they should burn about the same as before. Too much vybar can inhibit scent and cause a wave like ripple effect on the surfaces of your candle. So if you are having problems getting a strongly scented candle, try cutting back on the vybar. There are two different vybars. 103 for moulded candles. 260 for container candles. Baker Petrolite Company makes vybar. Sorry about that I had the same problem tracking it down, Rob Olliges
gwood – Wednesday, 16 October 2002, at 7:45 a.m. … Anyway here’s what I have so far: Start with Parafin 70% Calcium carbonate (I guess that’s chalk?) 30% then petroleum jelly, more for cold water, less for warm water. The ratio wasn’t stated. Additionally, micro-crystalline(?) to reduce flaking, clay, baby powder and bees wax also came up in the discussion. Of course wax scents and coloring for those of us subscribed to Martha Stewarts Living. Cook on very LOW and pour into a cup cake tray…
This wax talk reminds me of the 80’s surf flick “MAD WAX” any of you guys remember it ? that was my favorite flick for a while. (kind of like an 80’s aussie “loose change” ?) – premise – Ross Clark Jones was a “Mad surf scientist” making his own backyard wax. He found a “magic” wax recipe in a thrift store or somewhere. when he cooked up the wax and rubbed in on his board - he would magically appear at whatever spot he was dreaming of. then somebody took his wax or something ? oh well, i forget the details. pretty classic. i wish i still had my old tape of it. RCJ, Tom carrol, Luke Egan ?, and many other Aussie rippers i’m blanking out on. ahh, the good old days.
Where did you learn or come about this information? Your profile says you reside in Massachusetts, that trips me out because 99% of surf wax is made in California by a select few. I tried it and my results sucked. How do you know this information is credible at all?
What difference does it make what state he’s from? I’ve seen that recipe before and it works. Believe it or not there’s a whole other world besides California…and they surf and make wax and everything. Mrs. Palmers??
Be careful of what you ask. The Guild of Waxmen was originally patterned after the Sicilian Mafia. It is shrouded by layers of subservient men, sworn to oaths of secrecy and highly skilled in subterfuge. The best wax formulas are proprietary, bought and sold in blood, known only to a select few, on a strict need-to-know basis. It has long been rumored that the answer to many mysterious disappearances of former Waxmen may be found within the nightmarish sci-fi plot of the famous 1973 sci-fi film, “Soylent Green”. This much is known for certain: once a member, there`s only one way out of the surf wax business… http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue55/classic.html
Where can you get MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX ? Is it only available from hardcore chemical companies, or does it go by another name like Nappy Rash Reliever! I cant imagine surfers of old (in the sixties) ringing up Mr Exon Valdeez for such a specific ingredient.
Among other applications, microcrystalline wax has long been a common element of lost wax bronze casting. I`ve maintained a small stash of that useful stuff for over 30 years. http://www.artstuf.com/waxes.html
You can still get a copy of that from Quiksilver’s website - I bought a copy a few months back when I saw it there, for nostalgia reasons. http://www.quikemart.quiksilver.com