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Adhesives, Paints, and Varnishes: Sealing

SEALING WAX Sealing wax is made of shellac, with the addition of turpentine to prevent brittleness and to make it melt evenly, and of earthy matters to increase the weight and to prevent its melting too quickly. Pale or bleached shellac is used for light-colored sealing wax, but common shellac is equally suitable for darker colors. Sealing wax is frequently adulterated with common rosin, beeswax, stearin, and similar materials. The addition of too much rosin or turpentine causes the wax to run in thin drops when melted. The addition of camphor or alcohol causes sealing wax to melt easily. The sealing wax of the Middle Ages consisted of beeswax mixed with turpentine and various coloring matters. The finest qualities of sealing wax are frequently perfumed with balsam of Peru, storax, or various essential oils and essences. - Colored Sealing Wax. Various colors as desired may be imparted to sealing wax by the addition of cobalt blue, chrome yellow, bone black, vermilion, and other pigments such as are used in paints. These are added in powdered form to the melted wax.