Tag Archives: hot wax

SUPPLIES POST

silksupplies

You have many options for supplies depending on your purpose.
Things to consider are:
silk dyes or silk paints
setting silk by iron, steam, chemical
resist such as gutta, water based resist, solvent based and how to remove or leave in

I recommend you read books or save yourself a lot of trial and error by taking the Online Silk Painting Course.

Here is a free sample class on materials: CLICK HERE

How Do You Remove Wax?

This was from a discussion on Silk Painting Gallery Network.
Everyone had some really great solutions!

Jekaterina

Dear all,

I would like to ask you how do you remove wax from silk.

Before I was using JAVANA for painting on silk. To remove wax I was putting my scarve between newspapers and I was ironing it. So couple of times I had to change newspapers, and I found this way to remove wax quite easy. It was only one way I tried.

I heard some people puting silk in hot water.

Now I want to try my new DUPONT colors. And I have no idea what is the best way to remove wax.

So please shape your experience, I would be vary gratfull to you!

Many thanks,

Jekaterina

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Replies to This Discussion

Dawn CooksleyPermalink Reply by Dawn Cooksley 

oops..I typed out a response but it vanished…the gremlins again..haha

With Dupont dyes I wrap the soy wax scarves up in 2 or 3 pieces of paper the multiple paper will absorb most of the soy wax..and then package them up as you would any scarves for steaming….then I put them in the steamer(I have a commercial steamer)….when the steaming is finished I remove the soy wax treated scarves and let them rest for 2 or 3 days….then I put a little synthrapol in hot water and it magically removes all the soy wax that is left…rinse well…then I rinse again with milsoft and rinse again…..Then iron…

I have heard that some artists iron out some of the soy wax before steaming…but I have not tried that…as the silk dyes need steaming to set the color…where Javana & silk paints are set by ironing….I don’t want to take a chance on the ironing causing a change in the  way the color sets.

You do need extra paper to wrap the soy waxed silks….

Have fun….

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JekaterinaPermalink Reply by Jekaterina 
Delete

Thank you vey much!!!

I’ll try both ways.

When I was ironing fabric (before steaming), after that it’s wasn’t so soft and silky…that’s way I’m trying to find other ways to remove  wax.

Is it big difference between soya wax and normal one?

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Dawn CooksleyPermalink Reply by Dawn Cooksley 

Hi Jekaterina…

I have not tried other varieties of the wax…as most require special processes to remove the residual wax…either through dry cleaning (which in rural Canada we have few dry cleaners now and they are very picky about what they will dry clean at least in my area…they refused to dry clean my silk paint custom ties as they thought the color might transfer to other customers things…haha..) or there is another kind of product you can use but  it is called…white spirit. ….I like the soy wax because it is sooooo easy to remove and is environmentally friendly…

I think the cold wax products are easy to remove ….kinda like the soy…but I have not taken time to play with it…I keep promising I will  -it is on my to do list…smile…

have fun,

Dawn

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Kathy MCPermalink Reply by Kathy MC 

Hi Jekaterina,

Like Dawn, I also wrap my silk in several layers of newsprint, and steam it, if I have used soy wax.  Steaming takes almost all of the wax out, and then I also wash in hot water and synthrapol.  I was first ironing before steaming, but found that I did not need to do the extra step.  I have heard that other types of wax do not come out so easily, so the type of wax you are using makes a big difference.  Good luck, wax is fun to use!

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Francine Dufour JonesPermalink Reply by Francine Dufour Jones 

Check out this video from the online silk painting class.

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Fiona StolzePermalink Reply by Fiona Stolze 

Hi Jekaterina

I just wanted to briefly share what I have been doing with my soya wax work. I iron out the first load of wax before I steam. I put a layer of kitchen crepe underneath and one on top and iron. Then I roll the silk up as normal and steam. Most of the rest comes out then. After the steaming I put the silk straight away into some warm water with mild shampoo, swirl it around and rinse. And the silk is completely clean and ready to go. Nice and soft.

But I use soya wax which is much easier to remove than other types.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your wax work. 🙂

Fiona

Hot Wax

On The Silk Painting Gallery NetworkI was asked about the melting temperature for wax. Different waxes have different temperatures in which they will melt. Short rule of thumb is to use the lowest temperature to melt the wax and stay liquid. If you see smoke it is way too hot!

I use a fondue pot with a thermostat on it to regulate the temperature. You might try a small electric skillet or a crock pot if you can see the exact temperature on it.

There have been much discussion on soy wax lately so let’s start there.

When painting or applying wax if you see it turn white as you are applying it has cooled off too much. You must paint quickly. I usually hold a plate under my brush to keep the wax from falling on silk before I intend it to.

These instructions are from one supplier: Prochemical

www.prochemical.com

SOY WAX

Please read directions carefully before starting. Continue reading Hot Wax