Carnauba acidic?

[lkotsios]

Does anybody know if carnauba wax is acidic after it is applied on paint and let to sit 3-4 weeks on paint to let all out gassing of solvents occur?

[swanicyouth]

You shouldn't wax paint that needs to outgass. As far as wax being an acid , I know in biological processes "fats" (which one could stretch and say are similar to "wax") can break down into acids (like ketoacidosis).

Wether car wax breaks down in the environment on your paint or not into an acid I have no idea. Better just use a glaze.

[lkotsios]

I mean out gassing of the actual wax. Once this occurs does the remaining wax become more acidic.

[spiralout462]

Hmm.....I'll be watching this one :)

[FUNX650]

Hi lkotsios, my ol' Pal...

Long time no hear from you!
(So why this poser, of all things?!?!...:eek:)

Without delving too far into: Lipid Chemistry...

Here's a list of the major constituents/components of Plant Leaf Waxes:

-n-Alkanes: CH3(CH2)xCH3 [21-35C, odd numbered]
-Alkyl esters: CH3(CH2)xCOO(CH2)yCH3 [34 to 62C, even numbered]
-Fatty acids: CH3(CH2)xCOOH [16 to 32C, even numbered]
-Fatty alcohols (primary): CH3(CH2)yCH2OH [22 to 32C, even numbered]
-Fatty alcohols (secondary): CH3(CH2)xCHOH (CH2)yCH3 [23 to 33C, odd numbered]
-Fatty aldehydes; CH3(CH2)yCHO [22 to 32C, even numbered]
-Ketones: CH3(CH2)xCO(CH2)yCH3 [23 to 33C, odd numbered]
-β-Diketones; CH3(CH2)xCOCH2CO(CH2)yCH3 [27 to 33C, odd numbered]
-Triterpenols Sterols: α-amyrin, β-amyrin, uvaol, lupeol, erythrodiol
-Triterpenoid Acids: Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, etc

Thinking out loud:
-With the new VOC regulations...How will the rapid evaporation of the "newer" carrier solvents be maintained,
as was once done before...with the "older" environmentally-damaging volatile organic carriers?

-It can't be overlooked that most modern "carnauba"-waxes have some sort of "polymer" too.
Now...We've talked before about how some polymers (such as those in certain Sealants that are said to be "acidic poly-acrylics")...
are said to 'etch' the paint (however so slightly) in order to "bond".
Perhaps these type of wax/sealant hybrids' top-most molecules are also "acidic"?

-ph Strips may be a useful tool in determining the acidity, if any, of a carnuba-wax in its un-cured form.
Bet it'd be very difficult to use them on carnuba-wax that is in its hardened, cured form!


Let there be no doubt:
-Much progress in the identification (and quantification) of various plant-waxes' components has been
made using high-temperature gas chromatography, often in combination with mass spectrometry.

-I no longer have access to such expensive equipment.
I'm often glad that is the case.

So...Regardless of plant-waxes' acidity (before/during/after):
Keep the Shiny Side Up...my Friend!!

:)

Bob

[lkotsios]

Hi Bob how is everything?

[FUNX650]

Hi Bob how is everything?
All's fine and dandy...
I'm starting to eat some of the trick-or-treaters' Halloween candy...

It appears that some of it is covered in some kind of hard, shiny shell:
Could carnauba-wax be the culprit?!?!...LOL

NOTE:
Hope you're doing fine as well!

:)

Bob