A hard wearing wax harvested from the leaves of the palm copernica prunifera found in Brazil. The wax is then processed by filtration into various grades. T4 for industrial and craft use and is dark brown in flakes. T1 is the food and pharmaceutical grade in light golden yellow.
Carnauba wax can produce a glossy finish and as such is used in automobile waxes, shoe polishes, dental floss, food products such as sweets, instrument polishes, and floor and furniture waxes and polishes, especially when mixed with beeswax and with turpentine. Use for paper coatings is the most common application in the United States. It was commonly used in its purest form as a coating on speedboat hulls in the early 1960s to enhance speed and aid in handling in salt water environments. It is also the main ingredient in surfboard wax, combined with coconut oil.
T4 carnauba wax with the addition of diatomaceous earth, pumice or perlite makes a fine abrasive polish for metal and wood.
Because of its hypoallergenic and emollient properties as well as its shine, carnauba wax appears as an ingredient in many cosmetics formulas where it is used to thicken lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, foundation, deodorant, various skin care preparations and sun care preparations. It is also used to make cutler’s resin.
It is the finish of choice for most briar tobacco or smoking pipes. It produces a high gloss finish when buffed on to wood. This finish dulls with time rather than flaking off(as is the case with most other finishes used).
Although too brittle to be used by itself, carnauba wax is often combined with other waxes(principally beeswax) to treat and waterproof many leather products where it provides a high-gloss finish and increases leather’s hardness and durability.
Archery to dress, waterproof wood bows, draw string and arrows. Mechanical buffing to shine.
