Making a Liquid (Sprayable) Mixture of Glossy Wax, Oil, and Water

To mix Glossy Wax and oil with water and achieve a very liquid consistency suitable for a spray, you cannot simply mix them directly because wax and oil do not dissolve in water. You need a linking agent or emulsifier to create a stable mixture (an emulsion).

Achieving a very liquid or sprayable consistency with a significant amount of wax and oil in water is quite challenging. Many common emulsifying waxes tend to create thicker, creamy textures rather than thin liquids.

Choosing the Right Emulsifier

You will need an Oil-in-Water (O/W) emulsifier. This type of emulsifier helps disperse the oil and wax phase into the water phase. While some emulsifiers like Ceteareth-10 can function as O/W emulsifiers, achieving a truly sprayable, low-viscosity emulsion requires careful selection and often specific types of emulsifiers or co-emulsifiers designed for low-viscosity systems.

Emulsifiers like Emulsifying Wax 1000 or Wax Cream Maker are designed to create thicker cream or lotion textures, so they would not be suitable for a sprayable product.

Proportion of Oil and Wax

The proportion of Glossy Wax and any additional oil you add is critical. The higher the percentage of the oil/wax phase, the more challenging it will be to create a stable, very liquid emulsion. If you aim for a spray, you should generally keep the total percentage of Glossy Wax and added oil relatively low. The exact percentage will depend heavily on the specific emulsifier system used and may require testing.

Key Considerations for a Sprayable Formula

• Emulsifier System: Select an emulsifier or combination of emulsifiers known to produce low-viscosity O/W emulsions.
• Proportions: Keep the total oil and wax content low.
• Mixing Method: Proper mixing technique (often high shear) is crucial for creating a fine, stable emulsion.
• Stabilizers: You might need additional stabilizers suitable for low-viscosity emulsions to prevent separation over time.

In summary, you need an O/W emulsifier to mix Glossy Wax and oil with water. Achieving a sprayable consistency is difficult and requires selecting an emulsifier system that does not significantly increase viscosity, keeping the oil/wax percentage low, and potentially using additional stabilizers.