Museum wax is also a type of glue that is used to hold things in place so that they don’t fall and break anytime soon. If your object is plastic or is painted, beware that anything oil-based (like wax) may react unpredictably with aging plastic polymers. Paint can peel off and that gummy plasticizerseeping out of Barbie may do strange things with the wax.

Museum Gel: Museum Gel, on the other hand, is a clear and more viscous adhesive product that comes in gel-like form. It is typically used to anchor heavier objects or those with more substantial bases. The gel consistency allows it to fill in gaps and conform to irregular surfaces, providing a strong grip for the objects being displayed. Museum Gel is often preferred for securing larger artifacts or valuable items that require a more secure hold for long-term display. Even though both the museum wax and museum putty are adhesives used to hold valuables together, they work on very different surfaces.Now that you know the differences between museum putty and museum wax, let’s discuss museum putty vs. museum wax in detail for better understanding. Compatible Surfaces Jeff Stephens is an inventory specialist at iFixit, and he worked for six years as a supervisor of installations at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He has installed art everywhere from college art galleries to commercial galleries—even his own installations.

Moreover, this glue is durable too. Once you apply it, it could hold onto the object for six months or more. You can use a silicone glue if your object has a non-porous, durable surface like glass or you have little concern about removing a mounted object or the action of any solvent on the object. However, objects conservators in a museum would not be very happy about the application of a silicone glue as it isn't considered archival or reversible. Wax compounds are preferred in museum settings if an object won't have an armature holding it in place but needs some "seismic mitigation." This is typical of small or medium sized three dimensional objects on simple stands. Wax compounds will cold flow, allowing an object to be removed with a small amount of slow, steady pressure. Or on flat bottomed objects, the wax can be cut with floss or mono-filament. Impermanence, reversibility, and the archival properties of the wax are desirable in a museum setting. I was thoroughly sold on using wax compounds after applying and removing it from so many small delicate objects during galley rotations. When discussing museum putty vs. museum wax, you must remember that both these adhesives are excellent options to secure your valuables in place. For collectibles and artwork, Museum Wax beats duct tape, cyanoacrylateglue, bailing wire, and chewing gum hands down. The key?It’s “reversible,” a favorite adjective of art conservators everywhere.Museum Wax provides a firm hold for largeurnsand smallcups and is still reasonably removable.

However, because they are made from different materials and have different consistency, they work very differently. One thing about the museum putty is that it is made from a combination of latex-type materials, and therefore, it is very soft and pliable.

If your object is delicate or has a thin stem like a wine glass, beware when you remove the object from its waxed spot. The hold of the wax may be stronger than the object itself. A little wax goes a long way, so use small quantities first before coating the whole base of that purple unicorn with a 1/4 inch slab of wax. Always remove objects with a slow steady twisting motion to release the wax, or slice the wax with dental floss or monofilament fishing line. However, the same isn’t true for museum wax. As this adhesive is made from a composition of microcrystalline waxes, it is quite firm in consistency and isn’t as flexible as the museum putty. You have to cut it into smaller pieces before using it on your valuables. Curing TimeAnd Museum Wax isn’t just for ceramics. It’s good for glass, plastic, wood, bone, stone, papier-mâché, and metal… with a caveator three: If you want to secure smaller and lightweight items like figurines, antiques, collectibles, and smaller frames on the surface, this adhesive acts perfectly well. For starters, museum putty works incredibly well on surfaces made from ceramics, porcelains, and laminates.