Photo by Jonathan Borba

We’ve heard many talk about the frustration of seeing your wax polish dry up. In this blog, we’ll discuss this common occurrence and explain why it happens, why it’s not harmful, and why some may even prefer it this way.

First, why does wax polish dry up?

High-quality wax polishes, such as Saphir’s, contain natural solvents and oils such as beeswax, carnauba wax and natural turpentine. Over time, these components can evaporate, leading to a drier consistency. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can also accelerate the drying process.

Wax polishes, products like Saphir wax polish and mirror gloss, typically have a higher wax-to-solvent ratio. This composition makes them harder and drier, creating thicker layers that can effectively fill in the unevenness of leather surfaces. The result is a smoother, more reflective finish, essential for achieving an incredible mirror shine. The hard waxes are essential to filling up the pores of the open-grained leather that would otherwise refract light and prevent it from shining

As with many natural products, wax polish can change consistency with age. While it doesn't spoil, it can become harder and solid over time. However, don't worry about the harder texture. In fact, the durability of the shine produced by dry wax polish can be an added benefit. These polishes are designed to create a robust layer on your leather; this results in a more long-lasting shine than softer, solvent-heavy formulations. This means that the mirror shine can better withstand wear and tear, thus maintaining its appearance for an extended period.

The firmer texture also allows for more precise layering, which is essential for achieving a high-quality shine. Dried polish can produce a good, longer-lasting shine. The more solid state allows for a smoother finish that may be harder to achieve with a softer, fresher wax, while its natural ingredients ensure that even when the polish dries out, it remains effective and safe for your shoes.

What to Do if You Prefer Softer Wax Polish

While some of us may prefer slightly dried wax polish because it provides better control during application, some may prefer a softer consistency; there are some ways you can consider restoring your wax polish:

• First, gently warming the tin can soften the wax. You can place the tin in warm water (be careful not to get water inside the tin) or use a hairdryer on a low setting to warm the surface. Here’s an example we found.
  
• Second, you can try adding a few drops of natural turpentine or mineral spirits to rehydrate the wax. Another simple way might be to use a spray such as the Saphir Wax Softener, a 100% plant-based product that you can spray into your wax tin. If you want to read more about the product, Saphir has it all here.

While some may say that you should regularly use your polish so that it won’t dry out too much, we think the best way is to keep the lid tightly sealed when not in use and store it in a stable environment.

We hope this helps you understand why Saphir wax polish dries out and why it’s actually a feature rather than a flaw. While some will appreciate the enhanced control and high shine it provides, some would prefer to restore it if a softer texture is preferred. There is no one-size-fits-all answer; it all comes down to your own preference and usage.

Happy polishing!