🎨 Acrylics Meet Wax: Testing Powertex Power Wax & Schmincke Wax Gel (vs. Cold Wax for Oils)

🎨 Acrylics Meet Wax: Testing Powertex Power Wax & Schmincke Wax Gel (vs. Cold Wax for Oils)

I’ve been craving that soft, matte, layered look that cold wax gives in oil painting — the kind of surface that feels mysterious and tactile, like you could sink into it. But since I mostly work in acrylics, I’ve been curious whether there’s a way to get that vibe without switching to oils.

So I tested two acrylic-friendly, wax-like mediums that promise similar effects:

• 🧴 Powertex Power Wax

• 🧴 Schmincke Acrylic Wax Gel

And I compared both to my trusted reference point:
🕯 Zest-It Cold Wax Medium (for oils)

Both waxes can be used on their own or mixed with acrylics or pigments.

🧪 Powertex Power Wax — First Impressions

This one felt very familiar — creamy, soft, and surprisingly close to traditional cold wax. It reminded me a lot of the Zest-It Cold Wax I’ve used with oils:
✔️ Smooth consistency
✔️ Matte, velvety finish
✔️ Excellent for palette knife application
✔️ Plays nicely with layering

Even after a couple of days, it wasn't fully dry — much like oil-based wax. But in theory, once cured, it can be polished (I'll report back on that soon ✨).

💡 Schmincke Wax Gel — First Impressions

This one behaved much more like an acrylic medium — not waxy at all in feel. It reminded me of a soft gel medium with a slightly matte finish.
✔️ Smooth and brushable
✔️ Dries fast
✔️ Doesn’t feel like wax — but does tone down gloss
✔️ Matte surface appears best when applied more thickly

They say it’s polishable, but honestly… I didn’t have much luck with that. Maybe with a rougher cloth? 🤷‍♀️

Seen in photo- a thicker layer of schmincke's wax gel

mixed with acrylic ink

⏳ After a Few Days of Drying Time...

• Schmincke Wax Gel dried completely, and remained very much in the acrylic medium category — it’s more of a finishing effect than a cold wax substitute.

• Powertex Power Wax still wasn’t fully dry after 2–3 days, but it retained that beautiful soft-touch feel that reminds me exactly of Zest-It. I’m hopeful that once it fully cures, I can polish it just like traditional wax 🕯

🎯 So… Which One to Choose?

If you're after that cold wax oil painting experience — the layering, the drag, the softness — go with Powertex Power Wax. It's as close as I’ve found to Zest-It for acrylic use.

If you want a matte, polishable acrylic medium that behaves like a gel — not a wax — and integrates seamlessly into your existing acrylic workflow, then Schmincke Wax Gel might suit you better.

Just be clear on your goals — are you chasing the feel of wax, or just the look?

🗨️ Have you tried either of these? Do you have a favorite matte or waxy medium for acrylics? Let me know — I’m always curious what’s working for other artists in the studio! 💬