Hi lkotsios, my ol' Pal...
Long time no hear from you!
(So why this poser, of all things?!?!...

)
Without delving too far into: Lipid Chemistry...
Here's a list of the major constituents/components of
Plant Leaf Waxes:
-
n-Alkanes: CH3(CH2)xCH3 [21-35C, odd numbered]
-
Alkyl esters: CH3(CH2)xCOO(CH2)yCH3 [34 to 62C, even numbered]
-
Fatty acids: CH3(CH2)xCOOH [16 to 32C, even numbered]
-
Fatty alcohols (primary): CH3(CH2)yCH2OH [22 to 32C, even numbered]
-
Fatty alcohols (secondary): CH3(CH2)xCHOH (CH2)yCH3 [23 to 33C, odd numbered]
-
Fatty aldehydes; CH3(CH2)yCHO [22 to 32C, even numbered]
-
Ketones: CH3(CH2)xCO(CH2)yCH3 [23 to 33C, odd numbered]
-
β-Diketones; CH3(CH2)xCOCH2CO(CH2)yCH3 [27 to 33C, odd numbered]
-
Triterpenols Sterols: α-amyrin, β-amyrin, uvaol, lupeol, erythrodiol
-
Triterpenoid Acids: Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, etc
Thinking out loud:
-With the new VOC regulations...How will the rapid evaporation of the "newer" carrier solvents be maintained,
as was once done before...with the "older" environmentally-damaging volatile organic carriers?
-It can't be overlooked that most modern "carnauba"-waxes have some sort of "polymer" too.
Now...We've talked before about how some polymers (such as those in certain Sealants that are said to be "acidic poly-acrylics")...
are said to
'etch' the paint (however so slightly) in order to "bond".
Perhaps these type of wax/sealant hybrids' top-most molecules are also "acidic"?
-
ph Strips may be a useful tool in determining the acidity, if any, of a carnuba-wax in its un-cured form.
Bet it'd be very difficult to use them on carnuba-wax that is in its hardened, cured form!
Let there be no doubt:
-Much progress in the identification (and quantification) of various plant-waxes' components has been
made using high-temperature gas chromatography, often in combination with mass spectrometry.
-I no longer have access to such expensive equipment.
I'm often glad that is the case.
So...Regardless of plant-waxes' acidity (before/during/after):
Keep the Shiny Side Up...my Friend!!
Bob