Hi,
    Coating the block will not make any difference to the environmental
control factor. If the area gets too hot, the blocks will soften and
eventually melt together with or with out the coating. Oxidation, or similar
decomposition may be prevented but so will facing off the affected area
before cutting.
    Small specimens can't be faced off like this, but since it is difficult
to see the specimen when removing the coating, so facing through the
specimen still presents a problem.
Amos Brooks

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clarke Ian" 
To: "histonet" 
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2001 6:16 PM
Subject: Re Block storage


> Hi all,
> does anyone seal their block faces with wax for storage purposes ?If so at
> what point do you seal them,once a day/week or does anyone do this
straight
> after the cut.The reason I am asking this is we have had a problem of
block
> deterioration as the block store we use at present is not environmentally
> controlled.Does anyone utilise other chemicals such as thin coats of
plastic
> or vacuum packing?
> Thanks in advance.
> Ian Cla