You're about to buy Aquazol and find that there isn't just one, but three: Aquazol 50, Aquazol 200, and Aquazol 500.
And nowhere do they clearly tell you which one you need.
This guide solves exactly that problem. By the time you finish reading it, you'll know which number to order for your intervention — without having to write a thesis on polymers to figure it out.
For whom it is intended: restorers and conservators who will use Aquazol as a consolidant, adhesive, or reintegration medium and want to get the right grade the first time.
What is Aquazol (and why are there three numbers)
Aquazol is a synthetic resin —chemically, poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)— widely used in conservation and restoration as a consolidant, adhesive, and reintegration medium. It dissolves in both water and alcohol, is reversible, and has a good history of aging stability (low yellowing), which has made it one of the reference materials in the sector.
The three numbers — 50, 200, and 500 — are not different brands or different qualities. They are the molecular weight of the resin (in thousands of g/mol, approximately):
- Aquazol 50 → low molecular weight (≈ 50,000 g/mol)
- Aquazol 200 → medium molecular weight (≈ 200,000 g/mol)
- Aquazol 500 → high molecular weight (≈ 500,000 g/mol)
And what does that change in practice? Everything that matters to you: how much it penetrates, how viscous it is, and how strong the final film is.
The rule is simple:
The higher the number, the greater the viscosity and film strength, but the lower the penetration capacity.
That is, 50 penetrates the most, and 500 forms the strongest film. 200 is in the middle, and that's why it's the most versatile.
The quick decision table
If you just want the answer, here it is:
| Grade | Molecular Weight | Penetration | Film | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquazol 50 | Low | High | Less resistant | Consolidating porous supports and powdery layers where deep penetration is needed |
| Aquazol 200 | Medium | Medium | Balanced | General use: medium consolidation, light adhesive, reintegration medium. The most versatile. |
| Aquazol 500 | High | Low | Very resistant | Structural adhesion, support, joints requiring maximum strength |
If you have to choose just one and don't know which: the 200. It covers most jobs and is the one almost all restorers have in their workshop.
At Innovart, we directly supply 200 and 500 (both in 1 kg containers). 50 is not in the direct catalog: for the extreme case of maximum penetration, 200 diluted (2.5–5%) covers most deep consolidations — and if your case is truly extreme, we can help you assess bringing in 50 by special order.
Which one to choose depending on what I'm going to do
If you are going to consolidate powdery layers or absorbent supports → Aquazol 50
When the problem is a disintegrated paint layer, a powdery mural, or a very porous support, what you need is for the consolidant to penetrate and reach the problem area, not just stay on the surface.
For this, the low molecular weight of Aquazol 50 is the most suitable: being less viscous, it penetrates better. You can work at slightly higher concentrations without the solution becoming too thick.
(We do not have 50 in our direct catalog. In the vast majority of these cases, Aquazol 200 worked at a low concentration —2.5–5%— penetrates sufficiently; if your support is very compact or the disintegration is very deep, write to us and we will consider bringing in 50 by special order.)
If it's a general consolidation or retouching use → Aquazol 200
The 200 is the "all-rounder". It serves for medium-intensity consolidation, as a light adhesive, as a fixative, and as a medium for chromatic reintegration. If your work is varied and you don't want to have three different jars, this is the one you buy.
If you need strong adhesion or structural support → Aquazol 500
When you are looking to bond, support, or reinforce with the maximum possible strength, 500 is the appropriate grade. Its film is the most cohesive and holds up better. Since it is more viscous, you achieve the desired effect with less product.
How to prepare it (approximate dosages)
Aquazol dissolves in water or alcohol. Being able to choose the solvent is one of its great advantages: if the original is sensitive to water, you prepare it in alcohol and you're done.
As a general reference:
- Consolidation / fixing: 2.5% to 10%. Start low and increase if necessary.
- Adhesive: 10% to 20% or more, depending on how demanding the bond is.
- Reintegration: the concentration that gives the pigment good workability.
You decide the exact concentration according to your case. Here's the framework; the recipe is provided by your judgment and the artwork before you.
An advantage they don't tell you: reversibility
Aquazol is reversible: it can be redissolved in water or alcohol even after time has passed. For conservation, this is gold, because it means that your intervention can be undone in the future without damaging the artwork. This is exactly what is expected of a good restoration material.
Compared to other consolidants, its double solubility (water and alcohol) and its reversibility make it particularly convenient to work with.
Does Aquazol have drawbacks? Humidity, above all
Aquazol is hygroscopic: it absorbs water from the environment. In practice, this means that in high relative humidity environments, the film can soften, become slightly tacky, and pick up dirt. Water acts as a plasticizer and softens the resin.
It's not a defect that disqualifies it —it's an excellent material— but it does define its range of use: it is not the ideal consolidant for artwork that will remain in very humid environments without humidity control. For the workshop and artwork under controlled conditions (moderate RH), it doesn't cause problems.
Product storage: keep the container tightly closed and dry (the solid can cake and absorb moisture). Water solutions have a limited shelf life (they can mold or degrade), so prepare the amount you are going to use; alcohol solutions last longer.
Summary: the decision in one sentence
- Deep consolidation? → the ideal would be 50 (by special order); diluted 200 covers almost all cases
- General use? → Aquazol 200
- Strong adhesion? → Aquazol 500
- Not sure? → Aquazol 200 and don't complicate things.
Not sure which one you need? Take our 4-question test and we'll tell you instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aquazol
What is the difference between Aquazol 50, 200, and 500?
The number indicates the molecular weight of the resin. 50 (low) penetrates the most; 500 (high) forms the most resistant film; 200 (medium) is the balance and the most versatile. The higher the number, the greater the viscosity and resistance, but the lower the penetration.
Which Aquazol is most commonly used?
Aquazol 200. It is the default grade for most medium consolidation, light adhesive, and reintegration jobs. If you're only buying one, buy 200.
Can I buy Aquazol 50 at Innovart?
We directly supply 200 and 500 (1 kg). 50 is not in the direct catalog, but 200 diluted (2.5–5%) covers most cases that would require a 50; for extreme consolidations, we can assess bringing it in by special order.
What is Aquazol used for?
As a consolidant for pictorial layers and supports, as a reversible adhesive, and as a medium for chromatic reintegration. It is poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline).
What does Aquazol dissolve in?
In water and alcohol (ethanol). Being able to choose the solvent allows it to be adapted to water-sensitive originals.
Is Aquazol reversible?
Yes. It redissolves in water or alcohol even over time, allowing the intervention to be removed in the future without damaging the artwork.
Can Aquazol be used in humid environments?
With caution. It is hygroscopic: in high relative humidity, the film can soften and become tacky. It is not the best option for artwork that will be in very humid environments without humidity control.
Where to buy Aquazol in Spain
At Innovart, we work with curated conservation and restoration materials and provide real technical advice: if you have a specific intervention and don't know which grade or concentration to use, you can ask us before buying.
→ See Aquazol 200 and 500 at Innovart
→ Take the test: which Aquazol do you need?
Still have doubts about which grade to use in your case? Write to us and we'll help you choose. This is not a sales form.