The disadvantages of wax impregnation are said to be: wax lining is irreversible; wax stains many paintings; many wax-resin mixtures discolor; wax softens many paintings, making them susceptible to leaching and abrasion by even the mildest solvents; beeswax can never be completely removed from cellulose; wax adhesives are heavy and highly flammable; wax has little adhesive strength and is subject to plastic deformation; wax impregnation prevents the formation of stronger of stronger bonds by more effective adhesives.