R&F Encaustic Damar Resin Crystals 5-pounds is a hard natural tree resin. In encaustic paint, it allows wax to be buffed to a higher, more translucent surface and helps prevent blooming in the wax. It is the most common ingredient for hardening beeswax and raising its melting temperature. To use the damar to make your own encaustic medium, it must be melted in the beeswax and strained.