Dewaxing is the required to remove the hydrocarbons that solidify as temperatures decrease. Removing these hydrocarbons lowers the pour point which is a desired characteristic of a fuel because it can continue to function as lower temperatures. Dewaxing can be done in one of two methods. Solvent dewaxing is a physical process of freezing and removing the waxes. Catalytic dewaxing is a chemical process which removes wax by reaction of long chain n-alkanes or wax.

Solvent dewaxing is done by refrigeration of the feedstock after it is mixed with a solvent. The temperature of the refrigeration process depends on the desired pour point of the product. If the desired pour point is very low then the refrigeration will be very low. The wax crystals are separated by a cloth filter. These wax crystals are called slack wax and can be used for making candles, cosmetics and petroleum jelly. The solvents used in this process are methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and propane.

Catalytic dewaxing utilizes a process to crack the n-paraffins (wax). This method of selective cracking takes place in the zeiolite catalyst. The small pore size of this catalyst wont allow i-paraffins to react. Increasing the concentration of i-paraffins in the fuel lowers the pour point because there are less n-paraffins to freeze at higher temperatures. Advantages of this method over solvent dewaxing include product stability, lower capital investment, and flexibility to produce both lube oil stock and light distillates.