Removing Wax / Polish Buildup

ricrocks · Post by **ricrocks** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:34 am

Hello and Happy New Year all.

This year I decided that its time to work on removing the *swirl* marks from JetGlo Ric. Meguires Swirl & Scratch remover seems to do the trick, however, there is quite a bit of hazing left on the finish... as if all the wax isnt being removed. Following with a bit of spray polish removed (or hid) the hazing.

After using the swirl remover, is it necessary to follow with a polish?

Im thinking that after years of waxing with both paste, and liquid, and also using spray polish, Ive got a lot of buildup there which is making it difficult to rub out the new wax. Just waxing the wax...

If this is the case, what can I *safely* use to remove this buildup?

Please note that I am *deathly* afraid to use a buffer on my guitars

lol

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 2:01 pm

well on the mild side there is dish soap. Everybodys probably heard that your not supposed to wash your car with dish soap because it removes the protective wax layers.

Logically it will work, but Im not sure how much washing it is going to take. Just be careful not to get the solution on any bare wood, as it will soak it up like a sponge, especially with the reduced surface tension due to the soap.

or you can go to an auto detail place and get Aircraft wax remover (be sure not to grab the Aircraft finish remover - they are usualy right nixt to each other) although I clim no safty to your finish with this product. it does work great on cars though. Oh yeah, if you get this stuff on the wood it will displace most of the water then dry realquick = a drastic change in moitsure content. I dont think I wana know what that would do.

I would go with teh mild soap solution. probably once/twice a week for as long as you like, obviously not waxing inbetween. then when it is done to your specs, give it a good thin wax - less at once is more...

JP

360dave · Post by **360dave** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 2:53 pm

I wouldn't use anything that has water in it because the wood can swell and cause check marks or otherwise damage the finish....especially if your guitar is an old late 50's one like mine.
If you use automotive clear coat rubbing compound on a soft cloth...that should remove all the old wax and then apply new wax.
Dave

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:32 am

you really shouldnt use rubbing compund on top of wax It is meant to blend paint, or cut down a scratch. the way I have always understood it is that your supposed to remove wax then use the compound to do its job then polish then reapply wax. but I could very easily be wrong. Rubbing compund is pretty much the same as polish, just not as fine a grit as polish is.

I didnt mean put your guitar in teh bath tub with ya, just dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution. Then have at it.

JP

ricrocks · Post by **ricrocks** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 9:48 am

Ive emailed RIC with this question and will pass on the info when received, if anyone is interested.

Meanwhile, Ive been researching. Wax *supposedly* doesnt build up. Each new coat ideally removes the previous. It may be that Im not letting the wax dry sufficiently. This results in merely moving the wax around the surface instead of removing it. Possible I guess.

Im not wild about using soap, but thanks for the suggestion

Rubbing compound is normally abrasive I would imagine as well.

Ive seen Mark mention naptha as a cleaner, but I dont know if it would remove wax. Hes likely still buried in guitars, so Im not gonna bug him about it lol.

Another gentleman from Dr Duck suggested a 50/50 mixture of alcohol and water... but cautioned me to check with RIC before trying it. And BTW... I just got a bottle of their Dr Ducks Ax Wax. Ive read a lot of good things about it. On their site is a testimonial from Roger McGuinn. Kosher? I dont know

Anyone ever use this stuff?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 2:12 pm

Plain old liquid Turtle Wax (with the white top) thinned down to about 50-50 with water will remove all the old wax and buildup nicely. Rub it on, rub it off without letting it dry. When you have the mixture and timing right, you'll see little beads of moisture left on the surface just before the final pass.

That's what we use in this situation in the factory, I use it in my studio, and my friends do as well- no complaints, and you can't beat the price or availability.

ricrocks · Post by **ricrocks** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:42 pm

Well... there ya have it LOL

Thanks Mr Hall for coming on and personally resolving my dilemna... appreciate it!

Now... whats that new color again?? :p

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 4:36 pm

It's ******glo.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:25 pm

Hrrmmm - Snowflake glo???

8 -}

wileyibex · Post by **wileyibex** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:43 pm

That new color sounds like an ideal match for me, J Hall, as I'm always being told I don't know my asterisk from a hole in the ground...

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:49 pm

Well, there's 6 asterisks there... enough to cover the letters in the word "autumn."

Is it Autumnglo?

I guess we'll know soon enough.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 5:46 am

Hmmm....

******GLO
AUTUMN***

Man, I hope we have a match...

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:42 am

Maybe...

******GLO
PURPLE***

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:40 am

orangeglo
yellowglo
violetglo
indigoglo

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:01 am

You mentioned Autumnglo. How 'bout a new finish: Springglo, Summerglo, Winterglo?