Scratch-X & Zymol

[jingle_jangle]

Wow. I just read the thread on the Unofficial Martin Guitar forum. Those guys are pretty intense. Stuff like "throw that tube of **** in the garbage..". Panic. One "experienced" board member saying that "silicone makes a guitar impossible to refinish", which is nonsense--that's why every industrial paint manufacturer makes a product, generically called "wax and grease remover", to remove it if used properly. And, in very, very rare cases where silicone contamination is suspected, the addition of a product called "fisheye remover" to the new paint material, neutralizes silicone effects on the new paintwork. Not surprisingly, there are lots of plugs for Martin's own Polish. Do I detect a certain rigidity in thinking in evidence?

One guy posted exactly what I suspect--that the Meguiar's CS rep (who may be in a call center in a Third World country, with nothing to wax but his Tata) could have been mistaken, which is what I tend to believe.

Unless the formula for this stuff has changed lately (like earlier today), there is no mention nor is there any evidence of silicone in this product in my years of use. The MSDS should show it. (For instance, the MSDS for Armor-All Low-Shine Protectant lists a 10-20% silicone emulsion content, because silicone is considered a hazardous ingredient, and must therefore be listed by law.

Again, Scratch-X shows no silicone on its MSDS. Only a petroleun distillate as vehicle and kaolin (clay powder), a mild and very, very fine abrasive that feels like corn starch and actually is so soft that it breaks down with use, so the polishing action is finer and finer the more you rub.

I say, let those guys believe what they will. Incidentally, it makes little difference what we apply Scratch-X over, a high shine finish will be either nitrocellolose or acrylic lacquer, polyester or polyurethane. RIC uses polyurethane. The effect will be the same--a finer shine. Using it on an oiled or other non-sealed finish or a matte varnish surface, is an exercise in futility and stupidity, anyway.

[simer4001]

So there! Thanks for chiming in Paul.

[goofyfoot]

Completed Scratch-Xing and Zymoling a couple of Rics and then began rereading this thread. I'm cool with both products. No worries. Thanks for chiming in though, J-J. Regards....Goofyfoot

[johnv]

Thank you for your response Paul.

[drathbun]

Thanks Paul! I knew I'd get a level-headed response here!