Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bighouse wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 12:34 pm FWIW, I picked up a 5oz container of Ronsonol yesterday. Plan on doing some work to my 4001 today and will give the body and fingerboard a good cleaning. I’m assuming I should take a microfiber type cloth, squirt a bit into it and scrub away? Does it evaporate real quickly or will the rag stay damp for a bit? I am secretly hoping that my 40 year old aged bindings go from creamish-yellow to white.

I use a clean cotton rag. Naphtha will evaporate pretty quickly from the bass but will take a while for the rag to dry. Not so sure about using a MFC for this sort of application.

Don't expect miracles as to de-yellowing the binding; that won't happen.

This is what I have been using for many years; I put the rag on the spout and turn the can over for a second to get it wet.
For our application, ignore the thins part on the can's description, it won't harm anything.

jps wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 9:29 am

lumgimfong wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 8:06 am Ronsonal is “Light Hydrotreated Distillate (70%)" together with "Hydrotreated Light Naphtha (30%)"”

So, Ronsonal is not 100% naphtha? What comprises this “Light Hydrotreated Distillate (70%)" and what do they mean by "Hydrotreated Light Naphtha (30%)? Sounds like what ever it is, it's watered-down.

Sorry, the chemist must chime in ... technically, there isn't a "100% naphtha" per se, as naphtha is a mixture of straight-chain and branched hydrocarbons (and the different brand probably have slightly different proportions of the components). Although I am not familiar with the term "hydrotreated", it likely means that the mixture is treated with hydrogen in one form or another (e.g., either as hydrogen gas with a catalyst, or in the form of a strong hydride (reducing) agent) to convert aromatics and alkenes to saturated hydrocarbons.

FWIW, I have used just Turtle Wax to remove "gunk", as it, being lipophilic like naphtha, will dissolve/lift oily/greasy residues from surfaces.

because I looked it up -
Hydrotreating is the reaction of organic compounds in the presence of high pressure hydrogen to remove oxygen (deoxygenation) along with other heteroatoms (nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine).

Hydrotreatment of Naphtha - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP6ZJ5-fBwo

Sorry to revive an old thread but...

Is VM&P Naphtha safe on all Ric finishes? My local hardware store carries this but not regular Naphtha. First time buying this product so I want to be sure.

thevince wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 5:26 am Sorry to revive an old thread but...

Is VM&P Naphtha safe on all Ric finishes? My local hardware store carries this but not regular Naphtha. First time buying this product so I want to be sure.

Yes, that is perfect.

The VM&P in the name stands for "Varnish Makers & Paint"
I agree with Jeff, I've used it for years.

While the use of Naphthalene would not seem to be a significant hazard for your Rickenbacker, I am not so sure that its use is particularly safe for humans. I wonder this after reading the following document. Notwithstanding the observation that many have used the product for years without apparent adverse consequences, is the risk of its use worth it when less potentially harmful products for gunk removal are available. Just curious, I am no chemist and have not studied biochemistry.

admin wrote: Tue May 12, 2026 3:35 pm I am not so sure that its use is particularly safe for humans.

i would never use just small amounts of naphtha in a room that wasn't very well ventilated. That article is a reminder that nitrile gloves and googles should be worn.

Thanks Joey. Sage advice based on experience. Your comments are appreciated.

admin wrote: Tue May 12, 2026 8:18 pm Thanks Joey. Sage advice based on experience. Your comments are appreciated.

The older I get, the more safety nets I use.

rickenbrother wrote: Wed May 13, 2026 10:40 am The older I get, the more safety nets I use.

Point taken. That is so very true, Joey.