Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi guys,
My wife came back from the states with a nice bounty: Zymol Z-503 and Scratch-X, she also brought a set of 2 VERY soft polish towels and 2 microfibers - I am not sure exactly which one to use for what but I am not worried - a friend (Marc from the forum) will show me how to do this hopefully this weekend.

The question is - she got me Scratch-X 2, is it okay to use it on my ricks? what is the difference between scratch X 2 and the original one??

Thanks!

Two things, Gil:

Don't use Scratch-X 2.0 on Rick clearcoats. I picked some up last weekend to try, and after reading your post, got it out and tried it on a JG original RIC finish. It is MUCH more aggressive than the original, and you will notice hazing. The abrasives in the blend are reportedly different from the original. The original was merely kaolin, ground micro-fine. There is no MSDS available yet for Scratch-X 2.0.

The BAD NEWS: This stuff will be replacing the original Scratch-X in stores. So, stock up on the old stuff. I'm testing three possible replacements, and I'll post my results.

Second point: Avoid microfiber cloths. Use cotton only, and diapers preferably. Microfiber feels soft, but the individual fibers are harder than RIC's CV. This will also cause hazing. Think "extra-extra-extra-extra-extra fine steel wool" and you're in the right frame of mind.

Oh this is good to know Paul. I had a hard time getting Scratch X the last time I looked. Only Canadian Tire carried it here at the time.

Thanks Paul.
I am trying to stock some.

Brian:
http://www.foxruntools.com/search.aspx?find=MGL-G10307 - the cheapest I found
http://www.kgccs.com/Ecommerce/Categori ... =21&Page=1 - these guys are in Canada, according to the ebay ad this is the original scratch-x.

Paul: What is an effective way of just cleaning a rick will zymol alone do anything is it only for the coating? (my fretless blueburst and my DCM have no scratches whatsoever, only some fingerprints)
Thanks.

winston wrote:Oh this is good to know Paul. I had a hard time getting Scratch X the last time I looked. Only Canadian Tire carried it here at the time.

I just was at Wallyworld and they had a few on the shelf...I'll go out ASAP and grab what I can. I don't know if I can make it back before SERF, but I'll try.

Let me know if you want one Brian....I'd be happy to pick it up for ya!

I JUST DID the "treatment" on a few basses today.

THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP PAUL about BOTH Scratch X products!

Thanks GIl and Tony. I just called Canadian Tire in my home town and they have a few bottles left of the old formula. I will pick up another bottle there and store it. I appreciate the offer though T.

Don't let it freeze, eh?

My thought after reading this - why can't they leave well enough alone! So many products I've found over the years that do what I need really well disappear or are "improved" after a year or two....

Isn't that the description of "progress"?

jps wrote:Isn't that the description of "progress"?

Usually it means sales dropped off or there is a new sales manager....

Looks like I'm going shopping tomorrow; I hope one of the local shops still has the original formula.

gibsonlp wrote:Paul: What is an effective way of just cleaning a rick will zymol alone do anything is it only for the coating? (my fretless blueburst and my DCM have no scratches whatsoever, only some fingerprints)
Thanks.

For your fingerprints, Zymol alone is great and, properly applied, will discourage printing in the future. I'm also fond of Brillianize spray. (Google it). Although it's got some silicone, it has proven to be easy to remove. I also recommend Meguiar's Quik-Detailer spray. Smells like fruit too. Yum!

jingle_jangle wrote:Don't let it freeze, eh?

Hah! It snowed here yesterday. We thought spring had arrived a few days earlier. It was -8 C last night. No chance of my stuff freezing though, my house faces South and even when the furnace is turned off it stays well above freezing. Thanks to Mr. sun who visits us a lot both in the summer and the winter.

johnallg wrote:My thought after reading this - why can't they leave well enough alone! So many products I've found over the years that do what I need really well disappear or are "improved" after a year or two....

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then the leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.