Rickenbacker finish care

greg_mitchell · Post by **greg_mitchell** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:07 am

This might have been beat to death at some time or another but I can't find anything in the archives so.....What is the best way to protect the finish on my Ric bass? Waxes or cleaners? Just wipe it down with the supplied dust cloth? Anything else?

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:30 am

There are a number of threads in "The Vibrola" Rickenbacker Technical Forum.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:04 am

Liquid Turtle wax half and half, is the official recommendation

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:15 am

The one with the white cap without silicone.
I think John Hall said he personaly uses Martin Guitar polish. I use it myself. It's a nice spray on polish. I also use pure carnumba wax once and a while just to put a protective coat on the finish.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:20 am

I tried carnuba wax and it makes the neck really sticky unless it was the formula I used, wasn't pure, I tried bowling alley wax once, now that was a mistake!

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:25 am

Try this Bob. It's not sticky. I mix it with just a couple drops of water, and wipe it on, and buff it out. Just like car wax.

http://www.steveclayton.com/polish.html

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:48 am

I use Zaino car polish - awesome stuff!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:34 pm

I really like this polish from stewart-macdonald.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Guitar_polish,_polishing_cloth/Preservation_Polish.html

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:09 pm

Bob Young, you can't stop there ... what happened with bowling allley wax ???

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:22 pm

Haha! It was the stickiest stuff I ever used, you couldn't slide your hand on the neck for anything. I think they make it that way for bowling alleys so the balls have some friction or something when they go down the alleys, just a guess though. When you put your hand on the neck it was planted there. The worst part was that I couldn't get it off it was so tough.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 7:04 am

I just tried the Meguire's 3 part finish care system on my 1980 460 with excellent results. Step one is an cleaner that lifts oils and grime off of the surface. Step 2 is non-abrasive polish. I am not sure how it works. The final step is carnuba wax. The finish was dull and worn looking when I started. No amount of buffing or guitar polish helped. It's original mirror-like shine. The finish is smooth to the touch and not at all sticky or waxy.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:33 am

Ted, I agree with the Meguiar's. I've been used it for years and I was always happy with the results.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:34 am

Just ordered a bottle of that Stewart-MacDonald stuff, Ted.

Looks pretty good.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:09 am

Meguiar's or Martin Guitar polish are my choices, both work well. I typically do an initial cleaning and wax with Meguiars when I first acquire an instument then use Martins for periodic cleaning.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:51 am

Mark:
The Stew-Mac polish is good stuff.