Is this product oily? Do I need to mix it before use? I tried to wax my first radio today. Followed the directions as to apply and wait untill dries to white color and buff off. It never got white and when it dried I wiped it off and the rag was tan in color. I didn't know what to
expect paste wax to look like but I didn't expect it to be a oily greasy product. May be mine is too old? I guess I thought it would be a paste white kinda product. Should it smell strong like terpintine?

Any comments or help would be greatly appreciated!

Lynn

Hi Lynn, is this the stuff you are using?http://www.homedepot.com/buy/cleaning/cleaners/sc-johnson/16-oz-fine-paste-wood-wax-64825.html, sound like it may be cleaning some of the surface grime off.

Have you cleaned the set with soapy water? I use Mr.Clean, diluted 2 tablespoons to a quart of water, in a sprayer. Let it sit, in the bathtub, and rinse well!

Lynn,
are you working on a wood, or Bakelite cabinet?

You probably used more than was needed. All that's required is a very thin application, just enough to cover the surface. When you buff off the excess, the final thickness is only a few molecules. People who talk of putting "several coats of wax" on, have no idea what they're doing.

I am working on a Philco 1933 model 57C some times know as the "Toaster". It is wooden and yes I am using the johnson paste wax as shown. Yes, I cleaned the cabinet with gojo and got off alot of dirt and grime. Let it dry for a week before getting back to it. I didn't use very much JPWax because it is so oily and stinky. Should I expect some kinda shine? It did nothing for the radio. I was wondering if my can of paste wax is bad??

Any more ideas?

Lynn

Lynn, the wax does have some VOC's that will give give off a slight solvent smell. Typically I have not found paste waxes to be excessively oily, and a very thin application should dry to a haze before buffing off. Extremes in temperatures (hot and freezing) is not good when storing wax, so perhaps your old can has broken down?

Try your wax on a nicely finished wood surface in an inconspicuous spot. A very thin application should dry to a haze and then buff off to a shine. If yours does not behave like this then you might have a bad can... and paste wax is usually just what the name implies, a hard paste wax. Oily is not how I would describe the type of wax you are using. If your wax seems bad just pick up a fresh can or some Minwax paste wax and give it another shot.

Good luck and keep us posted.

If it's shiny and oily looking in the can, it's gone bad. It's not uncommon for the stuff to go bad. I had a can that did - it looked like yellow grape jelly when I threw it out. Didn't do a thing when attempting to use. You could rub and buff all you wanted, but it would just sit there all greasy, not really cleaning or anything.

Hmm, maybe the new stuff is formulated differently, but I have cans of Butcher's, Trewax, Simonize, and Johnson's, some fifty years old, and all work the same. I wouldn't be surprised if the proportion of carnauba wax had gone down over time, though, or the solvent had been changed.

You sure got that right Alan. I hear guys putting "5 coats of wax" on their cars, etc. Let's see if you put on a coat over a previous coat, it doesn't add another layer.


Lynn, the paste wax could have a smell to it. Don't worry about it being too old. I still use a can from the 60s and have a couple of other cans I bought at an auction from the 70s.

On some applications I will put a dot of mineral spirits on the application cloth, then rub the wax. That helps to get an even coat of the wax. If your wax comes out of the can too 'dry' you might try that.
You also need to let the wax dry out before buffing off. Otherwise you have the smeared look to it.

Ok Guys, I took a picture of the can of Johnson Paste Wax. Its a grey, green looking and the smell is so over whelming I had to take it outside when I tried to use it the first time! Let me know what you all think...Bad? Just not what I expected!!! Sorry about the oversize picture I am still trying to figure posting pictures out!!
Lynn

Looks normal to me.

Bear in mind there's enough in that can for hundreds of console radios. You only need enough to wet the surface; any more will be buffed off and wasted.

It looks right to me as well. As for the smell, maybe I'm just around solvents too much to be bothered by it.

Try Butchers Bowling Alley wax.

Ok Guys, thanks for all your help!! I am going to start
cleaning my GE Treasure Chest J62 on saturday. I will get
some before and after pictures up on the Philco Toaster this
weekend. Thanks so much everyone, all your help is greatly
appreciated and very helpful!!!!!

Lynn