I got some renaissance wax since I've heard so much about it round here. It cost me about 10 pounds ($20) for a 200ml pot.

Wow - it works on everything! My Esterbrooks (and the duofold international and centennial which I've got in the marketplace at the moment, hint hint ) now have a fabulous sheen, and my 51 special is like new.

I then started wondering what else it would be good on. I started with my monitor, which is now far clearer than before, and went through all sorts of things in the immediate area, including:
- The mirror in the bathroom, which doesn't steam up anymore!
- My pen storage box, which needed a new coat (it's made from a junked paintbox)
- a small statue I carved the other day
- My girlfriend's violin, which looks absolutely fabulous now


I decided not to start on my Double bass yet, which would be a rather big project... but one day it'll be done!

I can just see you now running round with a rag and pot wondering what you can shine next. Where did you get it from??

Do not, I repeat, do not apply it to your girlfriend. She will not appreciate it even if it will make her shine like new.

This wax sounds great! Do you think it would help get minor scuffs out of resin pens?

One source and just read who uses it!:
http://www.restorationproduct.com/

"RENAISSANCE WAX is used in the following places in the U.S. - The Smithsonian Institute, Colonial Williamsburg Conservatory, Abraham Lincoln Residence, Vicksburg Military Park and Museum, Henry Ford Museum, Academy of Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NRA Museum, Rockefeller Restorations, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Hilton Hotels, BYU Museum of Art, National Ornamental Metals Museum, as well as other museums, government agencies, craftsmen, collectors both professional and amature alike.

In the United Kingdom it is used in the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Buckingham Palace, Military Museums at Aldershot, H.M. the Queens Royal Armourer, The National Museum of Antiquities - Scotland, Royal Armories (London & Leeds), The Imperial War Museum, Windsor Castle, and The Tower of London.
RENAISSANCE WAX has appeared on and in the following - "The Martha Stewart" TV show, "This Old House" magazine, Better Homes & Gardens "Wood" magazine, The Double Gun Journal, Gun List, 'Blade' magazine, Knives Illustrated, Knifeworld publications, 'Tactical knives' magazine, The Big Show Journal, Ships'n'Scale Magazine, Pool & billiards magazine, as well as many other articles for sportsmen, craftsmen, woodworkers, metalworkers, restorers, conservators and in famous professional reference and restoration publications worldwide! Martha Stewart "Living" magazine, "Real Simple" magazine & various internet forums."

I got it from Timecare.co.uk, who had the best price I could find (in the UK) - http://conservation-by-design.co.uk/timeca...at=0&page=1

They got it to me in about 2 days, too, which was great service, and now I've ordered some for my uncle too. Definite recommendation from me; these guys are great.


That's closer to the mark than you might think...

Renaissance is really great. I have been using it for ten years or so in knife handles and leather sheathes mainly, but also on pens and other stuff, and it works better than anything else I have tried.
It is a bit expensive compared to other products but it lasts a long time and I can´t think of a single product that is so versatile.

Anyone used it on hard chase rubber? Is it safe?

I am sure its great but shipping a 200 ml pack to India, is more than the cost of the wax!!!!!!!!

An online dealer I mailed, quoted $35 shipping for a 200 ml pack costing $25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anybody know of a seller who is willing to ship for less?

Thanks.

Thanks, Vermiculus, for recommending it to me today, but I only need a little bit (I don't really have much that needs protecting or reviving). Maybe some of us could share a pot. What do you think?

Edited to say: I've just been reading about some problems people have been having with the wax. I need to have a think about it.

Let us know what the problems are you have read about Bela?

Ren wax is fabulous. I've used it on gun stocks for years. It does a good job on metal, too.

Just a reminder that EVERY wax has just the tiniest amount of abrasive in it.

For those in the US, you can get it here: Renaissance Wax

Oh, I read this thread: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...;hl=renaissance
On the other hand, if the British Museum uses it on their priceless artefacts, it's probably OK.

I've got to admit, when this thread started I looked up Renaissance Wax and was leery about putting it on pens: the hard wax is made into a soft paste with white spirit (known as mineral spirits in the U.S.). I think I'll stick with Giovanni's Museum Wax!

-- Brian

I have a Pilot Custom 845 en route to me and wonder if Renaissance Wax could safely be used on Urushi lacquer..... I am in recent email contact with Picreator so will ask them and report back.
......

I have emailed them, referring them to this thread and asking if I may quote them here.....watch this space.

I had the following reply from Picreator:
"Dear Roger
We have no experience of the use of Renaissance wax on a surface first treated with Urushi lacquer. The wax could be used on the hard rubber itself without bad effects. The wax would be applied very sparingly and gently buffed to a shine. After allowing it to harden for an hour or two further thin coarts could be added, the first coat having acted as a protective against the solvent (white spirit) in the wax.
If you refer to the on-line encyclopedia Wikipedia , there is quite a lot of information about Urushi lacquer and how it is prepared from the tree sap origin. It is interesting to note that the liquid sap is highly toxic and that even the final lacquer, when brushed on to a surface and matured to a hard finish, can provoke skin reaction in vulnerable people. However, if you wished to try the wax on a very small trial patch on the pen, it would interesting to note the results. I don't know if the lacquered surface might become sticky if the pen were in the hand for long periods. I do know that in the same circumstances the pen, if waxed with Renaissance, would withstand a temperature of around 80C - I think you would need to be pretty steamed up about something to generate such heat!!

We have corresponded with many pen makers who have used Renaissance wax successfully on various materials.
If you quote any remarks of mine in the pen network I would be most appreciative if you allowed me to see what you say before you passed it on.
Kind Regards
John Lawson"

And I mailed them back today:
"Hello John
Thanks for your continuing interest in this.
I have the Urushi'd Pilot fountain pen and tried the Renaissance Wax on the end(s), without apparent ill-effect, so I have polished the whole pen with it!
As it was so shiny anyway, the results are not visible, but I hope the RW will provide just a little extra protection.
I will report to the Fountain Pen Network, and will let you know of any significant 'feedback'......or any 'effects' on the pen!
Kind regards
Roger"

It appears that, at least if you follow the instructions and polish the surface immediately after application, there are no obvious ill effects from using Renaissance Wax on Urushi lacquer.

I've used renaissance wax extensively for work on various materials. One thing to remember is that if you want to remove it you need to use white spirit. I've not had any luck trying it on hard rubber because I've found it increases the browning of vintage pens. How much was shipping from Conservation by Design? Always used to be expensive so not economical to buy a single pot, same goes for Preservation Equipment where we used to buy from. For a while Lakeland and John Lewis used to sell it, but last time I checked neither of my local stores stocked it.

It's good for waterproofing the writing on an envelope too

It also works great on the smooth cast-iron surface of a table saw :-) not quite as many uses as duct-tape... but definitely is a great product! :-)

I can't recall the exact shipping cost, Carrie, but didn't think it was excessive...I had it sent toa UK address and picked it up during a recent visit.