I was all ready to order some liquid Carnauba from Trypon and happened to
be in one of the local Discount Auto Parts stores. They have Meguiar's DeepCrystal
system Carnauba wax. Since this is their step #3 in a process preceeded by other
cleaning and polishing products, I think it safe to assume this is "pure" Carnauba wax
with no cleaning or polishing agents. It certainly is the yellowy color I think Carnauba
is naturally.

The first bit of good news is it's only $7 for 16 oz. That's Quite A Bit cheaper than the
"pen specific" wax. Actually, I wouldn't want to use this on a car (unless maybe a show
car) as I think there are other products that shine as good and last longer for auto
purposes so, for $7 you'll have enough to wax your pens til the cows come home.

I put a light coat on a couple pens tonight and bumped into a pleasent surprise. One
of the pens was a 14kt gold Cross Century Classic I which as you might expect, gets
fingerprints on it from just LOOKING at it. After I waxed it, I purposely pawed all over
it and then took a close look and it certainly appears to Great Lesson fingerprints "taking"
and showing on the pen. There is also no dusty residue of any kind putting it on or
buffing it off, easy on, easy off.

So if you are OCD to any degree with fingerprints on pens, maybe this is for you.

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Cool. I think I just purchase the same stuff. The huge tub will last me the rest of my days. I waxed up a few pens and they look great.

I have used in the past an auto polish & glaze called Astro Shield that I bought at a local Discount(now Advanced)
Auto Parts store. It was $14.95 for 32 oz. and a little goes a long way! I have found that it deepens the marbled
celluloid on vintage pens and really makes the little "metallic" flakes sparkle. It also brings out the shine on gold
filled caps and sterling silver as well.

John

I'll have to try that! I use liquid Meguiar's cleaner/wax to buff out little scratches and put a polish on pens, I'll have to get some that is just Carnauba wax.

I'm wondering what you all suggest for the ebonite Guider pen I have coming.

This description of Liquid Carnauba says not recommended for ebonite,
I assume either because it is not good for durability of the material
or could be that has no effect, waste of time to apply on hard rubber.

Their Pen Wax with carnauba and other substances is said to protect ebonite.

Their Museum Wax is also considered suitable.

Another option I might try is their Pen Cleaner-Protectant.

(no affiliation, potential customer)

http://www.tryphon.it/catalogo.htm

Liquid Carnauba
A new surface gloss restorer containing carnauba wax in liquid form. Perfect for gently restoring the sheen of celluloid, lucite, plastic and lacquer pens. Safe and non-reactive with most pen materials. Our carnauba wax does not cause surface build-up and does not craze. Superb results for most pens. Not recommended for hard rubber (Ebonite) pens. Buy all three premium polishes (XP Polish, Celluloid Polish and Liquid Carnauba) for only $25.

Pen Wax
High luster wax. This is a premium quality, high gloss wax containing Brazilian carnauba wax as well as other gloss enhancing components. A small amount of our Pen Wax will create a high gloss protective layer for all pens, including ebonite, lacquer and metal pens. The Pen Wax can also be used to protect exposed metal against corrosion.

Museum Wax
A mild, pure, museum-quality wax. Perfect for creating a glossy surface finish on hard rubber, celluloid or thermoplastic pens. Safe, it will not harm even the most delicate pens. Can be used to create a protective coating for metal surfaces.

Pen Cleaner-Protectant
I use this liquid cleaner on all plastic pens, on plated metal pens and even on hard rubber pens. It is non-abrasive and gives a great sheen to all surfaces, adding UV protection to the pen. New improved formula.

Hi David
For the record...
I only use a Silver Polishing cloth on the vintage and new Ebonite pens I have.
Shines up nice and no ill effects.

Steve

Since I don't have any hard rubber pens(not my cup o' tea)I don't know what would happen. But then,I'm not sure
how one could polish hard rubber and give it any sort of "shine".

John

I have similar good results with Autoglym Super Resin Polish which is around £7. I just rub in the polish with a pea sized blob of polish on my finger and it produces great results. SRP has the benefit of containing fillers which lessens the appearance of any minor scratches.

Its also worth understanding the difference between a wax and a polish

So you can use almost any car wax on metal pens?

Almost, but if I believe correctly, the more abrasive "polishes" (ones that are supposed to take out paint scratches) are capable of dulling the glow on a plated pen with elbow grease. Careful with the 9k/14k plateds and stick to non abrasive/final finshing ones.


I also must ask--how about on laque pens? Pen wax/carnuba works well from what I hear, but would a car wax behave differently from such? Just wondering.

kuno

Here is my completely unlearned but seemingly to me logical point of view
on car waxes/polishes on pens.

I myself am going to stay clear of any of them that advertise as cleaners or
polishes. Some of those have solvents in them, are made to disolve road
tar and I THINK aren't something I'd want on a plastic pen like one of my Esties.
The cumulative effect on a pen surface with alot of these products is unknown.
For example, Rain-X, a product that works great on auto glass will craze
motorcycle acrylic windshields Over Time, but that effect takes quite some time
to evidence itself. I don't want to take a chance with something like that happening
to one of my pens.

When it comes to polishing, there are already non-pen specific, reasonably priced,
widely available products for that that are known to be safe for specific pen finishes,
ie; Simichrome. Huge stratches withstanding, I'd think Simichrome would be able to
get most any surface clean enough for a wax to go on next.

When I got the Meguilar's Carnauba, I specifically avoided the other Carnauba products
that were described as Carnauba Cleaner/Wax as I have no clue what that "cleaner"
componant(s) consists of, nor it's short or long term effects on pens. The Carnauba I DID
get was the end product of a three product step preceeded by other chemical and
abrasive cleaners. No where on my bottle is there anything that hints of anything
OTHER than a straight Carnuaba wax which I know to be a relatively natural and benign
agent. That's why I felt pretty safe going with it.

Bruce in Ocala, FL

I'm kind of proud of the dull patina, scratches, worn-smooth cap logo buttons, and brassing that my Pelikans accumulate over the years. It shows that they're working pens, not display pieces.

I have had super results with Renaissance Wax and have even dared to use it, with no apparent ill-effect, on an Urushi lacquered Pilot.

And while there's nothing wrong with having 'well-used tools', IMO most good workmen will at least keep them clean.

There's something to be said, too, for an occasional polishing...while you are doing it you are likely to look more closely than usual at the 'tool'... if it has developed a fault you may be able to catch it promptly.

Always a problem when comparing American products to Uk product availability

Anyone tried beeswax?
I have this with camphor for furniture ... the camphor is supposed to discourage woodworm .. I'm not sure of any ill effects so far on celluloid but would appreciate any feed back

If you're using wax aimed at cars, you should let them cure about 12 hours in a warm place before you start handling them to let the wax fully cure. It will be even more protective and print-resistant at that time with the extra hardness.

I use Meguiar's Gold Class on my pens as well as my ride. Puts a nice gloss on the plastic and removes tarnish from the metal.

Of course, all of these pens are easily replacable. Your mileage may vary.

Some time ago, when I bought a silicone sac for a Jade Duofold, I went ahead and ordered a bevy of polishes from Tryphon. I got the three pack of 1 oz bottles and a 1 oz bottle of carnauba. Giovanni was also kind enough to include a sample of XP polish (which is bally amazing on plastics and celluloid).

Having very little to do, I decided to try out my polishes on my Waterman 55 (recently horribly disfigured...). After I tried the regular polish and XP polish on it, I threw some carnauba on it. Wow wow! It shines marvelously, almost as if it were brand new. The imprints and chasing stand out more so than before, and the smooth areas are mirrory. I will note, however, that some wax did get stuck in the chasing. Rubbing it by hand did remove most of it, though.

Worked marvels on my Duofold, too.

It smells like banana Laffy Taffy, too. Yet another plus

Meguiars' is superb for show cars, I have used it extensively on my pampered dodges over the years. I'm using 3M premium paste wax with excellent results on hard rubber and other plastic pens, and even on GF - solid metal pens. I apply it with my fingertips, since rubbing the paste wax surface with your warm fingertips kind of melts some wax and then after you apply, let it haze and buff with a soft clean whool cloth. Stunning! and it's UV safe! A coat of this 3M premium paste wax lasts about 6 months on my daily driver, it's so darn good that if you have a dusty dirty car, most of the dirt goes away after just a rinse in clean water.