doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cleaning guns before waxing

I just received my new can of Renaissance wax and want to start the process of cleaning the oil coating off the barrels and auctions on my guns. I am thinking mineral spirits will be the best thing to use for this. Are there any better fluids to use for this? I didn't realise how hard my old can of Renaissance was getting until I got the new can. I have had the old can for over twenty years. For those who have not tried it,it is well worth the money. I use mine for our marble vanity top, my cocobola duck and goose calls, collector knifes, furniture and soon my guns. The list could go on and on, it puts a nice clear protective coat on things and does not look greasy or built up.
Thanks

I use mineral spirits...seems to work fine...the unscented variety is a little more user friendly...

Next step. After you degrease and wax the metal and wood, do you lightly oil the metal, or leave it dry under the wax? Maybe just lubricate the moving surfaces? I've never used wax on my guns, so this is a serious (even if dumb) question...Geo

Renaissance wax might be fine on a gun that's to be put away...but doesn't hold up well with use.

HOJO, that's what I suspected and the reason I've never used wax. All of my guns are regularly used, so I'll probably stick with oil on the metal and maybe wax the wood...Geo

When storing mine for an extended length of time, I wipe them down with Ditzler's Wax and Grease Remover. After adequate drying time, I use either Butcher's Bowling alley wax, a turp based product that I have been using on furniture, hardwood floors, wood work, etc for years. After a dy period of about 3-5 minutes depending on humidity, I buff out with either a 100% cotton diaper or one of these new-fangled microfibre cloths.

I use products that I already have instead of spending money on speciality products. I also use 100% cotton, because certain synthetic fabrics can leave tiny scratches..... eventually "hazing" the surface.

I just used to use Johnson Paste Wax on my guns wood but I heard good things about Trewax and got a tin of it and it works much better than the Johnsons....Have never tried any of the others...I have put in on the metal a couple times but it just doesnt seem right....grease [RIG] or oil seems better for unpainted metal..

My limited experience with Ren-Wax is the same as Homeless Joe's. I spent a fairly large amount of money to get a jar of it and have been highly underwhelmed with it's performance in using guns. I'm much more trusting of a good wipe-down, after each use, using a flannel cloth charged or re-charged with just about anything. Sheath, Klenzoil, Breakfree, etc. Ren-Wax is highly overpriced and under-effective, IMO.

Ballistol will doitol but I don't waste it; Ed's Red as a crudcutter. Why does Sheath or whatever they call it now appear to creep around and show oily sheen in places and not in others. Show fingerprints also. Why would Renwax be superior to any wax containing carnauba?

jack

Renwax doesn't show finger prints but it does not hold up as well as the Carnuba waxes in use.