Can I use car wax on wood

[Bristol_Rob]

I've been using Alfie Shine Hard Wax over my shellac finish and love it.

But I was wondering what would happen if I used some quality (Auto Glym) car polish. I have so much of that stuff, it just made me wonder. I think the products of that ilk are a liquid form of carnauba waxes and resins.

I will do some testing. Just wondered if enyone has tried this

 

[Kittyhawk]

For what it's worth, my car polish is carnauba wax, the wife's furniture polish is carnauba wax, and the mold release I use on bare wooden mock ups when fibreglassing is also carnauba wax. Can't see why it shouldn't be ok for your application.

 

[sawtooth-9]

Beware
Many of these products are silicone based.
I suggest you DO NOT DO IT unless you know for sure it is not a silicone

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Yes you can use car wax, if it does contain silicone it will only be a problem if the piece needs refinishing at some point in the future. and there are ways to get over that.

 

[Bristol_Rob]

Beware
Many of these products are silicone based.
I suggest you DO NOT DO IT unless you know for sure it is not a silicone

Why would silicone cause a problem?

 

[Old.bodger]

It causes hideous refinishing problems. Called cissing or fish eyeing, it is very hard to avoid, and removing the silicone contamination is VERY difficult.

 

[Fergie 307]

As Old Bodger says any silicone would need to be completely removed before any sort of refinishing. Easy enough on a car where it has been applied over paint, a relatively non porous surface. Put it on bare wood and I doubt you would ever get rid of it as it will be absorbed into the surface.

 

[Kittyhawk]

For what it's worth, my car polish is carnauba wax, the wife's furniture polish is carnauba wax, and the mold release I use on bare wooden mock ups when fibreglassing is also carnauba wax. Can't see why it shouldn't be ok for your application.

In reference to the OP's original question, he likes to use carnauba wax over his shellac finishes. I have checked out the three waxes mentioned in my preceding post and none of them contain silicone or any other additive except for the child bride's furniture wax which contains a 'gloss enhancer.' So if his car polish is silicone free carnauba wax then I think he will be fine with it for his application.

 

[Fergie 307]

I think the autoglym polish does contain silicone, if I remember correctly.

 

[GuitardoctorW7]

It causes hideous refinishing problems. Called cissing or fish eyeing, it is very hard to avoid, and removing the silicone contamination is VERY difficult.

That's why ordinary furniture polish is a no no on musical instruments, silicon is a PITA

 

[Bristol_Rob]

Good to know guys - thank you.

 

[sammy.se]

Also, polish is not wax

Polish is a mild abrasive. Wax is a finish.

 

[Plane Speaker]

I've been using Alfie Shine Hard Wax over my shellac finish and love it.

But I was wondering what would happen if I used some quality (Auto Glym) car polish. I have so much of that stuff, it just made me wonder. I think the products of that ilk are a liquid form of carnauba waxes and resins.

I will do some testing. Just wondered if enyone has tried this

Auto Glym is used by a luthier on Youtube to finish his french polished guitars. I used it to finish my repolished guitar and recommend it highly.

 

[SLM]

Auto Glym is used by a luthier on Youtube to finish his french polished guitars. I used it to finish my repolished guitar and recommend it highly.

On utube, you say? Must be a great idea then.