Carnauba Wax

collin · Nov 4, 2010

1. What do you use to put a protective polish a nice pipe?
The kind of carnauba wax that comes in flakes, which is, (I'm assuming), pure carnauba flakes, or something like Gelitz Guitar Wax which is mostly carnauba.
2. Would you use the same thing to put a new glossy finish on a stripped down and re-stained restoration job?

excav8tor · Nov 4, 2010

It will depend on many factors see this thread I did earlier this week - Waxing Lyrical - tips
And as for the Carnauba wax.... use a block and apply to a cotton buffer alternatively use the products suggested in the above thread.

jship079 · Nov 4, 2010

Man I cant wait to start restoring pipes I love bringing things to life

collin · Nov 4, 2010

Thanks excav8tor, that thread is exactly what I needed to read. Answered all my questions. I found the wax in bar form.

bubbadreier · Nov 5, 2010

Collin, where did you find it?

cortezattic · Nov 5, 2010

Carnauba on e-Bay has a pretty good offer. And 2oz. will last a very long time.

collin · Nov 5, 2010

I found it at Amazon.com, Bubba.

Five or six bucks for a bar of it.
I don't know how to do links, but here's the long one;
http://www.amazon.com/Beall-Tools-Carnauba-Wax-5-1/dp/B0037MM4PC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1288953154&sr=8-3

bubbadreier · Nov 5, 2010

Thanks guys! I never even thought to look online.

hauntedmyst · Nov 5, 2010

I don't think that stick on ebay is pure carnuba which is what you want. Stay away from compounds and mixes. Pure carnuba feels hard like plexiglass. Tim West sells some at Time West Repairs

2oz. will last a very long time.

Cortez is right about it lasting a long time, so when he says a long time, it is a really really long time. I have about 36 pipes and am more anal retentive about polishing them than anyone I know. I've been using a piece of carnuba wax about 1/2 the size of a hocky puck for going on 5 years and I am only about 1/3 the way through it.

madmurdoc · Jan 13, 2013

I bought 2 half pound bars of pure carnauba wax... :rofl:

foggymountain · Jan 14, 2013

Why wax? Shave.

killersnake · May 8, 2017

How do you apply the carnauba?

bonanzadriver · May 8, 2017

Snake,
most of us use a buffing/polishing wheel.
I have a variable speed jewelry polisher with two wheels. The left one is for polishing compounds, the right wheel is Carnuba only.
I rev the polisher up to high revs, gently push the carnuba bar into the spinning wheel, ensuring a good coat of wax is transferred to the wheel.
Then I slow the rev's to the slowest setting and start buffing the stummel, stem or both.

ssjones · May 8, 2017

A bar of carnuba wax is best applied by machine. If only a hand polish is possible, I'd use the Halycon wax.

craig61a · May 8, 2017

As was mentioned, carnauba applied via a cotton buff. I've used the Paragon and Halcyon products too, and while excellent products, they don't quite give the same deep finish.

jefff · May 8, 2017

I have used carnuaba with my hands and a cloth, but it works much better with a buffing wheel.
You don't need a machine, if you have a drill you can but a wheel that will chuck in.
I just have my wife hold the drill and buff away.

bonanzadriver · May 8, 2017

Great point Jeff,
I've seen videos of folks that have their variable speed drills in a vice on their bench.

cranseiron · May 8, 2017

You can make a carnauba paste wax to apply by hand if you don't have bench tools or hand tools. I melted carnauba flakes and a bit of bees wax and then added some tongue oil and turpentine or mineral spirits is ok, too. This can be applied by hand using a rag, wait for it to haze over like car wax and then polish by hand with a soft rag. I made some of this two or three years ago, jarred it up in a small ball jar and it's still good.

shikano53 · May 8, 2017

I get mine here.

$6.00 for a 4oz block. It only takes a very tiny bit. A 4oz block will last me ten lifetimes. And VMT is a site sponsor and you know it's 100% top quality.
http://vermontfreehand.com/product/carnauba-wax/

woodsroad · May 8, 2017

I'll hold out for the vid of Foggy shaving. Or waxing.

Carnauba Wax

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Site Sponsors

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Part of the Furniture Now

Can't Leave

Can't Leave

Part of the Furniture Now

Lifer

Lifer

Part of the Furniture Now

Lifer

Lifer

Can't Leave

Lifer

Lurker

Can't Leave

Moderator

Lifer

Lifer

Can't Leave

Part of the Furniture Now

Lifer

Lifer