Carnauba versus Paragon wax.

[mawnansmiff]

I was just reading an old (4 years) thread on here where it was stated that Paragon wax is 30% harder than carnauba wax. Surely this cannot be so. As far as I am aware Paragon wax is a soft paste.
It also stated that Paragon wax was far superior for use on smooth pipes than carnauba wax, giving a better sheen and being more hardwearing.
What say the experts of today? I have to say I have my doubts about these claims. Methinks Paragon wax is very similar to Renaissance wax, very nice but resulting in more of a satin finish.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[darwin]

It might be harder but I'm skeptical. Paragon is a mix of ingredients that must be combined with solvents to form an easily applied paste. Pure bar carnauba wax must be pushed against a rotating buffing wheel which melts it so that it can then be applied to the wood. Without a buffer a paste wax has to be used. Whatever the claims of manufacturers only power buffing can produce a mirror shine, assuming that is what one is after. If not then no problem.

 

[danielplainview]

I'm no expert but from my own experience, carnauba is far superior. Carnauba has a better shine and is much more durable. Paragon is nice to use for rustic and blasted finishes.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

My understanding is that Paragon wax is modified Renaissance Wax.
Paragon wax should live up to the claims of being harder and more heat resistant, but it sounds like the quality of shine is still dependant on your methods more than your materials.

 

[mawnansmiff]

FrozenCW, given what you say, what method would you suggest to get a carnauba like shine from paragon wax?
Also are you able to explain why or how PW is harder than CW?
I have no PW here to play with though I do have renaissance wax and that just gives me a satin sheen, albeit only with hand buffing, I never tried power buffing it. Nice though the satin sheen is, it is nothing like as shiny as CW.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ejames]

I like the Paragon because it's easy to apply and will give a nice shine. I usually do a couple of coats,buffing each with a clean wheel. It's all I use on my smooth pipes. If I remember correctly it does have some carnauba in it.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I don't actually have a buffing station so it's impossible for me to say in practice, but it sounds like people just need to finish with a buffing wheel.

The amount of buffing you can possibly do by hand will always be many orders of magnitude less than what you can do with a machine.

 

[ejames]

It will shine pretty good when buffed with a Micro fiber cloth,just takes more elbow grease.

 

[samrvior]

The best scenario is to have a buffing station (1450 rpm, buffing wheels, tripoli, white diamond and carnauba bars) however if you don´t, like me.
here´s a viable option, I have been using Paragon (Smooth)and Halcyon II (Sandblasted and Rusticated) waxes, I got them a few years back from Iwan Ries (Chicago) and use an old hand drill which does not have enough power to drill anything, so I attached a Lamb Fur buffing wheels by 3M.
Does not require much money and/or efforts, Even with a little smear,cotton rags and elbow grease!
Pipes look awesome!

 

[sablebrush52]

I've been using both Paragon and Halcyon waxes for the past several years with excellent results. At first I wasn't impressed because the shine that I got using a soft cloth just wasn't glossy. Then I discovered, quite by accident, that rubbing the nearly set up paste with my hands, finger tips, palms, etc, produced a glass like finish. I suppose that it happens because the polish is being rubbed against itself, polishing polish.

I mentioned this here several years back and a member expressed skeptical interest and gave the method a try. He was surprised to find that it actually worked.

I've found that I get the best results when I use the smallest amount possible. Too much and the polish feels tacky. I usually just do one coat. Once in a while, I use two coats. It seems to hold up pretty well. I might renew the polish every 18 months to 2 years.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I am currently using a pillardrill (drillpress) with rouge - white diamond - carnauba wax with excellent results considering I have only had the setup a week or so. I am running mostly 4" wheels at 1900 RPM.
However I find that working on some bowls with acute bends are difficult to work the buffing wheels into so perhaps using paragon wax by hand might be an alternative solution.
My main reason for wanting a good sheen is to make my refurbed pipes more presentable for (local) sale though I am also buffing my 'keeper' pipes.
Thanks for your input chaps.
Regards,
Jay.