The age old question... which wax do I choose?

https://www.pinballlife.com/blitz-carnauba-paste-wax-12-ounce-jar.html

OP
Quoted from Rayy:
2nd. Blitz Wax. From what I've read this is one of the favorites on here. Vid highly recommends it in his guides, it is somewhat spendy but not the most expensive option... 32 bucks for 12 oz jar.

I switched recently from Meguires Yellow Gold carnauba wax, and won't look back. Blitz works great for me.

LTG : )

#3 5 years ago

MJA

Mitch

Pinside member

Wellesley, ON

10y 131K 5,030 18 38

Quoted from LTG:
https://www.pinballlife.com/blitz-carnauba-paste-wax-12-ounce-jar.html
I switched recently from Meguires Yellow Gold carnauba wax, and won't look back. Blitz works great for me.
LTG : )

I second this blitz is the best

#4 5 years ago

BTO

brett

Pinside+ Frequent

Snohomish, WA

8y 103K 627 24 98

Quoted from LTG:
https://www.pinballlife.com/blitz-carnauba-paste-wax-12-ounce-jar.html
I switched recently from Meguires Yellow Gold carnauba wax, and won't look back. Blitz works great for me.
LTG : )

Ditto for me. Blitz is the best.

#5 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Blitz One Grande`

#6 5 years ago

MJH

TimeBandit

redshiftLED.com.au

Sydney, Oz

10y 159K 5,511 3 65

The age old answer..Blitz, baby.

#7 5 years ago

M-T

moto_cat

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 114K 1,334 2

Blitz 1K

#8 5 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,362 268 14

pasted_image (resized).png

#9 5 years ago

MCH

Pinkitten

Pinside+ Pro!

Williamston, MI

6y 136K 3,787 14 88

Why Blitz? I'm just curious to hear from those who trust it. I have only tried the Mequiar's Gold Carnuba so far. Works for me and doesn't smell like chemicals, ammonia or anything toxic. Does Blitz work better? Does it have an odor?

Thanks for the info.

#10 5 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from Pinkitten:
Why Blitz? I'm just curious to hear from those who trust it.

My experience so far it's very similar to use, but leaves a higher gloss finish when polished. Results look way better. Seems to last longer and not get dirty as fast, in commercial use. And I've found I can wipe it down with a new clean cloth, apply another coat of wax, and good to go. Meguire's I'd have to clean and then add more wax.

LTG : )

#11 5 years ago

JSD

t2

Pinside member

11y 52,900 648

Where can you find blitz wax?

#12 5 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from t2:
Where can you find blitz wax?

Pinballlife.com has it and applicator.

You could check other parts suppliers too.

LTG : )

#13 5 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

https://www.pinballlife.com/blitz-carnauba-paste-wax-12-ounce-jar.html

https://www.pinballlife.com/blitz-applicator-sponge.html

LTG : )

#14 5 years ago

MCH

Pinkitten

Pinside+ Pro!

Williamston, MI

6y 136K 3,787 14 88

Awesome, I’m going to try it. Thanks for the info and link!

#15 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from Pinkitten:
Why Blitz? I'm just curious to hear from those who trust it.

It lasts the longest of any wax I've used commercially.

It is nonflammable.

It is not full of stinky perfume trying to make it smell like bananas, cherries, or gasoline.

It's not full of dye making it bright yellow, turtle green, baby blue - it's just white.

It does not make dust after application.

The lid is really hard to open, so there is no way in hell your kids or wife can get into it.

One jar will last a person with a dozen games a decade.

#16 5 years ago

MBW

mbwalker

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 135K 5,325 9

OP
Quoted from Rayy:
S...My biggest concern is I don't know if it contains silicone. Maybe someone else has had some experience with this stuff in the past?...

I actually contacted some wax manufacturers (not big box store brands) about their carnauba waxes, and if their product contained silicone. Apparently, if it was truly carnauba and nothing else, it would be like a brick. Very hard and for all practical purposes, impossible to apply. So it is not uncommon that even w/carnauba, there will be additives (silicone) to make it pliable. While I learned something, I ended up being more frustrated in the end on what to use.

From wiki: "Although too brittle to be used by itself, carnauba wax is often combined with other waxes (principally beeswax) to treat and waterproof many leather products where it provides a high-gloss finish and increases leather's hardness and durability." Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnauba_wax

And from Meguiar's: "Carnauba wax is harder then concrete in natural forum must be softened with solvents." Link: https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?25310-The-MYTHS-of-Carnauba-wax

#17 5 years ago

DAD

jkleinnd

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 51,300 242

I know slightly sideways on the topic, but- for HUO collection- is there a good standard of waxing frequency for light play vs med monthly playing vs heavy?

#18 5 years ago

MAD

Thunderpants

Inactive member

12y 48,050 513 1

Are there any european dealers of the Blitz wax, or equivalent wax suitable for my playfield?

I'm really not a fan of paying import taxes.

Thanks

-2

#19 5 years ago

MJA

Mitch

Pinside member

Wellesley, ON

10y 131K 5,030 18 38

Quoted from jkleinnd:
I know slightly sideways on the topic, but- for HUO collection- is there a good standard of waxing frequency for light play vs med monthly playing vs heavy?

I only wax my pre dmd games. Games with a factory clearcoat dont need it in a home environment.

#20 5 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from jkleinnd:
is there a good standard of waxing frequency for light play vs med monthly playing vs heavy?

Wax it. See how fast it plays. When it slows to less than you like, add another coat of wax.

LTG : )

#21 5 years ago

DAD

jkleinnd

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 51,300 242

That makes sense. I just wish I could reliably judge that. I don't play games in my collection as consistently as I'd like.
Will wax (Blitz, for example) break down over time, regardless of play infrequency?

#22 5 years ago

MCH

Pinkitten

Pinside+ Pro!

Williamston, MI

6y 136K 3,787 14 88

I prefer to use wax to clean my playfields. It does help speed and shine, and it may help protect it over the years. I just prefer the mildness of wax to any cleaning product. I have a 10 pin collection and I wax them every 6 months or so. I just like doing it. But I’m going to try Blitz. Carnuba can leave dust or film when dry.

#23 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from jkleinnd:
is there a good standard of waxing frequency for light play vs med monthly playing vs heavy?

Drag your fingers over the playfield in front of the flippers and see if it still feels waxed.

You'll instantly know if you've worn off the wax.

#24 5 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,934 22 1

Wildcat #125, recommended by Bally.

#25 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from MrBally:
Wildcat #125, recommended by Bally.

It's less than 10% wax, 20% abrasives and 60% water.

We didn't even use it back in the day, lol

Wildcat msds.pdf

#26 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Quoted from vid1900:
It's less than 10% wax...

That's Less than 10% more than we all thought it had.

#27 5 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,934 22 1

Quoted from vid1900:
It's less than 10% wax, 20% abrasives and 60% water.
We didn't even use it back in the day, lol[quoted image]

You posted the Mill Wax MSDS, despite the file name saying Wildcat.

The route op I worked for between '79 & '85 did not use Mill Wax, but we bought lots of Wildcat 125. Usually two cartons of twelve 12 oz bottles with our monthly Wico or Great Amusement Emporium order. Plus a few of the larger bottles for use in the shop.

And yes, Wildcat 125 contains 0% wax. but it sure cleans and "polishes" those EM and early Solid State pin playfields....
msds-wildcat-125.pdf

#28 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

https://www.amazon.com/Zymol-Carbon-Wax-Applicator/dp/B000L50ZVI/ref=sr_1_1

Say what you want, but that goddamn wildcat just burned that dirt off right quick.

#29 5 years ago

BBB

oldskool1969

Pinside member

Gilligan's Island

10y 134K 3,652 12

I use both these. One for my board and the other for pinball. We need another surf pinball!

s-l300 (resized).jpg

sex-wax-orange-fade_600x (resized).jpg

#30 5 years ago

LEE

Pinside member

12y 43,400 783

Quoted from vid1900:
The lid is really hard to open, so there is no way in hell your kids or wife can get into it.

HA!
I was repairing some pins at a friends house and he had a brand new tub of Blitz that I opened.
Strained my hand so much doing so that it was sore for days afterwards.
I need to say that I work with my hands every single day and pride myself on having a good grip.
Glad that I'm not the only one who has experienced this!

#31 5 years ago

JMR

Rayy

Pinside member

Boise, ID

9y 20,000 7 11

Quoted from mbwalker:
I actually contacted some wax manufacturers (not big box store brands) about their carnauba waxes, and if their product contained silicone. Apparently, if it was truly carnauba and nothing else, it would be like a brick. Very hard and for all practical purposes, impossible to apply. So it is not uncommon that even w/carnauba, there will be additives (silicone) to make it pliable. While I learned something, I ended up being more frustrated in the end on what to use.
From wiki: "Although too brittle to be used by itself, carnauba wax is often combined with other waxes (principally beeswax) to treat and waterproof many leather products where it provides a high-gloss finish and increases leather's hardness and durability." Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnauba_wax
And from Meguiar's: "Carnauba wax is harder then concrete in natural forum must be softened with solvents." Link: https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?25310-The-MYTHS-of-Carnauba-wax

Yeah definitely pure carnauba is hard as rock. But there are lots of different additives you can use to soften up the wax. Silicone is one of them, and from what I understand if a wax has Silicone in it it can really cause problems if you ever go to clearcoat the playfield. So it's one of the ones I'm trying to stay away from.

Sounds like Blitz Wax is the way I'm gonna go then. Greatly appreciate all the replies.

As far as the wildcat wax goes I can't say I will ever trust the stuff. I've seen too many negative points on it. Also, I have a lightning and there are 2 large triangle inserts on the lower playfield. This machine used to be cleaned solely with wildcat 125. Those plastic triangle inserts have started to warp over the years. I'm not going to say 100% that it was the wildcat 125, but when I heard about it's disagreements with plastics I immediately assumed that was the cause of my triangle inserts warping. I have since changed to other cleaners/waxes and the warping seems to have stopped. I know there are some people who swear it is the best cleaner out there for pinballs. But why use something that your taking a risk with when you can use something else that you know will work just as well with no risk? And I had heard negatives about wildcat 125 well before I started looking at pinside. So can't blame anything on here for that.

#32 5 years ago

JMR

Rayy

Pinside member

Boise, ID

9y 20,000 7 11

My other concern with Wildcat... It's Bally recommended right? So is that possibly one of the reasons that so many of the early bally pinballs have such terrible playfields? I just know that I've seen a TON of bally machines in terrible shape. Honestly my Xenon playfield is shot (New CPR Playfield ready to go!) and I have an embryon that was shot when I got it. so many spots that were bare wood it wasn't even funny. So did wildcat have something to do with this? maybe? maybe not... but it sure if a bit of a coincidence.

#33 5 years ago

BYU

bayoubilly70

Pinside+ Frequent

Westminster, MA

11y 79,550 2,063 7

I use:

Zymol Carbon Wax

#34 5 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from Rayy:
My other concern with Wildcat... It's Bally recommended right? So is that possibly one of the reasons that so many of the early bally pinballs have such terrible playfields?

What year did Bally recommend this. And do they stand by their product if anything goes wrong.

It is possible we've learned to care for our playfields better since way back when.

When I was a kid it was Comet cleanser and water. Anyone still using that ?

LTG : )

#35 5 years ago

CRD

chad

Game Guy

11y 140K 15,202 9 4

Quoted from jkleinnd:
I know slightly sideways on the topic, but- for HUO collection- is there a good standard of waxing frequency for light play vs med monthly playing vs heavy?

One or 2 coats is all you need, otherwise you pull off the wax.

#36 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from LTG:
What year did Bally recommend this. And do they stand by their product if anything goes wrong.
It is possible we've learned to care for our playfields better since way back when.
When I was a kid it was Comet cleanser and water. Anyone still using that ?
LTG : )

Exactly.

Williams issued a Service Bulletin in 1980 telling people NOT to use those liquid **cleaners**

I posted a scan of it in the Playfield Cleaning and Waxing Guide

#37 5 years ago

PNM

shock_me

Pinside member

14y 71,800 2,490

Quoted from vid1900:
Exactly.
Williams issued a Service Bulletin in 1980 telling people NOT to use those liquid **cleaners**
I posted a scan of it in the Playfield Cleaning and Waxing Guide

Not calling you a liar Vid, and I don't use Wildcat but all my Bally manuals say this:

image (resized).jpeg

#38 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from shock_me:
Not calling you a liar Vid, and I don't use Wildcat but all my Bally manuals say this:[quoted image][quoted image]

Sure 40 years ago Bally & Williams said to use it.

But it got phased out and every operator got this service notice to not use any of those cleaners

You never saw it recommended again after that notice

31c8d5f14bff3e70a77e17fc1affca0922bbba0d (resized).png

#39 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.games.pinball/zy9A6_zIPJE

Quoted from vid1900:
Sure 40 years ago...

40, 30, 1980, 1989...

I'd stay away from numbers Vid.

#40 5 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

11y 158K 58,797

RGP thread from a few years back where the maker of Wildcat came on to defend his product and some of the naysayers said

"novus 2" is now the recommended cleaner of choice. Thought that was an abrasive polish myself.

#41 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

https://www.ipdb.org/files/1823/Bally_1978_Playboy_Manual.pdf

Quoted from TheLaw:
40, 30, 1980, 1989...
I'd stay away from numbers Vid.

I have Bally manuals from 40 years ago that absolutely recommend that stuff, like the Playboy manual from 1978

#42 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Quoted from vid1900:
I have Bally manuals from 40 years ago that absolutely recommend that stuff,

Yes we all understand that.

#43 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from TheLaw:
Yes we all understand that.

Excellent. Cause it seemed like there was confusion, lol

Quoted from TheLaw:
40, 30, 1980, 1989...

I'd stay away from numbers Vid.

#44 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Yes, I think you are confused.

Quoted from vid1900:
Exactly.
Williams issued a Service Bulletin in 1980 telling people NOT to use those liquid **cleaners**

You then posted something from 1989, then followed it up with letting us know they used to say to use Wildcat, which we already knewm.

#45 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from TheLaw:
Yes, I think you are confused.

Sounds like a bunch of double-talk to me, lol

#46 5 years ago

JMR

Rayy

Pinside member

Boise, ID

9y 20,000 7 11

Well I was trying to keep this from becoming an argumentative question by stating that I was only interested in the 4 waxes I had posted haha. Obviously that didn't work out. Yes Bally used to recommend wildcat. Yes Williams has suggested to not use "liquid cleaners due to mylar issues". Were they talking directly about wildcat? I think so. Is there proof? probably not. But with that being said, once again why use something that poses a risk to your plastic pieces when you can use other cleaners/waxes that pose almost 0 risk to anything on your playfield. I'd rather stay safe...

#47 5 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member