Ren Wax,is it as good as they claim?

[AndyD]

Hello Everyone,

I have used Ren Wax on my shell cases to prevent fingerprints transferring onto the brass when they are handled,but it doesn't work!

I followed all the instructions,but yet,whenever I handle one of my cases the fingerprints are there on the brass.

Am I doing something wrong,or is the product not all it's cracked up to be?

Kind regards,
Andy

[SwordFish]

As good as they say? I think it's more of a personal choice and based on what works best for your particular collectible. After a coat hass been applied, it creates a barrier between things like fingerprint acid and the plating on a dagger blade. Will you see fingerprints afer handeling it? Yes. Are they likely to do the damage as would be expected from regular print acid? No. However, its adviseable to wipe down whatever you've handled prior to putting it back.

A good 1 or 2 coats, will make it noticeabley easier to remove prints, dust, etc with nothing more than a soft cloth. So in short, I think it's the best product i've used. There are other companies that produce museum quality wax with microcrystalline ingredients, but as far as avilability and quality go, Renwax will probably be the best bet. It wont cure every little problem and it certainly will not make collectibles maintenance free. However, it will make cleaning much easier and reduce the effects of environmental issues like moisture in the air, fingerprints, scabbard runner oxidation and will also help trap moisture inside leather products, keeping them supple while fending off the red leather rot. It took me along time to find what products work best for me and my very varied collection. Trial and error combined with the advice of fellow and many long time collectors.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Andy, I have just bought some RenWax myself. I will try it on some of my shell cases. But I don't think it will replace the care needed when handling clean brass: ie white cotton gloves or a good wipe down afterwards.

Cheers, Ade.

[Stahlhelm]

I believe Ren-Wax is indeed "all it's cracked up to be." As far as the reason you're still seeing fingerprints, I agree with SwordFish's explanation for that. Of couse, since your fingers are still secreting oil, no matter what, you may still see fingerprint oil on the surface of the Ren-Wax coating. However again, the Ren-Wax is at least preventing the fingerprint oil from contacting and affecting the surface of your cases.

Like Adrian, I also agree that a good wipedown and/or wearing of cotton gloves is still a necessary precaution. I personally wear the gloves whenever I handle any of my collectibles anyway. I just typically just take all available precautions.

In general, I advise taking all precautions for the best results. In other words, since you can't stop your fingers from secreting oil, then also wear the gloves. Both are small investments of time and money with BIG positive results.

Chris

[SwordFish]

Something I should add, a cautionary not from personal experience. Do not use Renwax on items like sake cups or sake bottles with hand painted designs and kanji. Becuase the renwax has some sort of petroleum base, it will remove the find designs that are painted on the cups. This probably holds true for anything of similiar design.

[Stahlhelm]

Something I should add, a cautionary not from personal experience. Do not use Renwax on items like sake cups or sake bottles with hand painted designs and kanji. Becuase the renwax has some sort of petroleum base, it will remove the find designs that are painted on the cups. This probably holds true for anything of similiar design.

That's good to know.

Thanks

Chris