Waxing your guitar/bass

[SamJ]

Sorry if this sounds like a commercial for Zaino, but I just can't contain my excitement, and wanted to share it with the members here at TB.

I've just spoken to Sal Zaino, of Zaino brothers, a maker of automotive sealers that are intended to work like a Wax, but have superior properties. I've used Zaino on my cars for a few years now with great results, long life, great shine (as good as Carnuba), and easy to apply.. but I didn't apply it to my Nitro finished guitars until now.

I was concerned that the wax (which Zaino really isn't, it's a synthetic polymer) would seal off the air to the finish and prevent it from breathing.. Well, after talking to Sal, who owns 40+ guitars over the phone, and learning that he's been using it for years on some of his rare and classic Nitro finished guitar I took the plunge.

Turns out Zaino's Z-2 and Z-5pro are not airtight, but more like a micro "Chain link fence" that protects while letting the lacquer breath..
This is critical of any wax used on a Nitro finish, as it's always nitro is always in a state of drying, and if it's chocked off, it could yellow or run.

I applied three layers of Z-2 to my Martin D42, Taylor GS and my Fender basses (both the Nitro CS, and the Poly RB IV) and they are all now very shiny and feel like absolute silk to the touch The finish feels 100% nicer to the touch and is also now protected by a wear and tare layer that heretofore was not there.

He (Sal Zaino) said you can layer it with no harm (wax buildup) and so I plan to do a couple of more layers later. I'll then use their Z-6 for upkeep.

This should prolong the beauty of my finish, and at the same time give me a way to polish it when needed.

just wanted to share, and get anyone else experience and comments..

BTW.. if you're going to use any wax or polish on your guitar, but especially nitro finished guitar, by all means! MAKE SURE IT HAS NO SILICONE in it!

cheers

[spudmaster34]

it is always such a good feeling when you find a product you really like, wheather it is strings, or a case, or wax. thanks for the tip

[BaldBass]

If it's good enough for #1 it'll be good enough for #30 Thanks Sam

[Philbiker]

My Peavey Dyna-Bass said in the manual to use car wax to polish and clean it. That was 87-88. But that bass had a heavy modern paint polymer. I think using wax is an old tried and true technique. Nice to find something specifically set up to work on older nitro finished guitars.

[bobbykokinos]

I've always used Tropicare (which is much like Zaino) on my basses.. I especially love it on my Modulus.. Makes the back of the neck like GLASS and dont have to worry about it effecting wood or anything.. I've even used the scratch remover to remove alot of the small "slap scratches" that appear on the body up by the neck.

[CamMcIntyre]

I might have to look into this Zaino stuff. In the past for my Ray5's fingerboard & neck i've used Minwax [yeah-i know blasphemy] & received nice results. I've always just used birchwood casey gunstock & after that let that do it's thing, wax it. However, this Zaino sounds like it's a couple hundred levels higher up on the quality level.

take it easy.

[steveb98]

I got the Sadowsky kit of Restoration cleaner and polish and Everyday polish and works good on all my instruments.

[SamJ]

I suggest you guys google Zaino, and get their contact info, call Sal Zaino... he's very open to chatting, and ask him to explain it. I was sold on the idea that it allows the finish to "Breath" as with nitro this is critical.. it must continue to dry (even if it takes it 10 years!)..

The only drawback, is when/if you go to do a repair or re-finish on the nitro, you MUST remove/strip all of the Zaino, even if it means going down to the wood.. it's just too bullet proof to do a repair over, as nothing will stick to it.

Again, both my Martin and Jazz with Nitro have been done with it, as has my Taylor and RBIV which are Poly and they're silk smooth, and protected from topical wear and tare.. (not to be confused with nicks and scratches!).