Wax on natural flat finish Ibanez BTB675?

[JayfromDeeKay]

Hi, guys,

I'm changing strings on my Ibby BTB 675, and thought I would treat the body with something while I have the strings off, but I'm unsure whether this is needed with the Ibanez finish; is it like a Warwick, that needs waxing/oiling? Ibanez calls it a Natural Flat Finish, but I'm not sure what that means.

There is a bit of white stuff stuck in the deep pores of the wood, which might indicate that Ibanez used some kind of polish on it at the factory.

Would it do any harm to use bees wax on it? Cream of carnauba? Lemon oil?

Will it harm the bass over time to not treat it? (like drying out)

Here's a pic of the finish:

[JayfromDeeKay]

Anybody?

[Pilgrim]

There no rush at all. That bass could go years without needing anything - it's not going to "dry out". Surface treatments are mostly to prevent soiling or damage from handling - and that's not anything urgent. Check the Ibanez website and see if they have any recommendations for your specific model; I'm not familiar with Ibby, but some manufacturers do make recommendations for models which aren't poly or lacquer finished.

[darkstorm]

Id wax it. With something like warwick paste wax(tin) or creme(bottle) car wax. You could get by with regular nicer furniture spray on. Ive used turtle creme car wax on satin, thru poly finish regularly for couple decades after such type car waxes where on the reccomended list by lots guitar mfg's. This does give satin finish a slightly darker and semi gloss without being glossy, look. After a couple times polishing.

The waxing helps protect the wood from sweat etc. Something satin finishes like warwicks minimalist finish, dont do nearly as well untill wax protected. It also helps cut down on them blotchy shiny spots frequent arm rubbing against etc on satin finishes can cause over time. So your instrument maintains a more even look over the whole body of the instrument. Instead of haveing them dull then shiny areas they otherwise ussually get.

[JumboJack]

Howards Feed n Wax might be a good choice.

[Rocky McD]

Call the manufacturer's customer support and find out if it is a Satin Poly or an Oil finish. These two finishes are treated entirely differently. Oil finishes need to be rejuvinated occasionally to prevent the wood from drying. Poly finishes just need cleaning and polishing.
Rocky

[PersonalTraynor]

It is a clear satin finish on the body and headstock, and a semi gloss finish on the back of the neck. Therefore it needs no treatment.

I have the same model, and sanded my fretboard then applied tung oil, which looks great! but the body should not be messed with. if you want, you could sand the body down and appy tung oil or caranuba wax, but I wouldn't....

[JayfromDeeKay]

PersonalTraynor: Thanks for the info, good to know. BTW, If you have the time, I would love to see a photo of that tung-oiled fretboard!

Pilgrim: Thanks, nice to know there's nothing to worry about. I guess I'm a bit OCD when it comes to instruments, as I grew up with a dad who meticulously maintained his classical guitars.

Thanks for the recommendations on waxes, guys. I kind of like taking care of my guitars, and I have a no-finish superstrat that I wax with beeswax once a year or so, which makes the wood look really great. Haven't tried other products, but might give them a try in the future on other guitars.

I also have a nitro-finished strat, that I haven't yet dared do anything to out of fear of somehow ruining the finish, lol.