Renaissance Wax: My Review

GuitarmanNick

GuitarmanNick

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I try to keep the toys in my arsenal looking as nice as possible and only a couple are what some call, "safe queens". Since they are rarely stripped and cleaned, I was looking for something that would offer better long term protection than an occasional wipe down with oil.

After reading a lot of good reviews on Renaissance Wax and seeing claims that it was developed for use in museums, I decided to give it a try.

First thing I should say is that it is relatively expensive but a little goes a long way. I got the 200ml jar and can say that it is more than I will likely ever use. The 85ml jar will be more than ample for most gun owners. The product can be used on lots of materials and leaves a protective coating.

Some complain about the strong smell. It reminds me of shoe polish and brings back memories of spit-shining boots in the barracks in the old days. It does not bother me, but you may want to use it in a ventilated area if anyone in the home is sensitive to odors.

I started by using it on some of my handguns and the results were noticeable. My S&W snubby looks better than ever and even those toys with lower quality blueing came out looking great.

Next I disassembled my SKS and applied the RW. After buffing and reassembly, I could not be more pleased.

I have used it on wood grips, some magazine exteriors, and my black powder revolvers. There are still some long guns that will be getting the treatment in the coming days, too.

Overall, I would recommend this product. I have no connection to the manufacturer, distributor, or sellers of this product. Just sharing my experience with like minded individuals.
 
Funny... I bought some a long time ago... And I've never even tried it!

So, now I've gotta find it! LOL!
 
GuitarmanNick said:
I try to keep the toys in my arsenal looking as nice as possible and only a couple are what some call, "safe queens". Since they are rarely stripped and cleaned, I was looking for something that would offer better long term protection than an occasional wipe down with oil.

After reading a lot of good reviews on Renaissance Wax and seeing claims that it was developed for use in museums, I decided to give it a try.

First thing I should say is that it is relatively expensive but a little goes a long way. I got the 200ml jar and can say that it is more than I will likely ever use. The 85ml jar will be more than ample for most gun owners. The product can be used on lots of materials and leaves a protective coating.

Some complain about the strong smell. It reminds me of shoe polish and brings back memories of spit-shining boots in the barracks in the old days. It does not bother me, but you may want to use it in a ventilated area if anyone in the home is sensitive to odors.

I started by using it on some of my handguns and the results were noticeable. My S&W snubby looks better than ever and even those toys with lower quality blueing came out looking great.

Next I disassembled my SKS and applied the RW. After buffing and reassembly, I could not be more pleased.

I have used it on wood grips, some magazine exteriors, and my black powder revolvers. There are still some long guns that will be getting the treatment in the coming days, too.

Overall, I would recommend this product. I have no connection to the manufacturer, distributor, or sellers of this product. Just sharing my experience with like minded individuals.
Click to expand...
It is great wax. I use it on leather and my knives, among other things. It's very good for protecting Damascus blades.
 
Bringing-up this dormant thread. hehe.

At the urging of our friend at the aforementioned LGS in another thread, I tried this product on my recently acquired Marlin 1894 as I was asking what I should use on the satin stock that has some gorgeous figuring. There as no information for care of it in the manual, and I had no idea what finish composition they used.

As the Renn wax was formulated for/by British Museums and applicable for many different surfaces- silver, bluing, wood, leather, etc I had a "DOH!" moment and gave it a try.

What a shocking outcome. Though the results were subtle in their elegance, they were not small or un-noticeable. The bluing came alive, as if it's electric. I kid you not, there is an amazing sheen there that's impressive. The stock... is gorgeous. Still a satin, but much richer.

Then came a few sidearms- the old Colt .38 from my wife's Grandad who passed years ago, the S&W Model 36 that I recently was given, and. another pistol. Also, my SA-35, which is a satin blue. All are gorgeous.
Even the satin finish on the SA-35, it did NOT polish the satin, nor did I apply it with firm pressure, but it DID make its blue-black satin bluing more RICH and deeper looking.

Nice to know that there's not only a perceivable improvement to aesthetics, but also the protection of a wax.

I put this on a Benchmade Triage folder's blade.

All in all, I love this stuff. The only caveat is what Guitarman Nick stated- the smell. It truly reminds me of Kiwi Shoe polish in the 70's....smells virtually identical. Not hugely powerful, but my wife did comment in distaste when I was siting at the kitchen table with a sidearm in my lap going-at it with the wax and she was trying to eat. She moved to the island bar stool, and I took my project out of the kitchen. cackle.

Next will be the 1301. And 629. I'm a believer. Completely.

IMG_2633.jpeg
 
Last edited:
One Ping Only said:
Bringing-up this dormant thread. hehe.

At the urging of our friend at the aforementioned LGS in another thread, I tried this product on my recently acquired Marlin 1894 as I was asking what I should use on the satin stock that has some gorgeous figuring. There as no information for care of it in the manual, and I had no idea what finish composition they used.

As the Renn wax was formulated for/by British Museums and applicable for many different surfaces- silver, bluing, wood, leather, etc I had a "DOH!" moment and gave it a try.

What a shocking outcome. Though the results were subtle in their elegance, they were not small or un-noticeable. The bluing came alive, as if it's electric. I kid you not, there is an amazing sheen there that's impressive. The stock... is gorgeous. Still a satin, but much richer.

Then came a few sidearms- the old Colt .38 from my wife's Grandad who passed years ago, the S&W Model 36 that I recently was given, and. another pistol. Also, my SA-35, which is a satin blue. All are gorgeous.
Even the satin finish on the SA-35, it did NOT polish the satin, nor did I apply it with firm pressure, but it DID make its blue-black satin bluing more RICH and deeper looking.

Nice to know that there's not only a perceivable improvement to aesthetics, but also the protection of a wax.

I put this on a Benchmade Triage folder's blade.

All in all, I love this stuff. The only caveat is what Guitarman Nick stated- the smell. It truly reminds me of Kiwi Shoe polish in the 70's....smells virtually identical. Not hugely powerful, but my wife did comment in distaste when I was siting at the kitchen table with a sidearm in my lap going-at it with the wax and she was trying to eat. She moved to the island bar stool, and I took my project out of the kitchen. cackle.

Next will be the 1301. And 629. I'm a believer. Completely.
Click to expand...

I think I bought some years ago without ever trying it. It would probably go well on this piece:

Browning BL-22-0043.JPG
 
Absolutely stunning wood!! Exceptional flame figuring. Mine isn't that figured (std factory issue), but I'm guessing your stock may be aftermarket upscale wood?
 
That's special. Wood is so amazing in its grain and different figuring. Part of unlocking those beautiful tidbits is in how it's cut, but also the special surprises within each piece.

My 1984 has more of what we in the guitar community would call "peek-a-boo" figuring- where there is movement in what angle you look at it and from what angle the light hit it. More subtle with only hints of goodness, and then angle the wood in the light and BAM there it is, and go a little further and it disappears. I'll try and capture mine (with my wife's help) in some good outdoor light when we have it again, but it's nothing overt as yours is just directly stunning. She did a great job Ian picking that one for you!

When I handled the one I bought at the LGS, and saw the wood, I immediately asked the salesman to 'write it up, please'. Those treasures don't happen often....unless they are spec'd and you pay quite e premium- like those gorgeous limited edition S&W lever actions available for the price of a kidney....hehe.
Thanks for sharing that treasure!
 
One Ping Only said:
That's special. Wood is so amazing in its grain and different figuring. Part of unlocking those beautiful tidbits is in how it's cut, but also the special surprises within each piece.

My 1984 has more of what we in the guitar community would call "peek-a-boo" figuring- where there is movement in what angle you look at it and from what angle the light hit it. More subtle with only hints of goodness, and then angle the wood in the light and BAM there it is, and go a little further and it disappears. I'll try and capture mine (with my wife's help) in some good outdoor light when we have it again, but it's nothing overt as yours is just directly stunning. She did a great job Ian picking that one for you!

When I handled the one I bought at the LGS, and saw the wood, I immediately asked the salesman to 'write it up, please'. Those treasures don't happen often....unless they are spec'd and you pay quite e premium- like those gorgeous limited edition S&W lever actions available for the price of a kidney....hehe.
Thanks for sharing that treasure!
Click to expand...

I think that effect in wood is also called "chattoyance."

commercialforestproducts.com

CHATOYANCY - What Is Chatoyance In Figured Wood?2025

Chatoyance or cat's eye effect is an optical reflectance effect seen in certain figured woods such as Koa, Maple, and Mahogany.
commercialforestproducts.com commercialforestproducts.com
 
Racer88 said:
I think that effect in wood is also called "chattoyance."

commercialforestproducts.com

CHATOYANCY - What Is Chatoyance In Figured Wood?2025

Chatoyance or cat's eye effect is an optical reflectance effect seen in certain figured woods such as Koa, Maple, and Mahogany.
commercialforestproducts.com commercialforestproducts.com
Click to expand...
It is. But I didn't want to extend my pinky when I said it. hehe

In the guitar community they just usually call it "movement". But that IS the correct term.
 

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