Wax

[Steveskates]

Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could suggest a type/brand of wax that would be good for my B50. I’ve got the original hi-violet paint, and want to preserve it. I’ve been using Meguires Cleaner Wax, which is a typical paste type of wax in a can that comes with a sponge to apply it. Then you remove it once dried obviously with some soft microfiber or whatever. It dawned on me recently that this could be bad for the old paint. Anyway, any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
A quick disclaimer: I have had this bike around 10 years- have had many questions answered here on the forum- and I know very little about bikes or mechanics or wax in this case… sorry!

[eebtr7]

Well...it's kinda like this...Ya see, these 'cleaner' waxes have a bit of cleaning abrasive in them. On new, thicker paint, it's no big deal.

However, with our 50+ year old very thin BSA paint, the hi-violet will tend to hi-disappear onto your rag before you can say hi-yi-yi!

Given this gruesome truth, using a non-abrasive liquid wax will work out better. Case in point, I've got laying around a couple of old cans of Simonize Vista cleaner paste wax from the 1960's. This is the stuff Daddy would use on his 1962 Ford Falcon to shine up the dusty old paint. In doing so, he removed the top layer of the dead paint. Since Ford paint was pretty thick, it worked out well the first time or two. But, come the third, fourth, and successive times, grey primer began to surface. After that, all he would use was the cheap liquid Turtle Wax that was good for maybe a month or six weeks.

[Steveskates]

Thanks! I’m glad I asked! I’ll never use it again. Got any recommendations of a specific brand? Thanks again!

[BSA_WM20]

Nothing wrong with plain old turtle wax
Been around for decades
Does not damage the paint because the liquid wax is allowed to dry then you polish the wax not the paint when you buff off .

[Steveskates]

Thanks! I’ll give the original, liquid turtle wax a try! Thanks again!

[eebtr7]

Now...Back when Christ was a PFC and Hector was a pup, us punk kids didn't know no better, and our minimum wage job at the lumber yard meant we had to spread our spending very thin. As such, the cheapest wax on the shelves was Turtle wax. Being the cheapest we accepted the limited life span of the wax, particularly since here in the Big Enchilada, (San Antonio, Texas), the fierce summer sun bakes out the wax emoluments while opening up the pores in the wax and paint surfaces so the early morning dew can soak into the pores to accelerate the deterioration process. Sounds like fun, don't it?

Anyway, slathering on a half a bottle of Turtle wax was a frequent weekend activity back in the good ol' days. Now-a-days, silicones and other snake oils have been added to somewhat improve the old formulations but Turtle wax remains the low price winner on the waxes shelf at Walmart. Are there better and more expensive liquid waxes out there? You bet there is and which one is a better choice is up to you.

[Jeff K]

Do a web search for best or top rated auto wax. Meguiar's and New Finish have both been highly rated for years.
Jeff

[Steveskates]

Thanks y’all. I am going to grab some turtle wax. Seems safe! I was using meguiars, but I was worried about the “cleaner” title. I keep the bike in the garage when I’m not riding it once a week, so it doesn’t get too much exposure to the elements. Thanks again everyone!