Waxing?
02-14-18 | 02:15 PM
#1
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From: Iowa
Bikes: COLNAGO! Litespeed, Motobecane, Peugeot, Gitane, Fuji, Nishiki, Centurion, Panasonic, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Bianchi, Winsor
Waxing?
I see a lot of mention of waxing frames. What is the purpose other than the fondling? I understand wax shines and protects, is that it? The paint on my frames serves that same purpose. I don't even wax my car!
02-14-18 | 02:28 PM
#2
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From: Los Angeles
Bikes: 78 Masi Criterium, 68 PX10, 2016 Mercian King of Mercia, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr
Wax makes it easier to clean the dust off. Road grime doesn't stick to it as much. Adds a bit of extra protection too.
Let's not forget the important stuff: wax makes bike shiny.
Let's not forget the important stuff: wax makes bike shiny.
02-14-18 | 02:30 PM
#3
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From: Norman, Oklahoma
Bikes: Too many to list
Your car's paint will thank you if you do wax it occasionally
02-14-18 | 02:51 PM
#4
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Yep, makes it purdy, and easier to clean. I have one wet paint job bike that gets torn down annually, cleaned, waxed, and rebuilt.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-14-18 | 03:03 PM
#5
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From: San Marcos, CA
Bikes: Too many, but sometimes not enough.
Paint is actually slightly porous. If you don't wax it from time to time, water can get in, and cause rusting under the paint. Wax serves to help fill and plug any microscopic holes, as well as slow down oxidation and uv damage. (Most auto waxes have uv inhibitors.)
Necessary? No, but it's a good idea for a bike you care about, especially if it sees much water.
Necessary? No, but it's a good idea for a bike you care about, especially if it sees much water.
02-14-18 | 03:13 PM
#6
aka Tom Reingold
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I use furniture wax from a spray can. It's not the toughest wax at all, but it's really easy to use. I usually don't even have to wash, because it helps me wash the bike.
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-14-18 | 03:26 PM
#7
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From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
Aside from the protective benefits, even a "clean" bike will look even better with a coat of wax. With age, the paint gets covered with tiny scratches that make it look dull. Wax fills the scratches and makes the finish pop.
02-14-18 | 03:35 PM
#8
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From: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
About once a year when I do a complete tear down, I'll polish and wax any part that looks like it would benefit from it. Two or three coats of carnuba is not out of the ordinary. Throughout the year I'll touch it up with a spray detailer wax after a wash. Personally I enjoy riding a clean, good looking, well maintained bike. I also enjoy the compliments I get.
02-14-18 | 03:54 PM
#9
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From: Tacoma, WA
Bikes: 1962 Schwinn Paramount P12, 1971 Schwinn Paramount P13-9
Plain auto-type wax is a protectant. It protects from contaminants and water, and usually has a UV blocker. You can see plenty of older cars around that are never waxed that have failing clearcoat due to UV degradation.
It will not shine your bike to any large extent (you can wax matte paint and it will still be matte), that is the job of polish although cleaner waxes have polish and wax combined.
It will not shine your bike to any large extent (you can wax matte paint and it will still be matte), that is the job of polish although cleaner waxes have polish and wax combined.
Last edited by Kactus; 02-14-18 at 03:58 PM.
02-14-18 | 05:51 PM
#11
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From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
As someone who sweats a lot, I frequently wax my bikes. Sometimes I'll just give a quick application to the top tube & cable guides before a long, hot ride. I try to avoid the all-in-one polish & wax or wash & wax products since those can rub away some paint.
02-14-18 | 07:30 PM
#12
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Bikes: 1973 Raleigh Competition, 2010 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen, 2010's Bike Friday Pocket Companion
IF I polish, I use either a pure carnuba or a furniture polish. Many auto auto polishes have very fine abrasives. I have one bike where the painted line work has been damaged by such polishes. Be cautious.
02-14-18 | 08:10 PM
#13
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
It probably wouldn't work for me. There's no hope. Buy hey, my wife loves me.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-14-18 | 09:40 PM
#16
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From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Waxing? Usually my fendered bikes, in the fall. The weason for that is I'm often widing when it's waning.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 02-14-18 at 09:57 PM.
02-14-18 | 11:07 PM
#17
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From: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
I know how you feel. But if the world was made of just people like me (us?).... it would be a world of red and yellow road bikes. Although they would all be [spotlessly] clean, shiny, and well maintained... it would still be a bit boring.
02-14-18 | 11:17 PM
#18
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From: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Bikes: 1987 Woodrup Competition - 2025 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gen 3 - 1987 Lotus Legend - 2024 Trek Emonda ALR Rim Brake - 1980 Trek 510 - 1988 Cannondale SR500 - 1985 Trek 670 - 1982 Trek 730
Your question made me wonder..... Wouldn't that be enough?
I know how you feel. But if the world was made of just people like me (us?).... it would be a world of red and yellow road bikes. Although they would all be [spotlessly] clean, shiny, and well maintained... it would still be a bit boring.
I know how you feel. But if the world was made of just people like me (us?).... it would be a world of red and yellow road bikes. Although they would all be [spotlessly] clean, shiny, and well maintained... it would still be a bit boring.
02-14-18 | 11:26 PM
#19
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From: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
I donate to the local co-op. And i always try to keep a wall-hanger in my man-cave (currently a shiny yellow steel Trek). So even on a cold winters night I can still hang with a nice clean and pretty bike. Although... I do feel bad that I don't get that Trek out on the road so much.
02-15-18 | 02:34 AM
#20
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Hampshire, UK
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've also read that it's a good idea to wax chrome plated parts as well.
Chrome isn't a 100% solid surface at the microscopic level and the wax provides a protective layer, to seal out moisture and weathering.
(Just don't apply it to the braking surfaces on your steel rims!)
Chrome isn't a 100% solid surface at the microscopic level and the wax provides a protective layer, to seal out moisture and weathering.
(Just don't apply it to the braking surfaces on your steel rims!)
02-15-18 | 07:36 AM
#21
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From: Iowa
Bikes: COLNAGO! Litespeed, Motobecane, Peugeot, Gitane, Fuji, Nishiki, Centurion, Panasonic, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Bianchi, Winsor
I think I'm glad I asked. It's a mixed feeling BUT I'm convinced enough to try it. What else have I got to do??
PS I don't think my car will get fondled though....
PS I don't think my car will get fondled though....
02-15-18 | 07:40 AM
#22
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From: Hotel CA / DFW
Bikes: 80s Colnago Super/NMx, 50th Daccordi, Pinarello's, Guerciotti's, Masi NS, 90s DB/GT Mtn Bikes, 90s Colnago Master, 96 Serotta Colorado TG, 95/05 Colnago C40/C50, 06 LS TI, 08 Lemond Filmore FG SS, 12 Cervelo R3, 20/15 Surly Stragler & Steamroller
02-15-18 | 09:38 AM
#23
Patina Avoider
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From: Maryland, USA
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Vitus
I even wax my lawn tractor; I want things to last.
For cars I usually use Meguiar's Gold Class although on the Boxster I'm trying this Zaino stuff. If it works out well, I might use it on the bikes.
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 198? Vitus 979. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 198? Vitus 979. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
02-15-18 | 09:40 AM
#24
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From: Iowa
Bikes: COLNAGO! Litespeed, Motobecane, Peugeot, Gitane, Fuji, Nishiki, Centurion, Panasonic, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Bianchi, Winsor
I sell Mother's products and I usually buy what I sell at cost. They have various wax options.
