Hi Pinball experts.

Please take a look at this picture.

I know that the Mothers is great for pinball playfields.  It is a bit expensive (about $22 for the volume) but then again will last for like endless applications for playfields (and I can use it on my car).  Sold at Canadian Tire.  It smells good - like that bubble gum that used to be put in Hockey Card packets.  So easy to buff off once dry.

Minwax is a product which I got at Home Depot (about $9.50 only and is a bigger quantity).  It smells like average Shoe Polish.  It gets really hard to remove once really dry (especially if it sits a lot more than the 10 minutes instructions say).  I have always heard that the harder it is to scrub off once dry, the better it took to the clearcoat.  Does any one else use this type of Minwax?  Could it be bad for the playfield?

If you use any other brand and have a picture of the product (or store that one can purchase it), please let me know.

Thanks.

I've never used Minwax so I cannot comment on how well it works or if it can cause damage.

However I have always used Mothers Carnauba and have no complaints...
It's simple to apply,  buffs off easy and seems to last quite well.

As far as the extra cost; I feel it's offset by the fact that I can also use it to wax my bike .

Good luck with your search.
Adam

I've recently purchased "Mother's Carnauba Cleaning Wax" for playfield waxing. There is a polishing aspect to this stuff that claims to give the finish a "wet look". It's about half the price of the regular carnauba and I had intended to use it on a couple of older (i.e. non-diamondplate) playfields. I wasn't really sure about this stuff when I got it, and I haven't used it yet, so if someone can tell me if I'm gonna make a big mistake in using it, I'd appreciate it.

I use Diamond Bright Playfield Cleaner/Polish and Kit Carnauba Wax.

http://www.aros.net/~rayj/action/partsgen.htm

you see that skull on the millwax?

need we say more?

I have been using the Mother's since Day 1. Easy on, easy off, looks great, and makes you want to lick the playfield once done due to the fact it smells SOOOOO good!

Homer: MMMmmmmm.... carnauba wax...  arrrgghhrrgghrrgurglerrhhh!

Mrhide, well, that skull is there (on minwax not millwax - different product) but it is used on furniture like tables and stuff so I doubt it is that toxic unless you eat it.  Doesn't have the Hand bones symbol so it doesn't really damage skin while applying it.

I guess Mothers car wax it is (yes, man does it smell good - makes you want to wax so often; as hard and tedious as it is)....

Quoted from Moonlit_Knight

Homer: MMMmmmmm.... carnauba wax...  arrrgghhrrgghrrgurglerrhhh!

Well that explains alot.

Always remember to read the warnings lables boys & girls.

Not only is Mothers carnauba wax combustible, it's also harmful or fatal if swallowed.

Adam

Quoted from edelgiud

Mrhide, well, that skull is there (on minwax not millwax - different product) but it is used on furniture like tables and stuff so I doubt it is that toxic unless you eat it.  

If you want the official consumer symbols explanation check out this link.
http://www.brocku.ca/oehs/safety/whmis_consumer.pdf#search='consumer%20warning%20symbols'

The symbol shown on the minwax can is defined as follows:

DEGREE OF HAZARD: DANGER
SEVERE HAZARD
IMMEDIATE HARM

TYPE OF HAZARD: POISON
- Potentially fatal if inhaled or swallowed.
- May have serious long term health effects.
- Wear gloves / face mask.
- Wash after using.

It's truely scary what items are sold to the general public.
Adam

Don't forget the following... Furniture is varnished... older playfields are LACQUERED... not the same thing.

I would try it on a scrap playfield first to see the result.

I won't keep on using this one since Mothers seems the best choice.

But for waxing a few playfields a year, I don't think it will degrade my health (compared to say food you put in your microwave oven, the cel phone that gives us brain radiation, etc).

Thanks for the page on the symbols, good to review those.

Man, Severe Hazard furniture wax.  Well, I believe some stain's & varnishes have similar hazard warnings....

Thanks guys.

Sparky, just FYI, I have used it for 1 year or so on DMD 1990s type machines and it has done an amazing job (playfield looks shiny as it ever did, etc.).

DMD 90's machines are usually DiamondPlate... which is a varnish. I meant older playfields like pre-1990, which are not clearcoated or Diamondplated.

sounds like people need to learn whimis and learn howto read msds sheets