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How to un-wax micarta scales w/out sanding?

LightGuy

LightGuy

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
1,101
I would like to remove the wax from my new Fiddleback scales, but I really don't want to use sandpaper since it would change the texture somewhat. I really just want to take away the shininess and expose the micarta patterns.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
 
The wax comes off of most of my knife handles with dish soap, hot water, and a non-scratch scrubbing pad. It can take a couple times but usually within 2-3 washings I get it all off.

I discovered this by simply washing my knives after using them, and noticing the deterioration in the handle sheen and the increased visibility of the micarta's material structure. So there might be a more deliberate approach that works faster or easier.
 
I've not tried any of these teqhniques, but, there's always some media for scouring or removing or polishing. For example, there's a certain clay that removes the sheen from new baseballs, the umpires in Major League Baseball use it on every new ball.
I'm guessing that something like soft scrub, dirty hands, some type of car buffing wax, or a similar polish could do it. Certain polishes work on car's clear coats only when the speed of the buffer is fast enough to create heat, and move the clear coat. Yet, if you just rub it on by hand, it will "dull" the clear coat.
There's a way to do this, and I suspect CWL is correct with his hairdryer solution. Heating the wax will loosen it enough to be moved away.l Just be careful, don't overheat the epoxy in the micarta! Micarta can start to fall apart in dishwashers for example.
 
The hair dryer and paper towels will get rid of most of the wax. Paint thinner (mineral spirits) or naphtha will remove the residue and won't harm the micarta at all. Clean rags/paper towels are a must; keep turning them to unused areas so you aren't redepositing the wax.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! I tried the hair dryer method, but no luck. I think I was a little to nervous about overheating the knife, and didn't get the handle hot enough. Since I have some citrus cleaner on hand, I'll go ahead and give that a try next.

Thanks again!
 
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