Wax as a guitar finish

[rienk]

I would love to hear feedback on the topic of using Wax as a finish.
We have handmade furniture throughout our house, and the builder used Briwax for the finish, and recommends it for upkeep. I am interested in knowing if this is an acceptable way of finishing guitars?
What are the pros and cons?

[tippie53]

wax is not a finish and many have tried thinking it will work . Wax is more of a protectant. Wood will absorb moisture and oils , wax is hygroscopic and lets water through . This is detrimental for the guitar. You need a moisture , oil barrier. Shellac was one of the earliest finishes used and still used today. Lacquers were better , now we have a full array of finish films available.
I will always be a Nitro guy because of the finishes ability to be so easily repaired. UV , Catalized varnishes. Shellac is also repairable.
Unfinished guitars do not hold up well . I had the same idea and after less than a year the guitar sound horrible and the wood was so contaminated it was not salvageable. A good finish will require a good bit of work , but it is worth it. It will protect the time investment , and make the guitar look finished. Building a guitar is about the engineering , Physics and art.
The art of fit and finish is by far the hardest part of building.

[B. Howard]

Way back when I was trying to build electrics my partner who came from a furniture making background suggested this type of a finish. We tried it on two guitars. What a mistake! It felt tacky as you played, it would wear away quite easily. And what was the worst was that it contaminated the wood so no other finish could be applied. My sincere advice is do not do it.