How to tell if M16 is still good

[Mayur]

So I had a can of M16 that I bought many years ago and never used. I found it today and found out my brother opened it 5 yrs ago and I saw that the lid wasn't properly seated all the way around. It was up only a smidge, how can I tell if the wax is still good or not?

[davey g-force]

Re: How to tell if M16 is still good

Does it look ok / normal?

[Mayur]

Re: How to tell if M16 is still good

I don't know what it normally looks like. Still looks pasty, smells like crayons, and when I touch it, where i left my finger, it turns wet/oily?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How to tell if M16 is still good

Paste waxes tend to be very long lived in the can. The biggest risk is of it drying out completely, in which case it would be more of a crumbled mess in the can. If it's still firm in the can and smells like crayons then we wouldn't hesitate for a second to use it. Just apply it super thin - M16 is an old school heavy carnauba and can be quite difficult to remove if applied heavy and allowed to dry for a long period of time. But a thin coat should come off without too much struggle.

[Mayur]

Re: How to tell if M16 is still good

Thank you, I did see tips on how to apply M16 with a 4" DA pad, but any tips on how to pick up M16 onto a 6.5" pad?

[davey g-force]

Re: How to tell if M16 is still good

A spatula or butter knife is often used for that.