Applying wax by hand?

D

DETAIL DR

New member
Is there any real plus to applying wax by hand?

I have seen Paul Dalton do it, however someone told me it's just a gimic! Bob
 
My hands scratch the finish when I tried this. :down The wax dried out my skin something crazy. :bawling:

A foam pad works so much better. :dance
 
well for some waxes like that zymol Mr. Dalton was using claims to activate the enzymes with the heat of your hand.



the hands on approach definitely gives more of a TLC effect
 
Well, a side by side comparison test on a horizontal panel should show any differences. Me? If any difference at all, I'd predict the pad would apply the wax more evenly.



Ya know, sometimes we tend to take this stuff to extremes...



Jim
 
DETAIL DUDE said:
Is there any real plus to applying wax by hand?

I have seen Paul Dalton do it, however someone told me it's just a gimic! Bob
Click to expand...



It's a gimmick for sure and has no science behind his claims of "heat activating an enzyme". Marketing pure and simple.
 
It's not a gimmick. I have dry hands and I have NEVER scratched a highly polished finish applying Z. The wax also looks absolutely amazing after applied. I actually notice that it doesn't dry my hands, it actually moisturizes them. If you haven't tried it yet, you owe it to yourself.





John
 
The question though is is there really any difference at all between applying buy hand or by applicator? Not does it look good if you use your hand. But rather does it actually truely seriously work... better? ;) if the answer is no (which I suspect) then yes it's truely just a gimmick. Just because it works dosen't make it not a gimmick.
 
Hey, guys.



You may want to try the latest method of application that I'm doing...It's pretty cutting edge, so the top pros on here may not even know about it.



Applying Megs APC by hand. I just pour some full strength APC in my hands and start applying. Use can also use Megs Super Degreaser...





:laugh:
 
EisenHulk said:
..........Applying Megs APC by hand. I just pour some full strength APC in my hands and start applying. Use can also use Megs Super Degreaser...





:laugh:
Click to expand...
Cutting edge there Casey, really cutting edge...... :lol



Back to the topic. I just got my hands on some Victoria's wax and the jar said to apply by hand or if desired you could use an applicator. It also said to buff off before drying. I did a section with a red pad on my PC, let it dry and it actually buffed off easier than right after application. I then did the whole car and it buffed off by hand like a dream....... I found my new favorite wax.



My point is even though the manufacturer in this case recommended hand application, doing it with a pad worked like a dream. I'd also say I used a lot less wax putting on thin coats with the PC vs using my hands.



I know some guys like to use their hands and that's cool, I can appreciate the reasons they do it that way, but for me I seem to save time and get good results using pads. Maybe the really expensive waxes make a difference with hand application so if anyone wants to send me a sample of Vintage, Royale, Atlantique, or SV Crystal Rock I promise to do an honest hand vs pad review.
 
Count me in as well. :D





Eliot Ness said:
Cutting edge there Casey, really cutting edge...... :lol



Back to the topic. I just got my hands on some Victoria's wax and the jar said to apply by hand or if desired you could use an applicator. It also said to buff off before drying. I did a section with a red pad on my PC, let it dry and it actually buffed off easier than right after application. I then did the whole car and it buffed off by hand like a dream....... I found my new favorite wax.



My point is even though the manufacturer in this case recommended hand application, doing it with a pad worked like a dream. I'd also say I used a lot less wax putting on thin coats with the PC vs using my hands.



I know some guys like to use their hands and that's cool, I can appreciate the reasons they do it that way, but for me I seem to save time and get good results using pads. Maybe the really expensive waxes make a difference with hand application so if anyone wants to send me a sample of Vintage, Royale, Atlantique, or SV Crystal Rock I promise to do an honest hand vs pad review.
Click to expand...
 
I apply all my estate glazes by hand including Vintage. I had the black zymol stuff and you have to use an applicator pad because of the color to apply it, and it looks very greasy. You have to actually spray hot water on the car and wipe with a microfiber to activate the enzyme. So I would personally have to say that it DOES work.







John
 
Well, I'm still waiting on someone to offer to sale a sample of Vintage to me...Enough to do a couple of cars to see what the craze is all about. So far, nothing....
 
I never heard of the heat "activating an enzyme" and I'd sure like somebody to explain exactly what that's all about :think: If anybody has an explanation, please feel free to get specific (don't dumb it down for my benefit ;) ).



What I *have* heard of is heat being required to melt the high-carnauba-content products enough that they soften up sufficiently as to not mar extra-soft paint. Of course, you could always just heat the applicator (and then *keep* it at the proper temp.).
 
Enzymes are a protein that is heat activated and can bond to a substrate "the car's paint". Basically the enzymes in Z wax are designed to bond to the paint, and when they cool down they are not supposed to de-activate or release.





John
 
Ok, so a stupid question then. If this is heat activated, what happens in extreme heat situations, say a black car on a hot sunny day in Texas in summer, paint temps reaching 155 plus. Heat will break down enzymes and proteins after a while. I'd think as they get that hot, you might have a bit of a problem with the bond degrading, and then no more wax?
 
This is true. Z is a show car wax, but doesn't offer the best durability. Polymers will offer much better durability. I also notice that Z will sometimes sweat a bit or turn a little greasy if a freshly waxed car has been sitting out in the sun.





John
 
That sounds right. Activating the enzyme is what makes the enzyme bond. If it cools and reheats repeatedly it could probably breakdown over time. I put Vintage on my car almost every time I wash it, so it always is protected, and looks great.





John
 
EisenHulk said:
Hey, guys.



You may want to try the latest method of application that I'm doing...It's pretty cutting edge, so the top pros on here may not even know about it.



Applying Megs APC by hand. I just pour some full strength APC in my hands and start applying. Use can also use Megs Super Degreaser...
Click to expand...





I'll have to try that. :D





For the hand application guys...do your hands bead water after you apply the product in this manner? Ya know, it's funny, but I got some Megs Hot Shine tire dressing on my hands and they beaded water when I stuck them under the sink.
 
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