Best Hand-Applied Wax (literally using my hands)

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dmw16

New member
Someone suggested that when I wax my new bike that I apply the wax using my hands. I had typically used P21S on my cars, but I am wondering if there are waxes you guys suggest specifically for hand application?



Thanks.
 
Thanks. Since the bike is brand new, then maybe I should go w/ the yellow.



The instructions on the site are very confusing. So I let dry, then buff, then buff again before I apply the next coat?
 
my hands dry out so much it would be hard to apply any way by hand! i would almost think this would induce marring. i seen paul daulton do it, but ill let it at that!
 
dmw16 said:
Someone suggested that when I wax my new bike that I apply the wax using my hands. I had typically used P21S on my cars, but I am wondering if there are waxes you guys suggest specifically for hand application?



Thanks.
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You could try Swissvax
 
I would think you'd waste a lot of it. With stuff like RBOE or other products, if you don't get that thin coat. It is a pain in the a** to remove.
 
dmw16 said:
Thanks. Since the bike is brand new, then maybe I should go w/ the yellow.



The instructions on the site are very confusing. So I let dry, then buff, then buff again before I apply the next coat?
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The Victorias are perfect (in fact, intended for) hand application. The instructions may be confusing for a wax newbie but we'll try to set things straight, OK?



Hand application is an old fashioned way to apply waxes. The warmth of the palms helps to melt the wax and make it more workable, spreadable. Victoria's formulas contain only cosmetic grade ingredients, so it's perfectly safe to apply them with bare hands. They are perfectly suitable for applicators, or even machine application, but there is a certain *noble style* in the bare hand application.



To do that perfectly, take out a pea sized amount of wax from the jar. Use one of your fingernails to scrape the wax out. Don't make a hook and pull your finger towards you, because the wax will stick under your nail. Use the top of the nail, pushing your finger away from you and scrape like that.



Melt the wax between your palms by rubbing them together quickly, and when you palms are covered with wax evenly you can start to massage the body panel. The skin will pull a nice layer of wax over the surface. If the wax has good spreadability, the coat will be homogeneous, but later as you skin runs out of wax, the application can become uneven. Go over the same area a couple of times to ensure proper coverage. It's a strange, but very satisfying tactile experience. You'll discover many unknown arcs, tiny edges, funny details on your car. You can cover half a panel, or even an entire panel with one little load of wax, but everything depends on the temperature (ambient & panel), humidity, and your personal skill. You'll see how much time do you need to cover a panel with a thin, even layer of wax. 1-2 minutes is a good target.

Then you have to leave the wax to set, before removal. The Victorias have relatively short setting times (2-3 minutes for Concours, 4-5 minutes for the oilier Collectors). Then grab a thinner MF towel, and start to remove the wax with slow, steady motions. If your application was nice and thin the MF won't get saturated quickly. Flip the towel to expose a clean side after 2-3 panels. After removal, go over the car with chilled QD and you're done.



So, once again, hand application is not a must, it's just a style. All waxes can be applied with applicators, DA machines, etc. But there is a certain flavor doing it this way. Hope that helped. :)
 
The whole hand application schtick is a bit of marketing puffery, combined with user foolishness. An affront to human reason, and embarrasment to everyone involved.
 
Another wax you could use is Zymol Concours. I have it and use it quite often. It can be a PITA to apply to a big car, hell even a small car can take a while. I like doing it because its kind of a relaxing thing for me. A car with nice curves is like massaging a beautiful woman LOL. I know it sounds crazy but it is nice. I haven't used any of the ones mentioned but I want to try Dodo's products. Good luck and enjoy.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone.



The bike doesn't have too much surface area so the slower nature of a hand method shouldn't be too bad.



I thought the hand thing seemed like a gimmick, but someone who's opinion I value suggested it for my bike, so I figured I'd give it a go.



I will post up after I've waxed it.
 
Dodo Supernatural comes in a little sampler tub, 30 ml for 30 bucks. You could get maybe 100 or more applications for your bike. It'd be a great way to try a $200 wax.

With Poorboys Black Hole underneath, it sure looks good on red.
 
GoudyL said:
The whole hand application schtick is a bit of marketing puffery, combined with user foolishness. An affront to human reason, and embarrasment to everyone involved.
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You should be embarrassed for spelling embarrassment wrong. If you don't have anything good to say, don't say it at all. Or at the very least spell things right :nono
 
I did 476 by hand. It worked very well. The heat from my hands allowed it melt allowing thinner spreading (this is before i had a pc) and made it easier to remove.
 
6ces said:
I did 476 by hand. It worked very well. The heat from my hands allowed it melt allowing thinner spreading (this is before i had a pc) and made it easier to remove.
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Egads, did you get sick from solvent poisoning or develop cancer or even something more horrific? 476 is one wax I would never apply by hand. On the other hand, I do enjoy sniffing 845. :grinno:
 
Good point Al.



6ces, the Colli is an industrial wax which is not suitable for bare hand application. Physically it works, but just think about the solvents and other harmful substances which can get absorbed by our skin.



Therefore a cosmetic grade formula is essential for bare hand application.
 
I went with the Dodo Supernatural wax. The sample size was $30 and I have a 15% off coupon. Even the 3oz (sample size) should last me a ton of applications on a motorcycle.
 
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