Letting wax cure?

R

Rudamous

New member
I've read in several posts about how people let Meguiars NXT Tech Wax or Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze cure for 24 up to 48 hours. What does this mean? I am confused and my use of the search button could only led me to people saying that they let a wax cure not matter what I did.



-What is curing?

-Is it a must?

-What are the advantages/disadvantage?
 
Some protectants require a *curing* time which means enough time left alone to completely bond to your car's surface. If you apply another coat of the same or a different product on top of a product that didn't have enough time to cure (bond) it will just come right off.



The advantage of allowing the product to cure is that it will do its job and look its best, the disadvantage is that it will be like you never did it.



It's usually sealants that require curing times, like SG, EX, NXT, etc. Most waxes (carnauba) don't require a curing time since they bond immediately. Always read your labels and if you ever get confused just post a quick question and someone will be glad to help you.
 
To add to what JDookie said, you should try to not let your car get wet during the curing process as it may affect durability...you can't always control the weather, but I tend to not apply sealants when I know it will rain in the next day or two.
 
well as for what mtodde said about the rain afecting its curing time i cant really say anything except ive applied a "CARNUBA" and it rained 10 minutes after and when it dried it was still slick.



"Most waxes (carnauba) don't require a curing time since they bond immediately."--jdookie-------->>>>



i always understood that synthetic waxes (sealants) are the ones that actually bond to the surface and that natural waxes (carnubas) just stick to the surface but dont ever really bond to a sufface, rather it justs sits there, which doesnt let it be layered since an application would just move the product.



just my .02



still a newbie!
 
Oh no, you don't need to lock it up but if you want the absolute *best* longevity out of it, try not to let it get wet for about 24 hours, if you can help it. Just pick a day where it looks fairly nice for a couple days after. I don't know about you, but I always watch the weather before I detail just because I hate doing things twice! Another tip is if you apply your NXT in the morning you will have the heat of the sun helping it cure before the cold humidity sets in.
 
I think it all depends on the weather, but for the most part, it is 24 hours. I'm sure you could knock a few hours off of that if you absolutely had to. Most of the time, the detailers that do this for a living don't do multiple steps of sealants on top of sealants on top of carnaubas like we do. They will usually prep and seal all within three steps and be done. If another coat of something is required, they just recommend it and do it the next time they wash it or something. Layering like we do is a luxury that you can only achieve by doing it yourself.
 
A wax should be given at least a day to dry or "cure" before adding another layer. Additional "layers" of a pure wax will not take off previous layers of wax.
 
~One manâ€â„¢s opinion / observations~



Carnauba wax must be given sufficient time to set-up, 10 - 20 minutes is recommended before removing residue When Carnauba wax sets-up it bonds (adheres) to a paint film surface primarily by surface tension the balance of the adherence process is that it works its way via the carrier system (solvent and / or oils) into the microscopic gaps and valleys of the paint film surface thereby creating an anchor.

Carnauba wax must be allowed to cross-link for 24 hours before applying other products (more â€Ëœlayersâ€â„¢ or a QD)



âہ“Additional "layers" of a pure wax will not take off previous layers of wax.â€Â�

Solvents provide a lubricant and aid the adherence process by working their way into the microscopic gaps and valleys of the previous `layer' softening it, providing each subsequent applications carrying agent (solvent, oils silicones or emulsion) are not so concentrated that they degrade or remove (as in the case of a cleaner wax) what has been previously applied



Also be aware that the both the product and the foam pad may be non-abrasive, but application pressure if not kept to an absolute minimum and using use a very light and even pressure, may re-introduce surface marring and/or removal of the previously applied product.





~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted [each one / teach one]

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ JonM
 
Hey guys...newbie here!



If you guys are letting your cars "cure" for 24 hours, do you not drive the car at all and let it sit in the garage?



What if you finished waxing it, and you have to drive it later in the day, do you have to wipe down the whole car with a QD before you apply another layer?
 
I too find that letting *anything* (wax, synthetic) cure for at least a day is beneficial when layering. But I suspect that the "24 hours" thing is sorta arbitrary...just because we schedule our lives around 24 hour intervals doesn't mean a LSP magically cures in exactly that period of time ;)



FWIW, with waxes I often wait a week, applying the next coat after the next wash. I seem to recall Mike Phillips saying he found this works well with stuff like #16.





Nightcrawler said:
Hey guys...newbie here!
Click to expand...



Welcome to Autopia!



If you guys are letting your cars "cure" for 24 hours, do you not drive the car at all and let it sit in the garage?
Click to expand...



Ideally, yeah. But since that isn't always practical, it's not a big deal. I often drive 'em right after I finish a detail and I've never noticed a problem from it.



What if you finished waxing it, and you have to drive it later in the day, do you have to wipe down the whole car with a QD before you apply another layer?
Click to expand...



Yeah, but I'd wash it instead. QDing a dirty car is just too risky marring-wise for my taste, but plenty of other people do it. ANY dirt that gets on the finish can cause marring, so definitely don't just add a coat of LSP to a vehicle that's been driven- you'll scratch it.
 
I like to wait at least 12 hours.I could finish one layer late at night and put the next one on in the late morning.It works for me
 
I found this thread interesting. I called Pinnacle about letting Pinnacle Souveran cure before another coat. They said let it wait 12 to 18 hours before applying a additional coat. Works for me!
 
This may be really obvious, but in reading this thread it might be worthwhile to make the distinction between "set-up" and "curing" times. As I've heard and practice...



After applying a sealant, it's good to let it set up for ~ 30 minutes before removing it. Waxes can generally be removed immediately after application. Take "generally" to note. Direct sunlight and specific product directions should always receive attention.



"Curing" - or the time between removing one product and applying a second coat or another product, is a separate but equally important topic. 24 hours is generally accepted, regardless of product.
 
KITT- Opinions vary, and as best I can tell that's all we really have- *opinions*. People seem to have differing experiences, which lead to the differing opinions. So IMO ;) people should do what works for them and quit doing stuff that does *not* work for them.



On layering carnaubas (especially Souveran)- this is where "spit-shining" comes in.
 
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