Your preferred method of applying wax

TacoHerder

TacoHerder

New member
There are few ways to apply wax as everyone is aware. You can use a pad by hand, a machine, or literally by hand.

Most people who see someone waxing by hand just think they are foolish and wasting time. The truth is waxing by hand is the safest method you can use. Applying wax by hand is usually needed in very cold environments as your hands heat up the wax as you rub it on.

Also applying by hand should be used when there is zero tolerance for a mess up. As anyone who has detailed more than once has found, no environment is sterile. Ever go to use your mf towel laying on the car and you still find some type of particle that has somehow made its way in the fibers? I know thats happen to me on a few occasions. When applying wax with a pad or by machine IF some foreign particle falls on the paint you might not know it until you create a panel full of scratches. Which will mean you get to do some more paint correction.

Now if you were applying the wax by hand, the second your hand touches that particle you will know. You will be able to feel the particle and can stop to remove before continuing. Sure it takes longer, but might save you hours on the long run.

I myself use either just my hands, or I use a pad and go slow while paying close attention. What are your methods for applying wax?
 
yellow foam disc, tried and true. Never tried with bare hands, do you feel that you use more wax that way? My hands are kinda gnarly... MF is probably softer! :)
 
I find you can lay down a thinner coat when waxing by hand. Even though im an electrician and handy man, i was cursed with small hands. So I dont really have to worry about my hand being too harsh.
 
I have layed wax by bare hand before. It tends to warm up the nuba and blend it onto the surface but have to make sure your hands are super clean all the time.
 
By using a pad by hand is what I do or by my PC when I'm in a hurry. Not all waxes will work using the hand method. But in the old days when one was waxing their car, after applying the wax one would let it sit in the sun for about 20-30 mins to melt then buff off.
 
I cant imagine detailing cars back then. I bet there were many, MANY cars full of buffer trails from some oversized wool pad on a rotary machine. Not to mention how many detailers burnt thru some paint, bet that happen a lot. And ya, I dont think I would go apply some of that new CG black wax by hand, also Dodo hard candy wax feels pretty solid. Dont think that can be applied by hand either.
 
I do it by machine. It is just easier to get a thin and even coat especially for some products that tend to be more difficult to remove if over applied.
 

Are we talking liquid or paste wax here?


Liquid
When using a liquid wax or sealant I like to use a machine to get even coverage and really "work the product in". But I always come back with a yellow foam applicator to get in the tight spots and along trim.​


Paste wax
For paste wax I use yellow foam applicator by hand. I have not tried a machine yet. I did do a panel by bare hands and didn't care for it.​
 
If we are talking about applying a paint wax, then I usually do it using a foam applicator by hand (not bare hand).

For liquid waxes and paint sealants I much prefer the convenience and thin-coat ability of using a dual action orbital polisher.
 
Todd Helme said:
If we are talking about applying a paint wax, then I usually do it using a foam applicator by hand (not bare hand).

For liquid waxes and paint sealants I much prefer the convenience and thin-coat ability of using a dual action orbital polisher.
Click to expand...

^ Agreed.

I couldn't imagine BFWD by hand. :rofl
 
Todd Helme said:
If we are talking about applying a paint wax, then I usually do it using a foam applicator by hand (not bare hand).

For liquid waxes and paint sealants I much prefer the convenience and thin-coat ability of using a dual action orbital polisher.
Click to expand...

I'm the same here as Todd...waxing by bare hand IMO (I've done it) the surface of your hand is not flat as a foam pad is compressed by the pressure of your hand. That said your hand would be uneven and leave larger amount in some surface areas as others. Just my take on it but I do like the heat factor of your hand.
 
I'm waiting for a wax that will just jump out of the jar when one open's it and apply itself to the paint........:D
 
Wow, I've never heard of using a bare hand for wax. My hands have kalises on them and I would think that that would marr the paint. I prefer the safety and consistancecy of a small foam applicator.
 
I guess im just lucky and have smooth girly hands so I can get away with it:dance1 Every time ive done it by hand I wash my hands really good with some strong dish soap to remove all the oils in my hands, I think dirty hands would marr your paint pretty good.
 
When I did my winter prep and put on my LSP I used the GG random orbital for the 1st and 2nd coats and of course used a pad for the tighter areas, a week or 2 after those coat I did it by hand. The reason I did it by hand as I was thinking that if I used the machine I actually may take some of the previous 2 coats off. I just wanted to make sure I had a really good coat on because I need it to last 4 to 5 months though the cold winters here. I have never applied by bare hand.

Dean. :drive:
 
What I gathered from this thread...

I guess it depends on the vehicle and the type of wax...I've heard that for some high end waxes using your bare hands is the preferred application method.
As mentioned by TacoHerder for this "apply with your bare hands" method you need " smooth girly hands". Do any of us use wax that costs over $1000?

So for most (like me) a foam, MF or cotton applicator works fine for hand application. I will and have used a DA with soft pads to apply paste wax on paint.
Now it also depends on the wax. With some paste I found it better and faster to apply by hand and with others I have better/faster results when using a DA
 
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