How do you apply your wax?

9646gt · **How do you apply your wax? -** 06-13-05, 12:36 PM

I have heard several people say to use a terry pad or microfiber pad and apply in a circular motion while others say never apply it circular but in straight lines....how do you apply wax and in what direction do you remove it and with what?

Evenflow · 06-13-05, 02:26 PM

I use the applicator pad that came with my NXT tech wax paste. I apply the wax in a horizontal motion. I then buff it off with a microfiber towel.

However, in the next month or so I plan on purchasing a PorterCable buffer. That way I can atleast get into my clearcote and get some of the swirl marks out.

PuterAmI · 06-13-05, 03:11 PM

Never in a circular pattern. Always one direction.

Always in the shade. Do not use a cleaner/wax. The paint should be absolutely clean. Think of the word "wax". For me, it is only to seal out water much like wax (think candle) does.

I have gone to micro fiber. Buy stock in the stuff. These things work very well.

**mansonozz** · 06-13-05, 05:23 PM

DA buffer

9646gt · 06-14-05, 08:20 AM

Humm I have beend applying (sorry for the spelling a hot girl jsut walked by and ditracted me heh) but ne ways..I have been putting it on in a circular motion..guess I need to redo it in wstraight line..I never use a wax that says cleaner..thats what claybar and polish are for

I have heard you cant apply more than one coat of cleaner wax bc it will remove the last coat you did..

Also how is a buffer good for the paint then if its a circular motion? I always heard a buffer on black paint = swirl marks out the butt ?

**rjstaaf** · 06-14-05, 08:32 AM

It is amazing how things get started and people never question why.

The reason for the straight back and forth motion vs circular is simple. A straight back and forth motion will induce scratches in a straight line which are less obvious than circular scratches. The goal here is to avoid scratches so as long as you are using a clean applicator and are applying wax to a clean surface it really doesn't matter. Use whichever motion is more comfortable for you.

**mansonozz** · 06-14-05, 08:34 AM

Read here about DA buffers.

They're not the rotary ones that spin around like mad and burn right through your paint.

**rjstaaf** · 06-14-05, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9646gt

Also how is a buffer good for the paint then if its a circular motion? I always heard a buffer on black paint = swirl marks out the butt ?

Depends on what you are calling a buffer. If you are thinking of those $10 cheapies you buy at the auto parts store than yes, JUNK. A good high speed rotary buffer in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing should not induce swirls. You might also look at the Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher, it is a step down from a high speed rotary but, much better than doing the work by hand.

**rjstaaf** · 06-14-05, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mansonozz

Read here about DA buffers.

They're not the rotary ones that spin around like mad and burn right through your paint.

Let's not give high speed rotaries a bad name. A rotary in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing is a great tool. Nothing can match the finish that a rotary in the hands of an expert can achieve. In the hands of someone that hasn't a clue, it can do a lot of damage. Generally people who don't know what they are doing blame their tools

**mansonozz** · 06-14-05, 08:44 AM

No of cousre not. In the hands of the knowledgable they're a great tool.

Just figure the amount of people who actually know how to use them, and well, you'll see where I was coming from

**rjstaaf** · 06-14-05, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mansonozz

No of cousre not. In the hands of the knowledgable they're a great tool.

Just figure the amount of people who actually know how to use them, and well, you'll see where I was coming from

That is the problem, too many guys think they can just pick one up and go to town on their pride and joy. I saw an '03 Roush the other day that was covered from one end to the other with holograms

**mansonozz** · 06-14-05, 08:57 AM

Ouch! My dad taught me at a young age how to use a rotary, so thankfully I was ok with it. I remember once he had this loser kinda guy working for him (he was a dealer) and he had to buff out a car. The buffer was set on the ground, got a little stone or two in the pad, and he went to town on the car.

He put so many scratches in that car you'd think it was a target at a shooting range!