Detailing - Waxing 101

[SmokinDiesel]

Waxing 101

Once you have chose a wax/sealant for your paint, you have a few different opitions on applying it.

Hand Application
Apply car wax or paint sealant in the shade. If the product dries too quickly or sits on the vehicle too long, it may be difficult to buff off. Always apply car wax or paint sealant to a dry vehicle. Droplets of water on the paint will cause the product to streak and it will be unnecessarily tough to buff off. Thin, thin, thin! Apply the thinnest coat you can. If you want more shine and depth, you’re not going to accomplish it in one thick coat. It just makes the wax or sealant difficult to remove and streaky. Buff one coat off before applying a second extremely thin coat. Check the label to see how long one coat has to cure before applying another (usually 12-18 hours). Poly foam wax applicators are the best for achieving a thin, even coat. They’re absorbent, durable, washable, and reusable. They’re also inexpensive, so don’t be afraid to throw them away when they get really soiled. Buff the haze away with microfiber. The static-charged, woven fibers grab wax residue so there is less dusting, if any. Microfiber does not shed lint and the tiny, manmade fibers polish the paint while you buff. Rotate your towel frequently to reveal a clean side. Keep an extra Miracle Towel lying around in case the first one becomes caked with wax. If you do get streaks or an uneven shine, it’s easily corrected with a quick detail spray.

Machine Application

Select a Gray Finishing Pad or a Blue Final Finishing Pad to apply wax. This pad is soft and absorbent, but firm enough to withstand the pressure of the machine. It’s perfect for any type of wax, even paste wax. If you are using a paste wax, spread it onto the pad like you’re buttering a piece of bread. You can turn the jar of wax upside down and slide the wax out into a plastic sandwich bag to rub it onto the pad, or you can use a clean putty knife. If you’re using a liquid wax or sealant, dispense three 3” lines of wax around the edge of the pad. If you’re using a liquid wax or sealant, press the polisher to the paint and spread the wax over a panel before turning the machine on. This will lessen the likelihood of splatter. Set your dual action polisher to a maximum speed of 3. Check the label of your particular wax for specific directions, but generally this is the fastest speed you need to apply wax. Spread the wax over the panel until it is evenly covered. Turn off your machine before lifting it off the paint.
Buff with microfiber. Some products allow you to apply wax to the entire vehicle before buffing, but many do not. If your wax does not, buffing by hand may be most efficient. If your wax can be applied to the entire vehicle before buffing, you might prefer to buff by machine using a microfiber or terry cloth bonnet over a lambswool pad for cushioning. Microfiber doesn’t shed lint like terry cloth can, but the choice is up to you. I like to give the vehicle a final hand buffing to remove any remaining wax that the polisher may have missed. Use a quick detail spray to buff out patchy areas.

Wax
a protective coating usually made from natural carnauba wax and polymers that provides a deep, reflective shine.

Sealant
a completely synthetic blend of polymers that provides long-lasting paint protection and shine.

Recommend Products
Pinnacle Liquid Souveran
Pinnacle Paste Souveran
P21S Concours Carnauba Wax
Klasse All-In-One
Megs NXT 2.0 Tech Wax
Pinnacle Poly Applicator Pads
Cobra Micro-Fiber
Ultimate Detailing Maching (UDM)
Lake Country CCS Smart Pads
Lake Country Low Profile Pads
Lambswool Leveling Pad
Cobra Micro-Fiber Bonnets

-Mike

__________________
Mike Charlton - Keystone Diesel
1996 Dodge Cummins 12 Valve
580hp - 1178 ft lbs
Still Shooting for 600+ ....

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Last edited by SmokinDiesel : 02-21-2008 at 04:40 PM.