Applying Wax by Hand

S

solekeeper

New member
I know this seems like a dumb question, but I'm used to applying with an applicator... How exactly would I apply by hand?



BTW, it's Dodo juice... So it's a paste wax obviously. Thanks!
 
usually when someone on here says "wax by hand" they mean "not with a machine" and will use a foam or MF applicator to apply thin, even coats of wax on the paint surface.



It sounds to me like you are asking how to apply by using just your hands. Am I correct?



if so, the answer is simple - Just don't do it.



I've seen it done "by hand" in one of Paul Dalton's videos, but I don't understand the point. He says that wax contains an enzyme that is activated by heat (from your hand), and that somehow it makes the wax work better.



I've never used, or even seen, a wax that states that it has "heat activated enzymes" or anything similar. Besides, if such a thing did exist, you would be better off applying it by machine since that is likely to generate more heat than your hands. You're also more likely to get thin, even coats of product.
 
Yea if it's the "bare" hands technique I look at that as nothing more than a gimmick to sell wax. You can youtube it. There are tons of vids out there of so called detailers (and some actual ones too LOL) that I think got pulled into the gimmick. Just use your applicator as normal.
 
Doesn't Zymol have some line about the heat from your hands activating the enzymes? I suppose an argument could be made that the tactile improvement of not having an applicator in the way might improve your coverage of the surface...but honestly, after seeing Tyler hand wax that red BMW I don't even want to think about it!
 
ok, thanks guys. I did figure that applying with an applicator made more sense, because you would get more coverage.. But I think I have heard of people using that expensive wax like swissvax applying those by hand right?
 
My hands are messed up, im positive my hands are not softer than a foam or mf applicator. I would be worried that a calus might induce some light marring.



Are you talking about the rubbish boys oe? Some take a spoon and rub some off the top and apply it to an applicator
 
Yes, you have heard that. As Jake said, most regard it as a gimmick to go along with your $7500 wax or whatever. I guess whatever you can do to make your process seem more exclusive, the more you can charge. On the plus side, afterwards your hands probably can hold up to a lot of dishwashing and still bead water!
 
100% Gimmick. Unless that is you're trying to get your ride to lighten up before you make sweet love to it. In which case you're gross.
 
I agree, I think it has to be a gimmick.



Even if there is such a thing as a heat-activated enzyme, wouldn't machine application be a better route to take than using your bare hands?
 
akimel said:
Here's a video done by Carlos of Detailing Bliss on hand application of wax. The wax he is using is Victoria Concours Red.
Click to expand...



As I understand it, Carlos really likes applying wax by hand, but for the experience, not necessarily because it is more effective. Some people, like Carlos simply find it relaxing and enjoy the experience. In fact, Victoria Wax is so soft as you can see from the video that an applicator works just fine. Personally, I believe it is a marketing gimmick. When you apply by hand, it goes on really thick, which means you apply a lot more and waste product, which means you run out sooner and hence you have to buy more. If your car has soft clearcoat, I would not recommend applying by hand as you will induce marring. If the wax is really hard, warming up a foam applicator with a hairdryer or warming up the wax with the halogens and applying with the applicator is by far more effective (and you waste less product).
 
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