Autopian Definition(s) of Spit-Shining

[Accumulator]

I was gonna post the following in the "Spit Shining with FK 425" thread, but decided to make it a new one.



IMO we're kinda blurring the common-use definition of "spit-shining" and I'm guilty of doing it myself



See if this is the consensus of the whole thing, and correct me if I have it wrong:



The idea is to use the "spit" to avoid disturbing the existing layer of wax and thus better facilitate the layering of wax.



True spit shining is used to build up multiple layers of wax during one detailing session, one right after the other (the way a bootblack uses the method to apply *many* layers of shoe polish when you get a shine). Like when I applied 476S to the Volvo and immediately put two applications of Souveran over top of it, with the two applications of Souveran being both applications on one panel, then moving on to the next panel. This is a huge job of work BTW, and something I hardly ever bother doing.



Not-so-true spit shining is using a QD/water to lubricate/prep the panels during the usual application of wax. This probably also helps avoid compromising the existing wax and I've noticed it tends to result in more spherical beads than "normal waxing". Helps spread the wax thinner too. But if you're only putting on one layer of wax while doing this, you're only doing a fraction of the entire (genuine) spit shine process. Doesn't make it "wrong", just isn't quite the same thing. But since it does seem to offer some advantages over regular waxing, this is something I *do* bother doing on a regular basis.



What do ya think, does the above summarize things OK or am I off base?

 

[Bill D]

Nick T.'s thread introduced me to the concept. I read it, re-read it , printed it out, and read it again to understand the concept of spit shining. That's how I approach it. Yes, it involved distilled water or carnauba QD as "the spit", a low solvent wax such as Souveran, an applicator ( Nick and I favor MF), and a whole lot of time. I am sure to have a "base coat" of carnauba applied to the entire car 24 hours before starting the procedure.

 

[Accumulator]

Yeah, it was Nick T.'s thread that introduced me to the idea (of using it detailing-wise) as well.

 

[Prometheus]

I think you are absolutely correct in your interpretation (at least that's the way I always interpreted it). I always use it to do multiple layers, same way I do it on my shoes .



I too have noticed the more spherical bead characteristic, and I honestly can't really figure out why. I spit shined a couple of layers of #16 last fall and the beads were the smallest and most spherical I have ever seen on my car.

 

[Spilchy]

You have it corect Accumulator. There is the *true* method of spit shining that you, BillD, Bence and the lost soul NickT have down and use (among others that I don't know).



Then there is the other spit shine-like method that you described. That's what I do. I spritz the panel and applicator to aid in delivery of a carnauba to achieve a thin layer. I also feel it adds more gloss. I also spritz the panel while I buff off. I also feel this may reduce the chances of marring as there is no dry dust that cakes up and is rubbed into the surface upon removal. That's also why I use multiple towels.



When I shine my shoes I polish them, buff off, then add another light coat, spritz with water, add another light coat, spritz with water, add another light coat and then buff off. Then I spritz with water one last time and buff off again. My grandfather who sold shoes for a few decades before joining the union that represented him, showed this to me. I always had to have my new shoes inspected by him when I was growing up



But, there are two (if not more) varying types of spit shining with one being the *true* spit shine method.



I guess it boils down to the "What is a QD" discussion / argument. There are so many out there, the term has been watered down and made generic to apply to all liquids that you spray on the surface (besides some of the obvious like Z8, WAUD, OCW, FX Spray). So when someone says "spit shine" we have to assume it may not mean the traditional sense of the method and not point it out each time. I know when I describe it, I say "spit shine-like" since I don't do it the old school way.

 

[Smoked Tails]

I am afraid of shining my car the way I shine my boots. I get a cotton ball just moist enough that it easily picks up wax easily. I generously apply wax to boots. Then my friend Bic comes over and proceeds to hold a light flame and barely melt all the wax on the boots. I then take a soaking wet cotton ball, put a small amount of polish on it and buff the wax until the haze clears. I do this three times for each boot. They look like grand pianos when I am done.



I haven't been able to do this on the car yet, I'm really afraid that I'll set the darned thing on fire. I do think that there should be a different term for wet buffing your wax off of the car and truly spit shining it. I had just barely read the spit shine thread when I did my car the other weekend. I QD'ed the car after I waxed and then applied the next coat. My mistake was buffing the QD out first. Woops. The second coat didn't seem to go as well, even with it being hazed over, it was smudgy and reluctant to come off cleanly. I didn't realize GC was so solvent-heavy. Oh well, live and learn. In a week or so my Natty's should be here, I'll give it a go again and spit shine it the right way.



Thanks for the thread, it instantly made a light bulb go off in my head, and at that moment, I knew why my "spit-shine" didn't work. D'oh.

 

[mikebai1990]

I think I've caught on to the basic idea and purpose of spit-shining now.



Between using QD and distilled water, is there a better one which will yield better results?



Does the QD have to be carnauba? I recently bought some Long Haul QD I plan on using, but I don't think it is a carnauba QD.



If I use QD, should I also put it in the refrigerator like the distilled water? Or does it not matter?



Thanks for helping me out with this new (to me) technique

 

[Accumulator]

Between using QD and distilled water, is there a better one which will yield better results?

Depends on how compatible the QD and your LSP are. IMO the water always works well but the QD can work better/worse. #34 doesn't work all that well for me for instance and IIRC the old EF Clear Pearl seemed to *maybe* compromise durability.

Does the QD have to be carnauba? I recently bought some Long Haul QD I plan on using, but I don't think it is a carnauba QD.

No, it doesn't *have* to be a carnauba-based QD; people have been using FK425 with carnauba waxes and the two work fine together. Dunno about the Long Haul though and I'm not sure how safe it is to generalize about compatibility. Try it, observe how it works (and the subsequent durability) and go from there.

If I use QD, should I also put it in the refrigerator like the distilled water? Or does it not matter?

I'd still chill it; it might matter even *more* than with water if the QD is gonna effect a solvent action on the wax (which is, *IMO* something you have to watch out for as it would run counter to the whole purpose of spit-shining, i.e. diminishing the solvent effect).