Cure time fore carnauba waxes

termigator

termigator

New member
Is there a cure time for waxes? I know the cure time for sealants are typically 24 hrs. I was just wondering if carnauba waxes have a requisite cure time before applying another coat.
 
Since carnuabas are not layerable in terms of distinct coats or crosslinking occuring, there is no cure time. Many apply 2 coats back-to-back to insure complete coverage.
 
This might be slightly off the subject, but if carnauba is not layerable, then why does Pinnacle claim that Souveran, a carnauba wax, is layerable?
 
termigator said:
This might be slightly off the subject, but if carnauba is not layerable, then why does Pinnacle claim that Souveran, a carnauba wax, is layerable?
Click to expand...



Great question. Only CMA can contradict this basic chemistry question:



If the carrier solvents in a wax is strong enough to maintain a paste/liquid consistency of an entire container of wax, what do you think these solvents will do to a microscopic coating of the same product on a vehicles finish? Re-suspend them.
 
The whole "can you layer carnaubas" issue comes up from time to time and after a zillion (increasingly contentious) posts we agree to disagree. I doubt that this one will ever be fully resolved.



Many of the people who believe you *can* layer carnaubas say to wait a week or so. Unless you're trying to just "add to the oils/etc. on the surface" as one does with a quick additional application just prior to show judging. IIRC, this latter approach is called something like the "concours method". Others just add a coat the next day after "the standard 24 hour cure time".



Those who believe you can layer carnaubas sometimes suggest that once a wax has "cured", it is harder to get it to re-suspend. Sufficiently harder that the limited contact with solvents that comes from additional applications won't do it.



Heh heh, and then there's the "but what about spit-shining?" ;) The point being that there might be ways to mitigate the tendency towards re-suspension.



IMHO people have to try doing stuff like this for themselves and see what *they* think. And then not worry about what others think.
 
I am sure Carnauba waxes layer due in part to the rapid evaporation of the "carrier" solvents. This is my own speculation, but IMHO, the solvents are just there to keep the wax in an applicable state. Once on the vehicle the evaporation is upward and outward, hence the temperature requirements for application. The manufacturer wants the evaporation of the solvent to be rapid, avoiding the resuspension issue.
 
I agree mochamanz,

There is probably some partial accumulation of the protective agents with each application.



As you stated lies the mystery and new problems created by the new VOC regulations. "How will we maintain rapid evaporation and not use environmentally damaging volatile carriers?" :nixweiss
 
My experience has been that to get the best results from more than 1 coat of wax is to wait a day or two before applying another. The only times I ever get any carnauba hazing reforming a day or two later is when I apply two successive coats of wax without waiting.
 
It is best (IMO) to wait at least a day. You can put on more than one coat at a time. I recommend that you put on no more than two coats at one time (the beginning of your wax routine for the year). Putting on more than two "coats" will make it harder to control, and you will more likely see streaks and hazing later. Also, believe it or not, I've found that putting on (let's say 4-5 in one shot bc I once thought that it was doing something amazing) a lot of deposits at one time will have a greater tendency for the beading quality to wash off quicker in the rain.



You can add as much wax as you see fit, however. It will be a lot better for you to build your deposits Very Slowly over a season, where it will greatly enhance your finish, and will promote its longevity (from what I've experienced). You will do very well by starting off with one or up to two, and just follow it monthly with a coat of wax as needed. Good waxing.
 
Scottwax said:
My experience has been that to get the best results from more than 1 coat of wax is to wait a day or two before applying another. The only times I ever get any carnauba hazing reforming a day or two later is when I apply two successive coats of wax without waiting.
Click to expand...

I did some expiermenting with this last weekend. I put two coats of wax on without waiting between applications on two differant cars, each with a differant brand of wax. Both cars rehazed a day later. From now on I will wait at least a day or two before adding a second coat. :)
 
Y'all can't forget that most modern "carnauba" waxes have some sort of polymer too. So maybe the polymer is actually what is layering?



BTW, where do you see it recommending layering Souveran?
 
Soveran is not the only wax where they say is layerable. Victoria Wax also says the same thing on their site. I have been using soveran for a few years now, applying it in various ways (by massaging it in by hand, using a pad) and have layered it with a few days in b/w for curing. IMO it seems to improve, but, that might be a biased/wishful thinking. Who knows, as long as I feel it helps and it 'looks' better :nana: .

p.s. I recently got the sample kit from Victoria Wax and 'hand' applied two coats over 24 hrs. Very nice wax that actually darkened my cars paint more than soveran. Its early, but no streaking at this time, quite comparable to soveran (my go to carnuba).
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Great question. Only CMA can contradict this basic chemistry question:



If the carrier solvents in a wax is strong enough to maintain a paste/liquid consistency of an entire container of wax, what do you think these solvents will do to a microscopic coating of the same product on a vehicles finish? Re-suspend them.
Click to expand...







The carry solvent arguments is interesting with the new VOC requirement of less than 15% solvents is required to be VOC compliant. Now many sealants including Zaino are now solvent based so not being able to layer apply to them also?



I believe that you can layer 2 and maybe three layers and see a difference, past that I just don’t see any difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top