Hand waxing? Like using hands?

G

Guitarist302008

New member
I'm curious if anyone does this? I happened to catch a video of it on youtube one day and I just got to wondering if anyone does it... what would be the benefit over using a good applicator pad?
 
Some waxes need a bit of heat to work well and thus doing it with your bare hands is advisable. Otherwise....eh...I'd at least want to wear latex/nitrile gloves rather than work the stuff into my skin.
 
I was at a local detailing clinic where the guy demonstrated applying either a swissvax or zymol (I forget which... Don't really care) that needed to be applied by hand and I wasn't impressed. Seemed kinda gimmicky to me. Maybe it is "necessary" for those particular waxes but I couldn't shake the simple thought of "that looks ridiculous... Why the hell would I want to do that??"
 
Inzane said:
I was at a local detailing clinic where the guy demonstrated applying either a swissvax or zymol ...
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Yeah, those are the two that need the heat. I won't :nono: as some people whose opinions I respect think those product lines can indeed have their place. But I won't be using them myself either ;) :grinno:
 
Gimmick all the way. I've tried a few times with various Zymols, application by hand makes a mess, uses more product and doesn't increase durability or looks.
 
Maybe on an ice cold day! Your favorite, FK1000P is a lot harder than any of those hand waxes, seems to go on via applicator just fine :-D
 
I've hand applied Souveran before just for the hell of it, but why strain your hands? Just use an applicator
 
Some soft Carnauba waxes (Victoria Concours Red Wax, Swisswax, Zymol, etc) use the warmth of the hands as a catalyst to activate the enzymes and soften the wax; enabling you to spread and massage in a very thin coating of wax. Applying to small sections and massaging in the wax will quickly start the cure process and exposure to the air will allow a full wax set-up.
 
TOGWT said:
Some soft Carnauba waxes (Victoria Concours Red Wax, Swisswax, Zymol, etc) use the warmth of the hands as a catalyst to activate the enzymes and soften the wax; enabling you to spread and massage in a very thin coating of wax. Applying to small sections and massaging in the wax will quickly start the cure process and exposure to the air will allow a full wax set-up.
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I did read this as well.. it makes sense, but I don't see the point. MAYBE you could say that wearing some gloves and doing it would give the least chance of marring over any applicator, but I didn't really see the point in it I have to say.
 
Accumulator said:
Some waxes need a bit of heat to work well and thus doing it with your bare hands is advisable. Otherwise....eh...I'd at least want to wear latex/nitrile gloves rather than work the stuff into my skin.
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I would definitely wear gloves if I were going to do this yes.



On a side note I will say that I could see how maybe you might get a little more even coverage and less likely to miss a small spot here and there but again, I just don't see the point. I think that a 30.00 can of 915, FK, etc etc is just as good or better than any 1,100.00 can of swissvax.
 
TOGWT said:
Some soft Carnauba waxes (Victoria Concours Red Wax, Swisswax, Zymol, etc) use the warmth of the hands as a catalyst to activate the enzymes and soften the wax; enabling you to spread and massage in a very thin coating of wax. Applying to small sections and massaging in the wax will quickly start the cure process and exposure to the air will allow a full wax set-up.
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Have you ever tried this? Thin is not how it goes on. It makes a MESS. Unless you spend HOURS you get all sorts of high spots and end up using 10x the wax you would with foam. And unless you have girly hands, you are going to cause some sort of marring.
 
Once you get used to applying soft waxes with the tips of your fingers, I’ve found I used less product as was able to spread it thinly and evenly.



It has a lot to do with personal preference and individual experience really. David Wyllie Sr. (owner of Victoria Wax) is a great proponent of this application method



Take your tub of soft wax (Victoria Concours Red Wax, Swisswax, Zymol, etc) and gently rub the surface with your finger tips but don't stick your fingers all the way in. Using small overlapping circles apply to one panel at a time. When you’ve done the second panel and remove the wax from the first panel with a 100% cotton towel and move on to the third panel and so on



Applying to small sections and massaging in the wax will quickly start the cure process and exposure to the air will allow a full wax set-up. Allow the radiation heat to ‘sweat’ the wax and then buff with a 100% cotton micro fibre towel.
 
Interesting, I'd love to see a video of how your or someone else that is great at it does it. I'm disgusted by the idea, I bet it shows :D
 
Dan said:
Have you ever tried this? Thin is not how it goes on. It makes a MESS. Unless you spend HOURS you get all sorts of high spots and end up using 10x the wax you would with foam. And unless you have girly hands, you are going to cause some sort of marring.
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I was thinking this as well. I would mar the hell out of soft paint with my hands and I can spread thinner with an applicator. If heat is necessary (I don't think 10* more than the ambient 85* is going to make much difference) then I have a blow dryer or heat gun. Plus, whatever heat is created by your hands will either be nullified by a cool paint surface or insignificant on a warm paint surface. I think it is all a way to cause excess to be applied so they can sell you more.
 
I've used Victoria Concours Red Wax via applicator pad and hand application. I couldn't tell any difference.



The novelty was cool for about 5 minutes and then it just became messy, tiresome, and used too much product.
 
I have applied glasur only by hand so far. All others by applicator.



When I put glasur on by applicator I will comment on any differences.



Until then my take on hand waxing is that it can spread wax as thin as an applicator can. In terms of quantity used I would say roughly the same as an applicator because wax saturates the applicator as well.



The carressing feeling towards the car is the only big plus I think. I hope this doesn't sound pervert.
 
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