Waxing basics: How do you know if you're putting enough on?

[someidiot]

I'm just your average guy who is trying to maintain his car a little better than he has in the past. I have a very basic issue that I deal with, though.



How do you know if you're putting enough wax/sealant on a car instead of too little? For instance, today I put a nice dime-sized amount of 3M Performance Finish on a new microfiber applicator. I was working it into the paint in overlapping strokes back and forth. I could see the wax go on with the upstroke, then it would look like the backstroke would completely remove the wax. The only way to be *sure* that the wax is on the paint is to apply way too much so that it hazes almost immediately.



Another issue I've had is where it looks like the wax didn't apply evenly. By that I mean it would look like you took a comb and applied the wax so that some areas are covered and others aren't. I assume that the pad is evenly covered in wax, so I imagine it's more an appearance than a coverage issue.



So my question to you is, how do you handle this situation? Do you assume it's on the paint since you saw it go on the upstroke, even if it's removed on the backstroke? Do you assume that as long as there was wax on the applicator and the applicator came into contact with a section of paint, that that section is now covered?

 

[imported_NHBFAN]

So my question to you is, how do you handle this situation?

I cheat



To increase the spreadability (is that a word) of a paste I spritz my foam pad with a QD, e.g. #425 when applying 1000P, or E1 QD when applying a nuba.



I'm not sure if that compromises the product or not, but I apply frequently enough that I must be leaving some wax behind :grinno:



I'm old and lazy ... if removing a product is too difficult I also use a QD to cheat.

 

[someidiot]

I'm just wondering if you err on the side of applying too much to be sure it's on, or just applying a thin coat and hoping it's on there.



I might use 2-3 oz to cover a small car just so I can be absolutely sure it's on there, but that seems excessive

 

[DM101]

I have always used enough product to barely see the round circular pattern my Flex gives. When dry you should be able to run your finger across the area and notice it coming off and with a nice bright shine.

 

[Kean]

For me (IME), it really depends on the product but I typically find the adage “less is more� usually applies. Thin, even layers is the SOP. With some products (especially on some paint colors) it can be hard to tell just how much is being applied to the surface of the finish. When in doubt (usually when getting familiar with a new product) I will usually swipe the product-dampened applicator across one of the windows. This makes it visually apparent if I am getting proper transfer and evenness.

 

[Accumulator]

I guess everyone here knows that I'm kinda a fanatic about doing my LSPs very thin...I make sure my applicator is properly primed/loaded with product, and I try to be as even as possible when applying, going over an area more than once (or using a polisher) to avoid the "comb effect". Once you get the hang of it, that effect will be merely a sign of where the product is a little too heavy and it'll just be some excess residue getting wiped away, you'll still have sufficient coverage on the areas where you don't see that.



While I fog the surface with my breath primarily to add a touch of moisture when buffing off the residue, the condensation can also help you see how the product is distributed on the panel; it's easier to evaluate than when "dry".

 

[Mindflux]

I might use 2-3 oz to cover a small car just so I can be absolutely sure it's on there, but that seems excessive

2-3 ounces? Good grief. Yeah that's certainly excessive.

 

[someidiot]

2-3 ounces? Good grief. Yeah that's certainly excessive.

I'm a bad estimator, but I would bet 2 oz is a good estimate. I definitely go over the necessary amount.



I just reapplied wax today and had the same sort of issue.. if I applied using a circular motion, I could see the product on, then a further swipe appeared to remove the product. I'm not sure if waxes need "dwell time" to adhere or if the couple of seconds it was on there was enough time. Actually I bet it's still on there, it's just no longer as heavy as it used to be. I don't know why a wet applicator would be able to remove it all and make it look dry.

 

[Accumulator]

2-3 ounces? Good grief. Yeah that's certainly excessive.

Yeah, I use *FAR* less than that to do the minivan and/or the Yukon XL, and that includes all the jambs.



But then I've never used 3M Performance Finish, so I dunno about the way subsequent passes seem to wipe it all off :nixweiss

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Don't worry. It is a very good question.



I have Arctic White on my car and it is damn near impossible to see that wax has even been applied in certain light. I've actually thought about switching to a black wax because of it.



If I'm using an OTC wax like Meg's NXT 2.0, I will usually do 2 or 3 thin coats everywhere. Don't worry if it looks like the backstroke is removing the wax; just keep on. The wax is there.



I don't what kind of climate you are in, but fogging the surface with your breath doesn't work in a hot, humid climate like here on the Gulf coast. It does work in the winter time though.

 

[Accumulator]

...fogging the surface with your breath doesn't work in a hot, humid climate..

Right, gotta admit that sort of thing sometimes slips my mind Yeah, things must get mighty steamy in your locale, even here in Ohio I'll turn on the shop's A/C now and then.



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