Waxing pattern

C

Curlydave

New member
I'm about to clay bar and wax my car for the first time. I've always read that you're supposed to wax the car in tight circles, (including on the wax bottle) but the Autopia starter program says to use back and forth motions, specifically saying don't use circles.



Can someone clarify this? Thanks!
 
Curlydave said:
I'm about to clay bar and wax my car for the first time. I've always read that you're supposed to wax the car in tight circles, (including on the wax bottle) but the Autopia starter program says to use back and forth motions, specifically saying don't use circles.



Can someone clarify this? Thanks!
Click to expand...





Some suggest circular patterns ensure overlapping so there is no uncovered area. You can achieve this back and forth though...



I would suggest back and forth for horizontal and up and down for vertical surfaces; especially with carnauba to get the best reflections...
 
Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead, but this is what happens when you do research =)



Waxing back and forth and up and down is the way you're supposed to do it then? If so, do I use long strokes or short line strokes? Is one line enough to apply the wax or should I be repeatedly go over the section with more and more lines? I'm scared I may be taking wax off if I do this. Do tell me if my theories are incorrect.



When waxing in small circles, it makes me feel like I am really applying the wax thoroughly. I don't know if I would get the same feeling using back and forth or up and down lines.



Thanks for the help!
 
The reason to put wax in a back and forth motion is to prevent the creation of swirls (if your pad or wax has contaminants in it). Swirls and fine scratches are in fact best noticed when they are circular, especially in the sun.

I start in the middle of the panel and apply as thin as possible. You can go over the section repeatedly as long as the wax isn't hazing yet. You won't remove the wax but spread it thinner.

Probably there will be other kind of procedures, but that's what works for me.
 
IMO as long as there's no contamination on your paint/waxing pad and you're using a nice soft applicator (i.e., as long as you're not marring the paint), it simply doesn't matter but I agree that the overlapping motions are more likely to ensure good coverage.



I've never seen any difference from the application direction (relative to vert/horiz panels).



I almost always apply my waxes by machine, and those use random-orbital motions. Heh heh, nobody criticizes the PC for not moving in straight lines ;)



I wouldn't worry about the wax coming off if you go over an area more than once, just don't overdo it. Remember that the *VAST* majority of the wax you apply gets buffed off anyhow.



Do whatever you think is giving you good results, IMO it's easy to overanalyze this one.
 
Yeah, i'm with ^ on this one.. I too have not noticed any difference in end results when applying wax in different ways. by hand, by machine, back and forth, circles, vertical, horizontal, blah blah blah. It all looks the same in the end :)



as for circular motions causing swirls, well.. the only reason a wax could be causing swirls is if the paint is dirty and/or the application pad is dirty and/or the application pad is low quality.
 
You aren't going to cause swirls with one motion but not another. If the pad is contaminated, you're going to scratch the car regardless of the direction of motion. Circular motions will introduce fillers to swirls from every angle, helping to fill them optimally. Straight motions may not accomplish this as effectively.

I always wax in straight lines because it seems easier and faster.
 
I normally wax with the PC but I am going to start by hand. Are the yellow foam pads (like the one that comes with Souveran) fine for wax application?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top