Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

[RaskyR1]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

I also find the DA to be quicker and find it gives a more uniform application. I will however apply paste waxes by hand with a foam applicator. Applying it with bare hands just seems silly and it's nothing more than a marketing ploy IMO.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

There are a few very high end (ie extremely expensive) boutique waxes that actually recommend this application method. If you're not using one of those waxes then there really is nothing to be gained by a bare hand application of a wax.

[Expertcarpetcare]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

I had a little fun waxing a car by hand today. I was using gold class (LOL) and smucked and smeared it on. I think I need quite a bit more practice, it went on pretty thick and didnt look very pretty when I was done. I also worry about chemical additives getting into my system through the skin so I dont think I would do this every day.

Anyway, I smucked it on by hand as best as I could but it went on pretty thick. I did the other side of the car with the DA. It went on faster, looked better, came off easier for sure. I carefully inspected each side after hand buffing off the excess wax from both sides. Both sides looked nicely waxed. There was no streaking issues on either side of this black vehicle. I carefully inspected for resoloution of reflection and no noticable difference either. Color tone looked the same on both sides. In the end, no noticable visual difference. As far as how long it would last and other factors, only time will tell.

In the end, I think the only real purpose for using hands is to melt the harder waxes that do not apply easily to foam applicator pads, as well as the fact if it is super expensive boutique wax then an experienced "hand applicator" could probably cover a car with far less wasted product than what would have been absorbed by a foam pad.

[nothelle]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

I only know a UK based wax (initial RB) that needs hand application, but that's simply because the heat from the hand would activate the oil within, hence easier application just like expertcarpetcare mentioned. Otherwise i'd keep it simple and see which application is better for each wax and easier for me to do. NXT paste is soft enough for me to use applicator pad, i can just squeeze out the pad to have the wax re-appear on the pad surface and reapply it to the panel. Or in case of m16 i'd prefer D/A application just simply because i want that really thin layer for easy removal.

[FRS]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

There are a few very high end (ie extremely expensive) boutique waxes that actually recommend this application method. If you're not using one of those waxes then there really is nothing to be gained by a bare hand application of a wax.

.. and also nothing to loose by applying wax by a bare hand.

IMO, it comes to personal preference .. I've been applying the wax both ways, both equally good, with slightly better result in hand application.

In hard to reach spots, it's easier to control hand/fingers then the DA pad.

[Shizane2002]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

By hand like......literally with your hands? O_o

Well....I just fully waxed my whole car on Friday and it actually added swirlies. I used the same method I've always used. Which has always been fine before.

I'm going to try this hand technique. I think it would be okay if your hands are clean. Sounds more logical to use your hands than an applicator.

[nothelle]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

By hand like......literally with your hands? O_o

Well....I just fully waxed my whole car on Friday and it actually added swirlies. I used the same method I've always used. Which has always been fine before.

I'm going to try this hand technique. I think it would be okay if your hands are clean. Sounds more logical to use your hands than an applicator.

Yes...by bare hand, just like applying lotion to your skin Have to at least try it once in your life..........

[Shizane2002]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

I just did this today. I used #26 Yellow Tech Wax for the first time ever on the car.

#26 is, by far, the single best wax I've ever applied to my car. It had literally made the color deeper, the shine is very bright, it smoothed out the factory orange peel, removed any remaining swirlies, and made water not bead up....but rather form channels and flow in little streams off the car completely.

I've NEVER been this impressed with wax in my 9 years of detailing. Thank you Meguiars.

I also applied this wax by my hands alone. I absolutely LOVE this technique over using an applicator. My hands gave me more feedback in regards to applying the wax. I sprayed Ultimate Detailer on the paint and I then applied the wax so there's a nice layer of lubrication to assist in evenly smooting the wax out.

Doing this by hand is by far the best way to do this in my experience.

[Shizane2002]

Re: Applying wax by hand, does it make a difference?

I just did this today. I used #26 Yellow Tech Wax for the first time ever on the car.

#26 is, by far, the single best wax I've ever applied to my car. It had literally made the color deeper, the shine is very bright, it smoothed out the factory orange peel, removed any remaining swirlies, and made water not bead up....but rather form channels and flow in little streams off the car completely.

I've NEVER been this impressed with wax in my 9 years of detailing. Thank you Meguiars.

I also applied this wax by my hands alone. I absolutely LOVE this technique over using an applicator. My hands gave me more feedback in regards to applying the wax. I sprayed Ultimate Detailer on the paint and I then applied the wax so there's a nice layer of lubrication to assist in evenly smooting the wax out.

Doing this by hand is by far the best way to do this in my experience.