What To Applly Wax With???

[-pimpin328is-]

i tried to search this but i couldn't find anything about what to apply the wax with. Im new to waxing, i bought some zymol and tried to apply it with some small "applicator pads" and they were just too small and didn't seem to work too well. Also how much do i use??? it says to wax in 2ftX2ft squares, like a few drops per square used

[Rooz]

go to your local car store and buy thos big cotton towels, they are big and yellow, and come in rolls of 3

ANd how much to use,... Like humm, a drop the size of a pennie per square feet. Rub that, do the next one, then come bck to first one rub it off, then rub off next one...

[exceldetail]

Consider small microfiber applicators or sponge applicators. You shouldnt need anything larger than 4-5 inches or youll be saturating the pad, and wasting product. Thin is key when applying waxes......

[MaThGr82]

I have had a good experience using the small 4" applicator foam pads. Excel is right, thin is better.

[Casey3561]

I just buy cheap towels and use those. Assuming the towel is pretty soft, there isn't any scratching. Of course, washing them with fabric softener is a plus.

[exceldetail]

Originally posted by Casey3561@Jan 30 2005, 04:00 PM
I just buy cheap towels and use those. Assuming the towel is pretty soft, there isn't any scratching. Of course, washing them with fabric softener is a plus.

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Fabric softeners arent really any advantage, especially when considering drying towels. Fabric softeners are actually water repellants.....Also consider that when you dump it in your next load of bath towels......! I understand your theory, but most solvent carriers used in wax/sealant/polish manufacturing will break that down rather quickly.....Casey, take one of your towels and rub it about 10 or so time across the grain of one of those AOL cd's that you get bombarded in the mail with weekly. Then inspect in the light, and see what you can find.....Whatever its leaving on the cd, its leaving on the painted surface....

[EnvyM3]

I use terrycloth towels, they are the softest. Regular towels will leave light scratch or swirl marks on your car. Use just enough wax to cover an area so it quickly dries, then wipe off. Do not glob it in.

[-pimpin328is-]

thanks for the replies....

that makes sense, the smaller the towel/rag/sponge the less product your soaking up..... i was just having a hard time because the applicator pads are smaller than my hand and is was hard to hold.....

[Clean_Image]

The absolute best thing for applying wax is a dense natural sponge. Some companies such as AutoSmart sell them, but sometimes you can get lucky and find them in a hardware store.
They are usually produced for washing the dishes and are about 3.5 inches long by 2.4 wide by .75 deep.

Because they are real natural sponge they dont scratch. What you do is wet it with plain water and then ring it out, this stops it soaking up too much wax.

When you are done, you just wash it out and it is ready to go for next time. they cost about £4, but they last for years.

[Chant]

Originally posted by MaThGr82@Jan 30 2005, 04:35 PM
I have had a good experience using the small 4" applicator foam pads. Excel is right, thin is better.

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I agree, use an applicator pad and go thin. if you really want that showroom shine consider multi staged waxing. Here is my routine:

Stage 1. Meguiar's Scratch X - this gets rid of any swirl patterns or scratches in the paint. Thankfully i only have some light scratches no swirls.

Stage 2 Carnauba wax for that deep shine and protection

Stage 3 Meguiar's Gold classic Clear Coat Protectant Wax for the UV protection and ultra shine

Finally in between waxes for touch ups and quick shines i use Meguiar's Quick detailers spray on wax. just spray it on and wipe it off and you got your showroom shine again.

I use a seperate applicator for each waxing stage and serperate microfiber cloths to remove the wax.

So that is my routine. Granted it takes a day or so if you are taking your time. Mine is garaged most of the time so i do it in stages.

What do you think???? too much????


Chant

[dangreen]

How can that be too much when the car shines like that after!! Good job!!

[Chant]

Originally posted by dangreen@Feb 17 2005, 03:01 PM
How can that be too much when the car shines like that after!! Good job!!

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Thanks i am glad that i am not the only one that thinks it is worth the effort LOL. there is one drawback though. getting a car cover on it is not easy. That sucker just slids right off everytime you try to get it over the car HAHA :lol:

oh well thank goodness for garages eh.


Chant

[JohnnyKwango]

Chant - Nice routine there! Almost identical to my own, and like dangreen says, how can it be too much when your car shines like that!!

You know your stuff alright and you can see the rewards in your cars finish. Spankin'!

When it comes to applying wax to your car, one thing to ensure is that your cloth is lint free!!!!!!!! I can't stress the importance of this enough. Imagine my horror when I saw a friend about to apply wax to his Z4 with a yellow duster!! Lint central!

As a couple of the guys have said, a nice terry cloth is a good way to go, but you could do a lot worse than an old t-shirt - the material is great for applying polish. Personally I use lint-free polishing cloths I buy in packs of 5 from my local Auto store. It's £5 for 5 cloths, but you cut em in half and you get 10 good-sized cloths. I'm not a fan of these pads - I rate Meguiars prodcuts highly but found the pads to be too damn finnicky; I couldn't grip them comfortably and it took too long to do the car.

[Casey3561]

I've found worn-out Tshirts best for polishing, as they are close-knit enough to remove excess wax well.

[CiscoKid]

use the applicator pad to apply, and make sure you get it a little moist first. I use spray wax to moisten the applicator