Why do it by hand ? (palm/hand application)

[derek80]

FYI

Originally Posted by Bence

"Applying wax with the bare hands is not a new technique, it was used in the 60's, and I suspect that it had been used by people at sometime or another over the last 100 years. It just produces the best possible look and protection. Wax is at its very best when the wax from the original jar or tin is in that same concentrations. The hands are less porous than applicators and no carrier solvents will be absorbed. What is in the jar or tin is now in the proper concentrations on the finish. Bare hand waxing will benefit any wax-based product by any manufacture. In the right hands it could make the difference between a good job and an excellent job. If you are like me, waxing the finish is the final step and the most rewarding. One coat of wax is not enough and ten coats seems reasonable. We are all guilty of over using wax applicators to the point that we have to wring out the liquid solvent collected every once in a while to continue getting a good mix. And most of us seal the moist wax applicator back in the jar or tin to be ready for the next round of waxing. I am not saying that any one particular technique is for everyone, I just know what I like and find rewarding. If you wish to use a wax applicator, keep a few extra on hand so the wax is applied full strength and not diluted with the carrier solvent. Too much carrier solvent in an applicator pad could easily remove some of the wax as well. Messaging in and spreading thinly by the bare hands has its benefits too. You could do a test right now, you must have a high-end wax in your collection of car care products. Just use the finger tips first to apply a small amount to the driver's front top fender. Work it in and massage it around, let it stand. Slowly you will see a large amount of wax attaching to the surface. 1000s of small specks of carnauba and other waxes, depending on the manufacturer's formula. Buff with a clean towel and repeat in a few minutes. A major bonus to many of the waxes coming to market in the last few year is the use of extremely low (VOC) volatile organic content solvents, many of these solvents are used in the skin care industry and have been adapted with a multitude of different high boiling points and KB ratings. In other words, don't bare hand a wax that is stinky." : David Wyllie Sr. (owner of Victoria Wax)

Original thread : Why do it by - Detailing World

Originally Posted by waxy

Personal preferance will dictate wheather you apply fine waxes(*****,SwissVax,Victoria) by foam applicator,or by bare hand.

However, there is some truth in the theory that applying by bare hand is best because you use the wax in its intended concentration, straight from the jar, your hands do not absorb any of the solvent/liquid carrier.

When you use an applicator (foam) during application, the foam will absorb the solvent/liquid carrier, thus changing the concentration of the wax, eg each new swipe you make into the wax to apply to the next panel, is with an applicator that is gorged with solvent/liquid carrier.

Original thread : Z Concours by hand? Not anymore! - Page 5 - Detailing World

[Squeak Squad]

Interesting post. I'm assuming this would work with any wax? I'm about to do my explorer. Maybe I'll try some P21 by hand...

[derek80]

I have no idea, hope others chime in.

[Mikeyc]

I was always a big proponent of using the bare handed method with high carnauba content waxes like Zymol, Swissvax, etc. (P21S does not qualify in this category ). I felt that you needed the warmth of your hands to liquify the poduct to the point where it could be spread across the paint.

I had experimented a bit with the yellow wax applicator pads and these waxes but it always made the wax come out of the jar clumpy.

Then one day I bought some Chemical Guy's Pete's 53 wax. It came with 2 durafoam wax applicators. After I decided Pete's was not up to my standards, I decided to use the applicator with some Zymol. It worked phenomenally. The wax went on the car MUCH more evenly and thinly than by hand. This in turn made it easier to buff off the excess. I later used the same type of applicator with Swissvax and had the same success.

So now I use an applicator and won't go back. However, I only use the durafoam applicators.

[derek80]

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

I decided to use the applicator with some Zymol. It worked phenomenally. The wax went on the car MUCH more evenly and thinly than by hand. This in turn made it easier to buff off the excess.

I also used foam app when I first tried SW Concorso few months ago (thanks to Bob), and it was relatively easy on/off. Like Kevin (picus) mentioned in his review thread, Concorso was "grainy". So I first used bare hand to melt/apply/spread as far as I can, and then spread it evenly with a foam app.

But if all these high-end waxes are indeed designed to be used with bare hand (assuming their claims are true) and considering that we paid a lot of money for them, IMO I'd try to get comfortable with bare hand application (that's what I'm working on right now, but it's not that easy).

[Mikeyc]

Originally Posted by derek80

I also used foam app when I first tried SW Concorso few months ago (thanks to Bob), and it was relatively easy on/off. Like Kevin (picus) mentioned in his review thread, Concorso was "grainy". So I first used bare hand to melt/apply/spread as far as I can, and then spread it evenly with a foam app.

But if all these high-end waxes are indeed designed to be used with bare hand (assuming their claims are true) and considering that we paid a lot of money for them, IMO I'd try to get comfortable with bare hand application (that's what I'm working on right now, but it's not that easy).

I used bare handed application for many years with Zymol. I prefer the CG durafoam applicator to bare hand application any day of the week. It's much easier and results in less product waste.

[Detail_Guy]

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

It's much easier and results in less product waste.

It's also a lot easier on the hands. Many years ago, I use to apply waxes by hand as described. The solvents and cleaners in those products didn't do my hands any good.

The products nowadays seem to have less solvents, or at least the solvents aren't as "nasty". However, I'll stick with applicators. I do use a couple applicators to apply a wax to any vehicle, and I use a latex glove.

One exception is Zaino, which does not contain any solvents. So, you don't have to apply it by hand, and it would be a waste of product to do so.

[Dogged]

I have applied Vintage and Concorso only by hand. I have not tried using an applicator pad. As derek80 mentioned, since those waxes are so expensive, and the manufacturers advise hand application, that is what I have done. Hand application certainly is a lot more work than using a pad. In view of Mikeyc's experience, I will try the CG durafoam pad (when I get a few at some point).

I have never used more than one pad when applying wax with a pad, and did not know there is a reason to do so. Is it advisable to use more than one pad when applying any wax with a pad, particularly a foam pad where the product is not absorbed by the pad to the extent of a cloth pad?

[agentf1]

When applying a paste wax my applicator never gets wet with solvents.

I usually dissolve Zymol Concours in my palm since it is so grainy and then put it on an applicator to apply to car. If I do not do this it is too clumpy and feels sandy. I also hate hand application and seem to leave scratches on finish no matter how soft my hands are. It also appears to apply it very uneven IMHO. Who ever came up with the hand application is @#$% #$#% in my opinion.

[TOGWT]

Zymol Carnauba Waxes and Glazes (hand application):
Zymol and Swissvax do not endorse the use of an applicator for use with their Estate waxes and glazes for optimum results. They use natural Môn tan oils as opposed to solvent oils, applying them with a foam applicator would absorb some of this oil perhaps having a detrimental effect on its aesthetics. One of the main reasons given for using a foam applicator is to avoid waiting the required three hours in a warm climate / environment to buff the surface a second time to remove any excess oil

Hand application is an essential step that should be utilized in order to soften the compound and also to spread the wax without excessive waste. Estate waxes and glazes in their latent state are enzymes and when used the heat transfer from the warmth of the hands acts as a catalyst to turn the product into a wax ready for application. You need patience for this process; it is time consuming to apply wax with bare hands (don’t forget to remove rings) but the results are worth it. Use soft latex gloves; they are effective because latex will not scratch, and will prevent wax from soaking into your hands, it also helps prevent accidental marring from rough palms and from finger nails.

Put a very small amount of the glaze to the palm of your hand. Use the warmth of your hands to melt and activate the Carnauba wax, as in its latent state its an enzyme and when used the heat transfer from the warmth of the hands acts as a catalyst to turn the product into a wax ready for application. With your hand, gently apply the glaze in a light, even singular direction pattern over no more than three or four-square feet of painted surface. Let stand for 30 to 60 seconds. Using moderate to heavy pressure, wipe very slowly with a 100% Cotton Micro-fibre Alpine DF-Towel™ (folded once) to a brilliant lustre before wax is totally dry. Wait three to four hours, to ensure all the solvents have outgassed and then lightly buff the paint again to perfect the shine.

Alternative products –
Swissvax Concorso / Best of Show - http://www.detailersdomain.com
Zymol Vintage Estate Glaze - Zymol Car Care Products & Accessories
Pinnacle Souverän Paste Carnauba - We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store
Victoria Concours Red Wax - Victoria Wax

Information resources-
Why apply wax with bare hands? By David Wyllie
Zymol Internet website

TOGWT ™ Copyright © 2002-2007. Jon Miller, all rights reserved