Im Making a Homemade Wax

PAR Detailing said:
I dont mind sharing a few of my notes. I learned quickly that you need to make sure you have enough solvent in the mix. The first couple I made were solid as a rock and felt like a candle more than anything. They were totally unworkable. I played around with it some more andeventually created a wax that was workable and atleast able to put on a vehicle. I have also created waxes that wouldnt solidify because of too much solvent. It really is trial and error (atleast when you are doing it at home) and you dont have a degree in chem.

Basically I started out randomly mixing ingredients together but I then eventually started to hone in on what ingredients do certain things. The orange oil will now create a new challenge when that comes in in a day or two.

From here on out Ill take pictures of the waxes and post them here so youall can see what I mean and what they look like.

Thanks for the encouragement fellas

Jon
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Can't wait... :Picture:
 
Hell, I think it's a great idea, why not! Sure, we can go out and buy just about anything we want but why not give it a try, what can you lose but a few bucks and your own time.

I made Maple Syrup a couple of times. It was a ton of work but in the end it was mine and no one died from using it! :laughing:

Keep us updated on your progress!! :props:
 
PAR Detailing said:
I dont mind sharing a few of my notes. I learned quickly that you need to make sure you have enough solvent in the mix. The first couple I made were solid as a rock and felt like a candle more than anything.
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Making a hard wax isn't alway bad either, depends on how it works when it gets warm is the trick! Look at colinite wax (915 I think). It's very hard like a candle wax, but when applied it loosens up and is workable. I used to make candles as a side business so I'm fairly familiar with that process. I went as far as making a wax melter out of a crockpot, drilled a spigot for it and everything!
 
BobbyG said:
Hell, I think it's a great idea, why not! Sure, we can go out and buy just about anything we want but why not give it a try, what can you lose but a few bucks and your own time.

I made Maple Syrup a couple of times. It was a ton of work but in the end it was mine and no one died from using it! :laughing:

Keep us updated on your progress!! :props:
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Thats exactly what I though, even if I do not create anything worth of selling to guys like everyone here on AG it is a fun challenge and really educational.

jayhkr said:
Making a hard wax isn't alway bad either, depends on how it works when it gets warm is the trick! Look at colinite wax (915 I think). It's very hard like a candle wax, but when applied it loosens up and is workable. I used to make candles as a side business so I'm fairly familiar with that process. I went as far as making a wax melter out of a crockpot, drilled a spigot for it and everything!
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I actually like a hard wax, sure it takes a little more effort to apply but I enjoy it more. If I am doing alot of cars or Im restricted on time I enjoy a easy wax but if it is my own personal vehicle or a high end one I like a harder wax.
 
now once you have a workable and nice product, you will need to experiment with UV absorbers to add to formula correct ??
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
now once you have a workable and nice product, you will need to experiment with UV absorbers to add to formula correct ??
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I didnt really think about that yet honestly. I will look into it to see if it is something I can incorporate into it. Does carnauba not provide any UV protection? I though it did... but I could be mistaken
 
Ok so I have been researching and killer you are correct carnauba doe not have UV absorbers. I am looking into getting a uv absorber but I dont know what to get. Do most waxes have UV absorbers? Does fusion, souverain, maxwax and the like have uvabsorbers? I guess I am curious as to how important it is to a car wax
 
I only know and have heard that UV protection needs to be added to most waxes and sealants. It also appears its different than those used in suntan lotions for instance. I also have heard its quite expensive.

I do believe it is used in more high end boutique products, but can not say specifically whats used or which products. 303 Protectant has offered it uses the best and most UV protectants, perhaps they will offer some advice ???
 
PAR Detailing said:
Ok so I have been researching and killer you are correct carnauba doe not have UV absorbers. I am looking into getting a uv absorber but I dont know what to get. Do most waxes have UV absorbers? Does fusion, souverain, maxwax and the like have uvabsorbers? I guess I am curious as to how important it is to a car wax
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just add a drop of sunblock lotion to it .. Im the MAN
 
Sounds like a great progject I hope for the best. Id gladly be a tester
 
I confess I am skeptical about the UV protection of car waxes and sealants. How much UV protection is the microscopic layer of wax protection really going to give, even with added "UV inhibitors." To my ears it all sounds like advertising selling points.

My guess is that the clearcoat provides the protection against UV radiation. The job of the wax is to protect the clearcoat.

But that's just my uneducated guess. Take it with multiple grains of salt ...
 
akimel said:
I confess I am skeptical about the UV protection of car waxes and sealants. How much UV protection is the microscopic layer of wax protection really going to give, even with added "UV inhibitors." To my ears it all sounds like advertising selling points.

My guess is that the clearcoat provides the protection against UV radiation. The job of the wax is to protect the clearcoat.

But that's just my uneducated guess. Take it with multiple grains of salt ...
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After looking into it alot today I am beginning to think the same. I had read that UV absorbers in the clearcoat are only 1-2% of the clearcoat so it makes me wonder how important it is in a wax...
I am only thinking out loud here
 
FWIW, from Meguiar's FAQ:

Some waxes do contain UV-protection agents, but the amount of protection that a microscopically thin layer of wax can provide is limited

The primary goal of a wax is to protect the top layers of paint that contain UV-protection agents from the paint manufacture. If you wash and wax your car regularly, your paint will be protected and you should suffer no major UV damage over the normal course of the life of the car.

Don't be fooled by some companies that lead you to believe that it is the UV protection in a wax that protects your car's finish from fading and failure, this is dishonest and simply not true. Taking care of the paint you presently have will go further to protect your finish than relying on protection supplied by a liquid you pour out of a bottle, or a wax you scoop out of a can. UV protection in a car wax formula is only an extra-dose of preventative maintenance, not the end-all, cure-all that some companies would lead you to believe.

UV protection for paint is much different from UV blocking ingredients for human skin. The two formulas are nothing alike and work in drastically different ways. There is no correlation between the ratings applied to the different levels of sun blocking protection for products intended for use on human skin and the ingredients available for use in an automotive wax formula. Sad to say, much of what you see advertised about the protective qualities of most car care products on the market today is simply over-exaggerated hype used to separate you from your hard earned dollars.
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I do not know how we laymen can get to the truth on this question (as with many others). Manufacturers can make claims without any accountability.
 
I certainly agree that UV protection primarily comes from the clearcoat, but adding a wax for anything more than beauty means I want "any" additional protection however small. I dont see it hurting and perhaps helping however small.

I look at it like this, headlamps on most cars discolor and fade over time without protection. By using Plexus religiously on all my headlamps/taillamps I still have crisp and clear lamps. I feel the benefit is there however small a coating is, and certainly seems to have worked versus just wiping with a wax/sealant with no UV benefits. Just my thoughts ... couldnt paint be somethat similar.
 
Ok so here is the latest and greatest to date. This is wax #7. This one is very soft and easy to apply. I incorporated the orange oil in this one and I like that better than turpentine. This is also the slickest wax I have created to date.

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I am thinking about applying this one to my car... It needs to be waxed so I may do an IPA wipedown and give it a shot atleast on the hood
 
As my Father used to say when he formulated his own waxes in serch of the perfect combination ! “Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing."

I hope everyone realizes just because there are 100's of waxes out there it does not mean there is not room for one more !
 
Wax Gorilla said:
As my Father used to say when he formulated his own waxes in serch of the perfect combination ! “Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing."
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This is so true and part of human habit. Hard to break that habit....


Wax Gorilla said:
Call it "SLICK SEVEN" ! :)
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My vote is for "PAR 7"
 
akimel said:
I confess I am skeptical about the UV protection of car waxes and sealants. How much UV protection is the microscopic layer of wax protection really going to give, even with added "UV inhibitors." To my ears it all sounds like advertising selling points.

My guess is that the clearcoat provides the protection against UV radiation. The job of the wax is to protect the clearcoat.

But that's just my uneducated guess. Take it with multiple grains of salt ...
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Isn't sun tan lotion a thin microscopic layer too?? That seems to work well. Any added protection is always better than none at all IMO.
 
Get that Par 7 working right and you have one more thing to add to your marketing. "We protect your vehicle with our exclusive Par 7 paste wax"
 
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