applying wax "by hand"??

Kinalyx

Kinalyx

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I’ve heard of people applying wax by hand(literally just hands) but haven’t ever looked into it. Is there any benefit of using your hands over an applicator or machine? Any disadvantages?

Shawn
 
I applied some Dodo Purple Haze with my fingers to try it out. Seems to work well, but my fingers were tired after doing the hood.
 
You can get into tighter areas easier like behind door handles. But its really more about personal preference. Just the feel of the paint under your hands . . .
 
I tried it for quite a few times with the Glasur and finally the last time I used a small applicator pad and for me at least it seemed to go on better, easier and faster and used way less product.
By hand I'd end up with the wax working its way around to the sides of my fingers.
I also found it easier to switch between wiping the panels off and applying more wax using an applicator rather than trying to wipe it off just using one hand.
 
id never do it cause my hands are not baby soft and be afraid i would scratch up my paint
 
I was thinking it seemed like a lot more product would be used if applied by hand. Ill stick with my pad/machine application methods

Shawn
 
I've done it that way and it was fun but frankly you can't beat applying by machine... Much more consistency , thinner coat and no wastes , without getting tired.
 
Kinalyx said:
I’ve heard of people applying wax by hand(literally just hands) but haven’t ever looked into it. Is there any benefit of using your hands over an applicator or machine? Any disadvantages?

Shawn
Click to expand...

I apply my Dodo Juice by hand on my vehicle. Would I do it on a paid job, not without getting paid for it. To me it is more enjoyable and relaxing this way; and I get a great workout on my hands and finger strength as I switch from one hand to the other. You may wind up apply more than needed initially but when you get the technique down to a science you will naturally use less product and the coat will be more uniform. If you are a monster and put globs on your fingers then hey you have more problems that this forum won't be able to solve for you. :-) Put another way, there is nothing to really lose with applying by hand; all things considered. And people don't say, "time will be lost" because that is a given and everyone values time differently.
 
Kinalyx said:
I was thinking it seemed like a lot more product would be used if applied by hand.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

I tried it a while back but didn't enjoy it. Lots of wax was wasted, it was put unevenly and too thick and my hands felt sticky from the wax residue for ages after.

I know Zymol "recommend" it due to heat activating some enzyme or something in their wax- just like they say to store it in the fridge but I guess their waxes are, ahem, "unique" haha.

For paste waxes I don't think you can beat the P21s wax applicator for coat thinness and ease of hol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so please excuse any grammatical errors
 
Kinalyx said:
I’ve heard of people applying wax by hand(literally just hands) but haven’t ever looked into it. Is there any benefit of using your hands over an applicator or machine? Any disadvantages?

Shawn
Click to expand...

My recommendation is to try it at least once so you have an opinion based upon real-world experience. Been there done that back in 1990 or 1991.

One benefit for sure is that if ANY type of abrasive particle enters into the application process you can feel it and STOP. Then remove the particle and continue on...


Here's a recent article on this topic...


Hand applying Dodo Juice Orange Crush Soft Wax with PJ from Dodo Juice!

With wax in hand, he's ready to start applying the wax to the paint...
1957BelairExtremeMakeover075.jpg



Here's a thin coating of Orange Crush...
1957BelairExtremeMakeover079.jpg





In the end, like so many things... personal preference...


:)
 
Until I saw the pic Mike posted I thought this was not practical but now that I think about it- 1- I like the idea if an abrasive enters the process I will know- 2- I can get all area's that the I can't with a buffer those taking less time that having to pull the pad off and then going back over the missed spots....Not sure I'll start doing it though.
 
Matt said:
:iagree:

I tried it a while back but didn't enjoy it. Lots of wax was wasted, it was put unevenly and too thick and my hands felt sticky from the wax residue for ages after.

I know Zymol "recommend" it due to heat activating some enzyme or something in their wax- just like they say to store it in the fridge but I guess their waxes are, ahem, "unique" haha.

For paste waxes I don't think you can beat the P21s wax applicator for coat thinness and ease of hol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so please excuse any grammatical errors
Click to expand...

I use those P21s applicators on my wife's Acadia with whatever liquid wax I have at the time. Love'em.
 
mwoolfso said:
I use those P21s applicators on my wife's Acadia with whatever liquid wax I have at the time. Love'em.
Click to expand...

Cool. Nice to know they work with liquid products too :dblthumb2:
 
When you consider the actual wax film thickness left on the finish after it's buffed off, my question is why would you want to waste so much good product?

Also consider that some waxes are meant to haze or dry before buffing!

Personally, I see no rationale behind this and don't subscribe to this method..... but that's just me...
 
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