PC7424XP - Waxing

Y2KSVT

Y2KSVT

New member
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
823
Reaction score
0
What is the consensus on waxing with a DA? I've heard most everyone say they don't apply any pressure when applying wax with their machine on speed 3 or 4. When I do this, using only the weight of the polisher, the pad does not spin smoothly on the surface of the paint and doesn't really apply the wax evenly. I end up putting about 5-10lbs of pressure on the polisher and I feel it works very well. I know, I know, "do what works best for you." I'm just curious if anyone else has this issue, or if there might be something wrong with my polisher or my technique. I'm sure the pad is flat on the surface, if that helps.

Mark
 
This is exactly the reason I prefer using my Flex 3401 for applying wax. I think you would have to put some pressure when using a PC to keep the pad rotating.
 
i usually allow the weight of the DA to wax the paint w/a blue pad. no issues w/me spinning the pad at speed 3.5
 
Not sure why you're having a problem. I apply wax with a blue pad, speed 3 - 4 and no pressure - just the weight of the machine. You do have to pay a bit of attention to keeping the pad level to the surface at that speed, but I have no probs keeping the pad spinning.
 
HeavyMetal said:
Not sure why you're having a problem. I apply wax with a blue pad, speed 3 - 4 and no pressure - just the weight of the machine. You do have to pay a bit of attention to keeping the pad level to the surface at that speed, but I have no probs keeping the pad spinning.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

Also you can apply the wax in this method fairly quickly as you are only spreading the wax across the surface. I love applying wax with a D/A as it is very fast and leaves a very thin and even coat on the entire surface.
 
Pad rotation isn't vitaly important when applying a finishing wax. It is if you're doing correction work with a one-step cleaner/wax but not if you're just applying a wax or sealant to a finish already in excellent condition.

I use a soft wax pad on put any of the DA Polishers on the 4.0 to 5.0 speed setting. I find the 3.0 to underpowered and foam pads feel squishy like they're dragging behind the polisher as I move it over the paint.

Also, unlike defect removal steps you can tackle as large an area as you can reach or you have enough product to maintain a wet-film on the surface s you're making passes.

A forum friend shared this technique to check how much product is still on the pad and that was to touch the pad down on one of the windows as this will indicate how much product is on the face of the pad. (Make sure the windows are clean of course).


You want to apply a thin coating but should always see a wet film of product behind your path-of-travel...

Wet film behind your path-of-travel
Wetfilmbehindyourpath-of-travel.jpg
 
When applying a wax or sealant with a DA, the pad doesn't have to necessarily rotate. As long as it is oscillating and spreading the wax or sealant, you good!


Mike beat me to it.
 
i use the 5 speed on my PC when applying wax with a red pad. very slight pressure. i get a nice even thin layer of wax applied to the paint. anything slower than 5 speed doesnt work for me.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Pad rotation isn't vitaly important when applying a finishing wax. It is if you're doing correction work with a one-step cleaner/wax but not if you're just applying a wax or sealant to a finish already in excellent condition.
Click to expand...

Agree Mike. But ya gotta admit the wax does spread faster and more evenly if you keep the pad rotating.

Which pad are you using for your "wax pad"? I'm using the blue 5.5" LC flat pads. Is there a better choice in your opinion? I will try bumping the speed like you do. It is a bit tedious doing it at 3 - 4.
 
I think that's just it. I was applying Natty's Red Paste Wax to my wife's car this weekend on speed 4 with an LC flat grey pad, and with no pressure added, the machine just wanted to shake and bounce around. With that technique, the wax just seemed to blotch itself onto the paint at best. I had to put a little bit of pressure on the machine to keep it from shaking and the wet film looked just like what Mike posted, where it's clear the pad was spinning a little bit. I'll try speed 5 this weekend when I wax my car. Thanks, guys!

Mark
 
HeavyMetal said:
Agree Mike. But ya gotta admit the wax does spread faster and more evenly if you keep the pad rotating.
Click to expand...

Yes sir, I do agree because the pad will tend to move over the paint easier, it's just not mandatory. Actually, on speeds like the 3 and 4, if you watch your pad for an extended period of time as you're moving it you'll see that sometimes it's rotating and sometimes it's just jiggling. The key point is if you're applying a finishing wax or sealant that the goal is to spread out a uniform layer over the surface and you can do this with or without pad rotation.

:)
 
Y2KSVT said:
I was applying Natty's Red Paste Wax to my wife's car this weekend on speed 4 with an LC flat grey pad, and with no pressure added, the machine just wanted to shake and bounce around.
Click to expand...

A couple of things,

How slippery a product is affects how well a pad rotates and glides during application and liquids tend to offer more slipperiness or lubricity than paste waxes, not always but in general.

Also, there's a phenomena related to DA style polishers and that at the higher speeds if there is no pressure applied to the head of the tool but just very light contact between the surface and the pad, the pad will more or less just vibrate, jiggle, flutter, whatever you want to call it.
(Experiment some time to see for yourself)

As soon as you start applying some downward pressure to the head of the polisher, the pad will start to rotate.

So some pressure, even light pressure is preferable versus zero pressure even for spreading out a coating of wax.


:)
 
With the exception of faster application time, is there another reason for using a machine instead of applying by hand? Is it a better result? Im guessing in the tighter areas you would need to apply by hand anyway.
 
fj610 said:
With the exception of faster application time, is there another reason for using a machine instead of applying by hand? Is it a better result? Im guessing in the tighter areas you would need to apply by hand anyway.
Click to expand...

"Thin is in" I just started used my machine to apply wax and the first time I used Liquid Souvern and only used maybe 1/3 ounce to cover my whole car. I was amazed how little product I used. When I apply by hand I use almost an ounce. When you apply heavy it is harder to wipe off and what you do wipe off is just wasted product. So if I can get 3 applications by machine with the same amount of product I would use for 1 application by hand then I am triple-ing my money.
Yes you still have to do the small/tight areas by hand but it's really not that much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top