What is the general idea on how to apply waxes? I know some waxes are made to be applied by hand, as is Swissvax, but on the other 'normal' waxes do you apply by hand or machine?
I agree. Thinner is better and it goes on nice and thin with a foam applicator. I even apply Vintage with an applicator. I melt a little in my palm and then apply it to an applicator and then the car.
exactly! rub in hands and wipe on my 4" pad i do the same with a few of my soft waxes - Vic Concours/Choas for eg
Wax Applicators Foam wax applicators are probably the most utilised car accessory there is. The reason being they are cheap, but absolutely perfect for the application of any type of car wax or sealant. These are the most inexpensive but possibly the most useful car care product, constructed from high quality closed cell soft polymer foam they are pliable, strong and efficient and most are machine washable. One caveat: avoid the mistake of improper usage, i.e. overuse, cross-contamination, dehydrated pads, and insufficient cleansing after use. I would recommend dampening the applicator for best results, as the damp applicator enables the user to apply a uniform thin layer of wax. • Chemical Guys – Wax + Dressing Applicators (W-APS) • Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicator - made of quality closed cell soft poly-foam that is pliable, strong, and efficient. • Zymol Monza Foam Car Wax Applicator Pads - are ultra soft and use a tight cell structure to offer safe and even application of product on a variety of surfaces. • Dodo Juice - Supernatural Finger Mitt Wax Applicator - these hand-stitched foam ‘finger mitts’ are therefore made from high density 110ppi foam – the softest you can get. Wax is kept on the surface of the paint, rather than being absorbed back into the applicator, due to it being made from closed cell foam. They give you the ‘feel’ of applying wax by your fingertips, but with the consistency of foam pad application. Washing - After using foam pads place in some water with P21S Total Auto Wash or Optimum Power Clean or a microfiber detergent; this keeps your pads moist and begins the cleaning process while you finish detailing; pads can be rotated by soaking and squeezing out reside. Never allow a used application pad to air dry before it is washed.
I like the red Uber applicators for applying waxes. If you do not mind getting your hands a little messy you can use both sides. They are far more durable than the yellow foam applicators. The red applicators seem to be the same material as red foam pads. I clean them with Optimum Power Clean. I have tried the polishing pal with a 4-in foam pad but prefer the ease of use of the Uber. Your hand is higher off the paint so it can be "tippy" and less maneuverable in tight spots.
