Is hand application necessary for optimum results?

In your guys' opinion, is there any benefit obtained via hand application of high end carnauba waxes?

 

YouTube - Costly Car Detailing *Crazy*

In this video Dalton says that "the warmth of your hands acts as a catalyst".

I have a lot of respect for his work but I pesonally don't believe it. The only way I see this making any difference is it you live in a cold climate. Maybe I should just put the wax in the microwave before I apply it.

I think the guy in the video is a member here. Maybe he can chime in.


I have tried it though.. I think I just waste more wax by doing it by hand. I was concerned when doing it that the oils in my hand and sweat would cause the appearance to look streaky but it didn't.

 

I personally don't see any benefit to applying via hand but it really comes down to preference. You can generate heat from your applicator simply by applying your LSP with increased pressure and speed.

 

Some like 'by hand' but I found I could get application more even with an applicator.

 

Just a matter of tactile preference. Some people find it therapeautic, but other than that I really don't see a benefit in terms of performance. If you want heat you can simply warm up the wax with the halogens, which generate more heat than your hands. When you apply by hand you use up a lot more product and if the cc is soft you risk marring the paint.

 

OK. I prefer to use an applicator myself, but what about waxes that call for hand app. like Z*mol Titanium.?

 

Half the stuff Zymol says is bogus, like "leather feeding." Maybe it has a benefit in the fact that your hands won't absorb wax/sealant like an applicator would.

 

IMO, just part of the marketing hype to try to make them stand out from the rest and justify the price in people's mind . There is no wax out there that can not be applied with an applicator. Plus they know that if you apply by hand you will run out of it sooner, so more money in their pockets. By all means if people like applying by hand, go for it, it is part of the great experience and fun. You could take Souveran or any wax, put some on your hand and go to town.

 

I warm the wax in my hands, and then apply it to the applicator.
You need to warm it up, to get the oils flowing.

 

When you apply by hand you actually apply a much thicker coat and uses a lot more wax. Zymol does not disclose the ingredients in their waxes, but as someone else already said,I bet that if they did we would not be impressed nor think they are so high end.

 

Well I wouldn't say that if you apply wax by hand it's going to give you a better looking vehicle....it really comes down to personal preference.

Me, again this is just me, I prefer to apply wax by hand so I look for waxes that can be applied by hand...I don't really pay attention to how thick or thin I apply it.

The reason I like applying it by hand is becuase I enjoy man handeling the vehicles, I enjoy feeling every curve. When I apply wax by foam applicator I just don't get the same feeling but if you apply by foam applicator you will get a much thiner application, some people like that becuase they don't waist as much wax..but like I said I'm not after thin for me the thicker the better lol..but that's just me..oh and besides I never have to remove what I apply :whistle:

 

I actually liked applying Pinnacle Soveran via a PC and a finishing pad.... seemed to get great coverage and also seemed to 'work things' into the paint.

I can also see how some would like 'feeling up' their cars

I was also thinking that if you apply by hand and happen to pickup any debris (i.e. dust/dirt etc), you'll feel it much quicker on your hand -- which might make it safer?

 

"Hi I'm Chris Hansen from Dateline NBC's To Catch a Detailer."

 

lol..:lol2: but so true, my wifes tells me I enjoy applying wax way too much :shrug:

 

+1

 

:shead: Nevermind......no comment.

 

For one, the reason it is applied by hand is because the enzyme is heat activated. That means you must rub your hands together first. If you had a heated applicator pad that would work also. I also notice that I "feel" every square inch of the paint when applying by hand. I feel it's very easy to use, and the results speak for themselves.



John

 

Just curious... saw that talk about enzymes/ heat from hand. What enzymes are actually involved?

With some waxes that have things like 'teflon', you need so much heat for it to bind to the material that it really never becomes 'active'.