After a proper waxing, a vehicle should have a fresh, wet appearance.
After a thorough washing and polishing, a well-executed wax job can bring a shine to a car's exterior. While a polish uses abrasives to create a smooth outer coat, wax protects the paint by forming a sealant on a car's body. Choosing the right method for applying wax depends on your experience and comfort level.
Hand Application
When applying wax to your vehicle by hand, you need a soft, clean cloth and a wax product. Apply the wax to the cloth and begin gently massaging the substance onto the exterior of your car. Focus on a specific panel on your car and use small, circular motions to distribute the wax evenly over the car's paint. Perform the procedure in a shaded area to ensure the wax does not dry too quickly in the sunlight.
Orbital Application
Orbital buffer tools come in different varieties, including pneumatic or electric. The head of the orbital buffer spins in a continuous circle and moves slightly off-center to imitate the motion of your hands. Apply the wax product to the center of the orbital buffer head and turn on the machine. Begin gently moving the buffer equally over the car's body; don't push too hard, but keep the buffer pressed against the car's exterior. Move the buffer up and down the vehicle until an even layer of wax has been applied. If you are a novice with the orbital buffer, practice on a piece of scrap metal before moving to your car.
Hand Wax Advantages
With a hand wax, the main advantage is the ease of use. There are no machines or tools to learn use. Additionally, you do not have to pay for an orbital buffer, making hand application an inexpensive option. With a hand wax, you have more control over the application of the product. Where an orbital buffer can pose a hazard to your car's paint by creating heat from friction, a hand wax poses very few risks to your car.
Orbital Wax Advantages
Once you learn use an orbital buffer for waxing your vehicle, the main benefit is the speed of use. The revolutions per minute of an orbital buffer are much higher than that of your hands. Additionally, an orbital buffer requires far less wax than a hand application, saving money in that department. Experienced auto detailers who know operate an orbital buffer typically produce better results than a basic hand application.
