How do the pros here apply wax/polish by hand; circular motion or side to side?

 

I don't consider myself a pro, but the way to apply a wax or a polish by hand would be to use a gentle circular motion creating small circles and over lapping by about half. But when you get to posts or the upper part of the side doors like the ones on the sides of the windshield where you can't do a circular motion, then you can just use a back and forth motion just go over it a few times to make sure you covered it well. Make sure to keep waxes and polished off plastic/rubber trim, you can do this by using paint/trim safe tape that you can buy at a PBE store.

 

F-150AZ,that is exactly how I apply mine.The reason I ask is,the other day I noticed a pro detailer at my neighbors house applying wax to her truck side to side.......

 

I'm not really a pro either but I am **** about my cars, I just bought my truck and haven't gotten around to waxing it yet but here is what I do for my 92 Mustang and 01 Expy.


Step 1 - Wash car with Dawn detergent
Step 2 - Mothers clay bar
Step 3 - wash car with car wash soap
Step 4 - Meguires step 1 paint cleaner
Step 5 - Meguires step 2 paint polish
Step 6 - NXT wax with my orbital buffer.

I use a non-amonia based windex (can't think of the name) for any chrome, including wheels(Make sure they are cooled off),

and I use a detail spray for clean ups in between washings.

I do this either twice a year or the day before a Car show. Takes about 5-6 hours not including interior...of coarse this is on a smaller car.


Here are some pics:





This is after sitting for a year in my garage while I "upgraded some parts"

 

It might be a different product. I know Zymol's HD cleanse it to be applied in a side by side motion, but it's not a wax. But other than that my guess is as good as yours. I wonder why she doesn't use a PC DA polisher to apply wax, especially to a large truck. Next time ask her if it's not too awkward.

 

More of a personal preference. Like AZ, I use a very light, tight circle to apply wax. If I'm hand polishing to remove defects, it may have a little more elbow grease in it (oompah) and I may work on 90 degree angles (left to right)... additionally, with polishing to remove defects, I'll experiment... if one way seems to yield a better result, I'll go with that technique.

I don't think that there's any steadfast rule on this...

RP