Question on applying finishes..

[HiccaBurp]

I've done some basic waxing over the years, basic "wax on, wax off"

I've had an 10" orbital buffer but never used on a vehicle(used it for tiles). I'm ready to start tackling our vehicles, but do have a couple questions..

1. yes, I bought some mothers clay bars and detail spray

2. I was going to use a cleaner wax next. Is there a way to apply it with the buffer or should I apply by hand and use the buffer to remove?

3. If buffer can be used, which bonnets? My stores only have terry n mf

4. Since I have a few cars to do over the next couple of months, is it beneficial to purchase a polisher??

5. Or I saw some small handheld buffers.. would that be the way to apply the waxes and soo..?

6. Would the same apply to applying the subsequent coats of wax?

7. Or just man up and apply everything by hand and remove everything by hand.. as a great man once said.... "wax on, wax off"

 

[bepperb]

Keep in mind I'm no expert but a lot will depend on the condition of the finishes currently. You can do quite well with clay and a cleanerwax on a good looking finish. You could use your buffer to apply this with a terry bonnet, but it's not much better than doing it by hand. Your buffer won't do any paint correction, but your question doesn't make it clear if that is what you are interested in.

 

[HiccaBurp]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
Keep in mind I'm no expert but a lot will depend on the condition of the finishes currently. You can do quite well with clay and a cleanerwax on a good looking finish. You could use your buffer to apply this with a terry bonnet, but it's not much better than doing it by hand. Your buffer won't do any paint correction, but your question doesn't make it clear if that is what you are interested in.


I'm mostly looking at ease of applying finishes(cleaner wax, finish wax, etc) as I want to tackle our 3 vehicles and also my moms.

I'm not interested in full paint correction for now. Both my Prius and moms Camry are black and you can see light swirl marks from the automatic car washes(yes yes, I know they are evil). I'm more interested in cleaning it up(clay bar) and hoping the cleaner wax can take out some of the swirling before I put on some coats of wax for protection before winter comes. Once spring comes, I'll do a more intensive detail to get as close to perfect as possible and hopefully stay on a regiment of home washes and regular waxing.

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: HiccaBurp
I've done some basic waxing over the years, basic "wax on, wax off"

I've had an 10" orbital buffer but never used on a vehicle(used it for tiles). I'm ready to start tackling our vehicles, but do have a couple questions..

1. yes, I bought some mothers clay bars and detail spray

Good stuff. You will like it.

2. I was going to use a cleaner wax next. Is there a way to apply it with the buffer or should I apply by hand and use the buffer to remove?

Sure. Just pour some cleaner wax onto a bonnet and apply a thin coat to the car. Let it dry and buff off with a clean towl, preferably microfiber. Done!

3. If buffer can be used, which bonnets? My stores only have terry n mf

Either are fine. The terrycloth ones have a litle more "bite" which would probably work well with the cleaner wax. Your call, though.

4. Since I have a few cars to do over the next couple of months, is it beneficial to purchase a polisher??

Nah, unless you have a hankerin' for one. For applying cleaner wax, the basic orbital is fine.

5. Or I saw some small handheld buffers.. would that be the way to apply the waxes and soo..?

Those things are mostly toys. Skip them.

6. Would the same apply to applying the subsequent coats of wax?

Yes, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Most all you need are two applications to ensure even converage. Any more is kind of a waste.

7. Or just man up and apply everything by hand and remove everything by hand.. as a great man once said.... "wax on, wax off"

Once you use a buffer, you will never want to wax by hand again.

 

[HiccaBurp]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Originally Posted By: HiccaBurp
I've done some basic waxing over the years, basic "wax on, wax off"

I've had an 10" orbital buffer but never used on a vehicle(used it for tiles). I'm ready to start tackling our vehicles, but do have a couple questions..

1. yes, I bought some mothers clay bars and detail spray

Good stuff. You will like it.

2. I was going to use a cleaner wax next. Is there a way to apply it with the buffer or should I apply by hand and use the buffer to remove?

Sure. Just pour some cleaner wax onto a bonnet and apply a thin coat to the car. Let it dry and buff off with a clean towl, preferably microfiber. Done!

3. If buffer can be used, which bonnets? My stores only have terry n mf

Either are fine. The terrycloth ones have a litle more "bite" which would probably work well with the cleaner wax. Your call, though.

4. Since I have a few cars to do over the next couple of months, is it beneficial to purchase a polisher??

Nah, unless you have a hankerin' for one. For applying cleaner wax, the basic orbital is fine.

5. Or I saw some small handheld buffers.. would that be the way to apply the waxes and soo..?

Those things are mostly toys. Skip them.

6. Would the same apply to applying the subsequent coats of wax?

Yes, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Most all you need are two applications to ensure even converage. Any more is kind of a waste.

7. Or just man up and apply everything by hand and remove everything by hand.. as a great man once said.... "wax on, wax off"

Once you use a buffer, you will never want to wax by hand again.



Thank you very much.. I actually stopped at a Pepboys last night and they had foam bonnets. I picked one up.. I'm hoping to get to one or two cars this weekend.

 

[BigTallV]

I just did 2 vehicles this past weekend. On any prior vehicles that I formerly owned, I had always used a 10" orbital buffer but with terry cloth bonnets of one variety or another to apply and remove. This past weekend I tried out a foam bonnet and was amazed at the ease with which the product spread and how much more coverage could be accomplished before 'reloading' the foam bonnet.

 

[HiccaBurp]

Originally Posted By: BigTallV
I just did 2 vehicles this past weekend. On any prior vehicles that I formerly owned, I had always used a 10" orbital buffer but with terry cloth bonnets of one variety or another to apply and remove. This past weekend I tried out a foam bonnet and was amazed at the ease with which the product spread and how much more coverage could be accomplished before 'reloading' the foam bonnet.



I imagine you put the wax on the bonnet then apply to vehicle? Or do you squirt some on the vehicle and use the buffer to spread it around?