I searched around a bit and couldn't find the answer. I always waxed and polish in swirl/circle direction. And i just read in several websites on car care, for example http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-wax.html . it states "Apply your wax in a back-and-forth motion, not in circles." Is this true?
If so, O CRAP I BEEN DOING IT WRONG THE WHOLE TImE! I am going to put the meguiars NXT wax on and need an answer on how to properly apply the wax. Also, the proper way to polish. I was looking on the meguiars video and they polished and waxed in circular motions. Thanks a lot for your replies.

Thomas

 

I'm a Zaino convert. On their web site for maximum reflectivity (shine) they suggested back-and-forth, specifically front-to-back for roof, hood, and trunk and top-to-bottom for side panels, so that's how I do it now.

rx8cited

 

Zymol, Pinnacle and several other wax companies suggest that you apply their waxes using a back and forth motion instead of swirls too.

-Eric

 

One question, if applying the wax in back and forth motion, how about buffing??

 

Most companies recommend a back and forth motion. With dark colored cars, if you use a circular motion you may end up with swirl marks left in the paint. This is why it's best to use the back and forth motion. You cannot go wrong no matter what color the paint is. However when taking off the wax, it shouldn't matter if you use a circular or back and forth motion. Hope this helps.

 

If you're applying anything with a buffer be sure to use waxes, polishes, etc that are MADE to be used with a buffer.

Also, remember to keep in mind that liquid and hard waxes also have different "personalities". I sometimes use Griot's Best in Show wax with my Porter Cable but as much as I love Pinnacle Souveran wax, the liquid just doesn't hold up as well as the paste. And, the PS paste goes on and comes off so easily there's no benefit to using the liquid.

-Eric

 

ok, going to try using back and forth then. I used the swirl last time and it left swirl marks over my blacky.

 

I used to wax the "Karate Kid" way, but I've found recently that the back and forth motion (need a better term for it) does indeed do a better job. A lot less likely to get residual swirl marks. Its not really wrong the Karate Kid way; so try both for yourself and see.
And with Meguire's NXT its a lot easier to put a thin coat on in general back and forth motions with that dam small applicator pad

 

As an afterthought...

Definitely back and forth, but always in the same direction that air travels over the car in motion. In other words front-to-back, not side-to-side.

 

Can you please elaborate. Why wax in the direction that air travels over the car? I ask because a previous post said to wax up and down on the side panels.

 

I apply wax and sealant on circles. It seems easier to cover the whole area evenly. you won't really induce swirls if youre really careful what you're doing. Back and forth will still produce scrateches if you aren't careful neither but you'll have straight lines instead of circles. I recommend that when applying pure sealants use a foam pad and make sure the surface is clean. Either way works, just different strokes for different folks.

 

I've tried it both ways...

Virtually any time you use any kind of paint cleaner, polish, or cleaner wax, it contains some kind of (hopefully) very mild abrasive. Plus, whatever you use to apply the material will likely have some level of abrasiveness.

I've found that going back and forth in an "airflow" direction minimizes the visibility of any small lines or polish marks, especially on dark colored cars.

Not an engineer, so I can't exactly say why, just know it works!

 

Mr Zaino explained to me that the risks of harming your auto with the swril technique will risk damaging your paintwork. For example, if you have some dirt on the hood, the swirl motion will make it hard to disguise the damage. At least if this happens with the back and forth motion, its alot easier to repair! Make sense?