Wax in Circles… OR Lines

[gunk007]

So, I am starting to hear a lot of people say that you are supposed to apply and remove car wax in straight lines… not circles. Any input on this. What do you do and why? Also, what brand of wax do you use? I have been using turtle wax and I am thinking about changing.

[basco]

I've never heard that before...but I wax in circles twice a month with Zaino...and get it fully buffed and detailed about every 2 or 3 months

[04wrxhart]

Didn't you ever watch the karate kid ? lol. Ya all I've ever done is circles.
I wish I had the motivation to wax my suby twice a month !

[baller_v24]

Yea for real, ill be lucky to wax mine once every 2 months. Glad i dont have a black car any more.

[basco]

lol...I've just got alot of time on my hands....and I like my car being shiny

[Vew]

Waxing in circles will only creates swirls. I use Klasse Gloss Sealant and use P21S on top of that.

[gunk007]

So Vew, You wax in Striaght lines?

[pzr2874]

You get more protection going in circles than lines IMHO.

You are right about the circles on black IF you don't claybar before you wax.

[blk05WRX]

Check out Turtle Wax ICE. It's a synthetic wax that you don't have to rub on. It's very liquid like water and you apply it in lines. You can apply it in direct sunlight and it won't leave a white residue on the black plastic parts of your car. In fact, it will restore the black parts around the windows and mirrors. And it's cheap.

Here's a pic of my car after I waxed it with ICE.

[pzr2874]

Looks nice, now go take a pic at an angle w/the sun hitting it

[gunk007]

I have used the ICE also. It works great but I am not sure if it protects as well. I usually wax, ICE, ICE, ICE, Repeat. If someone is going to use ICE make sure you get the water spot off you car b/c ICE does not remove them like wax will.
PZR2874, do you claybar the whole car everytime you wax?

[pzr2874]

I have only done it once to this car and once on my old car. The clay helps the darker colors more than the light ones. Meguiars is what I use. Comes with 2 bars (enuff for 2 waxes) a towel, the spray, and a cleaner/wax bottle for like $17

[gunk007]

Thanks PRZ

[boosted475]

i've never heard of anyone applying wax in straight lines..
pros use a buffer and that goes in circles?

[Vew]

I use a grid method. But technically yes, in lines. A buffer does go in circles... but that's buffing. You're using very very fine polish to reduce the appearance of scratches. And, when you do buff, the proper method is also in a grid pattern. Basically left right left right, going down as i go. Then up down up down, going left as i go.

It's not so much the wax itself causing scratches, although it can if it contains light abrasives that are meant to polish on a small level as an all in one product like most OTC waxes. In an ideal environment the wax is pure, contains no fillers or abrasives AND the vehicle surface contains no contaminates and the paint is smooth with no scratches. In cases like these, hell, wax however you want. It won't make a difference.

Although you can get close to the sense the naked eye will never tell, small ass particles (yes, that's a technical term) will find its way into your towel, on the paint, or just simply never leave the paint. But with that being said, if enough time was spent during the prep, which consists of cleaning and polishing, whatever circle or straight line motion should not make a difference. I always wash grid pattern for obvious reasons.

Keep in mind I'm over analyzing this.