How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

[Garabaldi]

Thanks so much everybody - sounds like the DA is a real time saver.

Mike, I'd love to attend a Thursday Night Open Garage in the near future! Work and night classes have me pressed for time, however, I'll try to clear my schedule for a few hours next Thursday to receive training with the DA.

[STRIFE]

I think I'm slow....maybe an hour to wax my Subie or G with a DA

[andytsang]

I think I'm slow....maybe an hour to wax my Subie or G with a DA

Same here. I envy those can do it in 15 minutes. Maybe I need more practice. With UQW and UQD, I only need to wax 2 times a year.

[davey g-force]

Those that are saying 15 minutes - I take it that's just to apply a coat of wax (not remove) right? Seems awfully fast to me. Does that include setup time for the DA / pads / cord(s) etc?

Those that are saying one hour - is that apply & remove or just apply?

I'm more like one hour just to apply a coat with all things considered...

[STRIFE]

45mins to an hour just to apply via DA, another 15 mins to buff off

[jarred767]

It depends on what you really mean by "waxing" the car. If your doing a 1-step product like M66, cleaner wax, or D151, then I'd say it could take 30-45 minutes depending on the car as it's a more extnsive process. If your just simply applying a coat of wax and not looking for any kind defect removal (and assuming the paint has been properly prepped) I would think you can apply a coat of wax via DA in and 15-25 minutes depending on size of car. The more you use it, the more efficient you will get too! So more incentive to do it more often!!!

[Michael Stoops]

45mins to an hour just to apply via DA, another 15 mins to buff off

This is with a non-cleaner wax, like NXT or Ultimate? There's no reason at all for it to take 45 minutes to lay the wax down with a DA - heck, it shouldn't take that long to do it by hand! Remember, all you're doing is transferring a thin film of product out of the bottle and onto the paint. You should be able to cover the whole car in wax, using a DA, in 10 minutes or so.

We're curious how long you're working that wax against the paint, how many times you're going over an area, etc.

[wifpd4]

Okay, now you guys are starting to hurt my feelings and make me feel older than I am. 10-15 minutes to apply wax and buff off an entire four door car....?

Using Ultimate Liquid Wax and A means apply, B mean buff. One pass with a 4" PC applying wax or the little circles by hand, two swipes with a microfiber to buff off.

A 1/2 roof
A full hood and wiper blade arms
B 1/2 roof
A 2nd 1/2 roof
B full hood and wiper blade arms
A one side pillars and roof arch
A rear hatch/liftgate or trunk
B one side pillars and roof arch
A other side pillars and roof arch
B rear hatch/liftgate or trunk
A front bumper (sitting on a stool all hand work)
B other side pillars and roof arch
A hand work on one side (door handles and pockets, mirror and windows)
B front bumper
A hand work other side (door handles and pockets, mirror and windows)
A PC one side (front quarter, doors, rear quarter)
A PC 2nd side (front quarter, doors, rear quarter)
B one side
B 2nd side

This pattern is a little back and forth with the extension cord. Another pattern is all one side and then the other side to avoid the cord back and forth.

The front end and rear end of some cars is all hand work. In and around logos, lights, recessed lights, recessed ventilation inlets, cameras, recessed and obstructive license plate brackets and liftgate handles. It can be 10 minutes or more each end.

I'm sticking with my hour.

[1994Gen1L]

Application time, start to finish on the 2011 Ford Fusion is 45 mins - 1 hour. The same application on the 2011 F150 SuperCab is 1.0 - 1.5 hours. This includes all body panels with a 7" pad and switching to a 4" pad/backing plate and applying wax to the head/tail lights, pillars, bumpers and rear license plate area. Take 20 mins off those times when it isn't 90-110* F and 75% humidity.

[STRIFE]

This is with a non-cleaner wax, like NXT or Ultimate? There's no reason at all for it to take 45 minutes to lay the wax down with a DA - heck, it shouldn't take that long to do it by hand! Remember, all you're doing is transferring a thin film of product out of the bottle and onto the paint. You should be able to cover the whole car in wax, using a DA, in 10 minutes or so.

We're curious how long you're working that wax against the paint, how many times you're going over an area, etc.

Hi Michael, I don't actually spend all that time applying wax, i tend to inspect in great detail a just waxed panel before moving onto another panel. I find on my white cars it's very hard to see the thin layer ...and I want to make sure I don't miss a spot. I go over a section at most ...twice...maybe 3 times max. My 2 car garage is a bit tight so I cannot move around as freely as I'd like...pretty sure it may effect my work.
Also, I've only used my DA about 4-5 times which my explain my 1 hr time.....but I'm sure i'll be half as good as you in a few yrs