NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

[k3ith]

I have read before and just read again in a recent post that NTX / 21 are supposed to be applied incredibly thin. Here is a recent quote from Stoops:

A full sized sedan (think Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Cadillac STS) can be covered with just a couple ounces of product.

I usually use a LC 5.5 inch CCS pad. I don't come anywhere close to using this little of product. If I don't reapply product to the pad (in the middle and on the edges) after every panel (sometimes more often), it appears that I am missing spots as the pad rotates. Also, when overlapping, the pad seems to remove wax from the previous swipe if I don't reapply. I usually get maybe 5, 50% overlapping swipes before I feel like i need to reapply. I may end up using 1/3 of a bottle or more. However, it is pretty easy to remove even after sitting a long while.

So, do you guys think I am doing something wrong with my application method? Is it the type of pad? Do you think I really am getting an even coverage although it appears I am missing spots? Do I need eye glasses? Does anyone really get through a car with only two ounces (other than an expert like stoops of course)?

Open discussion and personal experiences welcome.

[Shawn T.]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

I usually use about an ounce or less when I wax by hand. I had the same problem when I used the G110v2 to wax. It's cheaper to do by hand even though it may take a little longer.

[john m.]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

One thing you need to remember is that just because you can not see it does not mean wax is not being left behind. All you need when applying any wax is the thinnest layer possible.

I recall reading an article by one of the Mikes I think talking about it. When you apply one coat what sticks? that microscopic tiny layer, any wax on top of that is extra that will be wiped off when buffing it off. So you always just want to apply only what you need to not only preserve product but also because for some waxes, M16 especially, can really be a pain if you apply to thick of a layer.

A good rule of thumb to go by. If you think you are applying it to thick than you are....if you think you are applying it to thin, you are probably still applying it to thick

[cd36]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

Well I am definately putting on way to much wax, and I do it by hand. I find for the first little while my foam applicator absorbs lots of the wax, once it is saturated it goes alot better, but that can take a while.

[chessplayer]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

i work with my portercable and pad with paint cleeaning and polishing ....most of the time...when it come to my LSP i do it by hand whinch is usually # 21 or NXT

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

At first until your pad becomes saturated. It may seem like your using a lot of product. However, with proper technique and the statement by Mike is right on. Very little product is used when applying a thin coat.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

Especially when working with a D/A it is easy to still overuse a liquid wax. Yes, the pad will absorb a fair bit of product, but if you keep adding more and more product you'll continue to add more and more into the pad and ultimate leave it there rather than transfer it to the paint.

After you work a couple of panels and have applied product to the pad two or three times, try pressing the pad firmly against the paint in a few areas with the tool off. This will force product out of the pad and onto the paint and you can continue to spread it from there.

We prep and maintain vehicles for Ford at SEMA every year and a couple of years back, working with Kevin Brown and Derrik Bemiss (Detailwerks) we kept track of how much wax was used. We opened a fresh bottle of NXT 2.0 and waxed 39 cars with a single bottle! Now, we did these literally one after the other, nonstop, with a single pad. As that pad started getting pretty wet with product we'd just press it against the paint and force product out of it and spread it out. We did that over and over again, adding from the bottle only as needed. Admittedly this was a very unusual case and we would never expect you to wax your own car 39 times with a single bottle of NXT. You're going to end up washing excess product out of the pad after every use. But it's still an indication of how thin you can apply the product.

But give that pressing of the pad against the paint a try. You'll be amazed at how much wax is being trapped in the pad and how far you can stretch it if you really try.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

That's a great tip Mike. It just goes to show that we never stop learning no matter how long we've been detailing.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?



This is what a thin coat of wax should look like. (photo courtesy of Tuck91)

If you are starting with a fresh pad. Prime the pad first. Spread the wax evenly on the surface of the pad with your finger. When you apply wax to the pad, I suggest using a few small dots of product throughout. When you reapply wax to the pad, try to add it to an area different area than where the previous product was applied.

When you are applying the wax, be light handed with the the DA polisher (it weighs 5 lbs on it's own). Be particularly light with the first few rotations, just don't splatter product. After the wax has been spread you can add more pressure it you want to work it into the paint a little. As Michael mentioned you can also press the pad against the vehicles surface to expel some of the product that has worked it's way up into the pad. I do this with the polisher stopped and then I begin a pass.

[Beach Bum]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

I am using way to much then and maybe that is why I got a haze finish after.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

I am using way to much then and maybe that is why I got a haze finish after.

A thick coat will take longer to dry (potentially much longer) and will be more difficult to remove. If you take it off too soon, which is easy to do with a heavy coat, you run the risk of streaks, blotches, or similar. A little bit goes a very long way.

[k3ith]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

Thanks for all the responses and the pic. I certainly recognize that when the pad is more saturated, it goes further. The problem for me is that the pad doesn't seem to get good and ready until i am almost finished with the car. I'll certainly try the tips of pressing the pad to expunge product and priming the pad first with my finger. Both are logical ideas that make me feel silly for not doing intuitively.

Are you guys familiar with the "CCS" pad? It has little pockets in it that are supposed to kinda time release product allowing for less stops to reapply. Obviously this isn't really working for me! I am actually wondering if they are giving me the apearance of missing spots. Do y'all use flat pads?

[Shawn T.]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

I use the Softbuff 2.0 pads but I still usually apply my LSP by hand.

[john m.]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

I use flat pads, I have used the CCS though never to apply wax. I think it could possibly be that you are just applying to much. Try using less next time you apply the wax even if you think you need to apply more stretch it out. Then after you let the first coat cure overnight apply that second coat to insure that you didnt miss any spots

[Michael Stoops]

Re: NXT - Impossibly Thin Application?

For anyone interested in this discussion, you might want to keep an eye on this thread.