How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

[jarred767]

Re: How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

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]

Re: How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

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]

Re: How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

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]

Re: How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

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]

Re: How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

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

[andytsang]

Re: How Long It Takes to Wax by DA?

I didn't use a stop watch to time it. But the whole thing is close to 1 hour for me. Please understand that I don't use my PC as often as you guys. Mr. Stoop you are right that it does seem to be about same time doing it by hand. So using DA won't make it faster for me but more for even, thin application. Maybe using DA is slower than by hand for me consider that I have to switch back plate for small area.

I don't think I am using the DA wrongly. Maybe more about inexperience. For example, I could wax small area last, then I only need to switch back plate once. Maybe too meticulous.