Am I using too much wax?

[ihavetouchedthesky]

Hi everyone, long time reader and dedicated Meguiar's-only non-pro detailer of 15+ years. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading over many of articles posted by everyone, and this is my go to place when I have questions. Thought it was time to join you all.

One thing about Meguiar's that has always truly won me over is their encouragement to use small amounts of wax. Through my years of creeping the forums and not participating, I've seen this bit of advice given over and over. Instead of encouraging consumers to use more of a product, Meguiar's actually encourages using less as more is apparently just wasteful. I believe a few of the pros who post have actually said that just a few drops is sufficient to wax your entire car.

Awesome and thanks so much for the honesty, but here's my thing..more just feels better. The idea of using such a minimal amount of wax really boggles my mind. To add to that, for the first time I now own a light colored gray car and the wax is very difficult to see once applied. As soon as I start feeling the foam pad go 'dry' I immediately feel the need to squirt another big dab of wax onto the applicator. Otherwise it feels like I'm dragging a dry pad across the surface of my paint. It's difficult and just doesn't feel right. Shouldn't I be feeling that slick slidy sensation beneath my fingers through the whole wax job?

[Blueline]

Re: Am I using too much wax?

I learned years ago, the less wax is better, especially with my now discontinued M16. If you put that stuff on too thick, it was like removing cement. Now my go to is Ultimate Paste Wax. Much easier to remove, and I habitually apply thin. Besides being harder to remove when applied thick, it is a waste as you say.
With a light coloured car, if you can, wax in a garage with the garage light on. The reflection of light should show the gloss of the wax before it dries, where it applied and where not. Alternatively you can wax twice (layer) to ensure you have not missed a spot, but that too, is a waste of wax in my opinion.

[davey g-force]

Re: Am I using too much wax?

I believe a few of the pros who post have actually said that just a few drops is sufficient to wax your entire car.

That's probably a bit too small an amount! It would be more like 1-2 drops per panel, which is still a very small amount.

Thin is in!

[szladob]

I have found that using the DA polisher is a great way to both deliver a thin layer, and provide good coverage even if you can't see the product as easily... I know lot of people here swear by hand applying wax, but that way I always had the same problems - using way too much wax that was hard to remove, and lack of confidence that I have covered the area adequately. Now I feel that I rather spend the time with polishing (eg. UP or M205) rather than hand waxing the whole car...

[ihavetouchedthesky]

Re: Am I using too much wax?

Thanks for the replies and advice. Maybe I'll pull the trigger on a DA soon to give it a try.