Layering Carnauba Wax

 Victoria Wax

Products:

Victoria Wax Pre-Wax Cleaner - for optimum results, this product must be used before applying this paste waxes for the first time. A unique non-abrasive formulation for regular and clear-coated paint finishes. Use as a foundation paint preparation, it gently cleans the paintwork and helps to create a perfect bond between the finish and the wax and create depth of shine.

            Victoria Concours Wax -  apply a thin coat, gently work it in and let it sit until tacky, then using a 100% cotton micro fibre towel gently remove everything to expose a finish ready for the wax. If needed, repeat cleaning action until all contaminates, grime and foreign products are removed. Remember, the cleansing and prepping process should only be done before the wax is applied for the first time and there after only when needed.

Concours wax - especially designed for black and red to add extra warmest wettest finish

Chaos - designed for extra gloss and suitable for all colours especially metallic colours

Mayhem - gives natural look - prepped look suitable for all colours.

Collectors - yellow wax is to similar mayhem but contains fewer polymers.

Using a damp applicator and cold (almost ice) distilled water in a fine mist spray bottle neutralizes any solvents in the newly applied layer; the water should be cold, using ice cold water after applying a wax will harden the wax quicker making the shine deeper and help the new wax adhere to the finish, working until the water/ wax solution disappears.

The reason for using a damp applicator is to neutralize the solvents as much as possible, and to avoid the thin coats of wax sticking to the applicator, this enables the wax to build thin, fine coats. Spray fine mists of cold (almost ice) distilled water to a single panel and then apply a light Carnauba wax to the paint surface.

 Always apply extremely thin layers using a very light pressure when spit shining, Wipe it onto a small work area and continue wiping until most of the wax disappears. Mist lightly as needed, keeping a few water droplets on the surface. Move to the next work area and repeat. After you do the final area you’ll have a surface with many spots of hazed wax. Lightly mist an area with the very cold distilled water - 1/2 hood or door - and lightly buff with a MF towel.

Turn the towel frequently, when the towel becomes too damp switch to a new towel.

When you spray very cold water on a Carnauba wax layer that has been allowed to outgas (i.e. the solvents that make up its carrier system have evaporated) it reduces the wax surface temperature to the point that the next applied waxes carrier solvents do not dilute the previously applied wax and it forms a semi-hard coat.

·         Allow each subsequent Carnauba waxes solvents to outgas before applying more layers. Spit shining allows definitive layers, as opposed to a thick coat of wax that would result if the solvents dissolve the wax layer that they are applied to.

·         After 24 hours you can repeat the procedure, using cold (almost ice) distilled water and Pinnacle Crystal Mist (a low solvent quick detail (QD) each coat applied will increase the surface depth of shine with five or six coats being optimal

·         Allow the radiation heat to ‘sweat’ the wax and then buff with a 100% cotton micro fibre towel.

Also be aware that the both the product and the foam pad may be non-abrasive, but application pressure if not kept to an absolute minimum and using use a very light and even pressure, may re-introduce surface marring and/or removal of the previously applied product by friction

Carnauba Wax Flakes 

Application of wax with Bare Hands

Zymöl and Swissvax DO NOT endorse the use of an applicator for use with their Estate waxes and glazes for optimum results. Once you get used to applying soft waxes with the tips of your fingers, I’ve found I used less product as was able to spread it thinly and evenly.

This application method has a lot to do with personal preference and individual experience really. David Wyllie Sr. (owner of Victoria Wax) is a great proponent of this application method

Apply wax thinner than any other waxes you have applied. The surface should not be too cold or too hot. And out of direct sunlight. Work in small sections and don't let the wax completely dry before buffing.

Take your tub of soft wax (Victoria Concours Red Wax, Swissvax, Zymol, etc.) and gently rub the surface with your fingertips but don't stick your fingers all the way in. Using small overlapping circles apply to one panel at a time. When you’ve done the second panel and remove the wax from the first panel with a 100% cotton towel and move on to the third panel and so on

Applying to small sections and massaging in the wax will quickly start the cure process and exposure to the air will allow a full wax set-up. Allow the radiation heat to ‘sweat’ the wax and then buff with a 100% cotton micro fibre towel.

Bibliography

1.                  Relevant Material Data Sheet (MSDS) – http://bit.ly/7uM4QA

2.                  Zymöl- (http://www.Zymöl.com/carnauba.htm)

3.                  Swissvax - SWISSVAX - the ultimate car care products hand-made in Switzerland

4.                  Wikipedia - Carnauba wax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

5.                  Strahl & Pitsch (Brasilia Carnauba) - Carnauba Wax

6.                  Abstracts from articles related to Auto Appearance Chemicals – Dow Corning

7.                  Why apply wax with bare hands? by David Wyllie

8.                  The Chemistry and Technology of Waxes, by Albin H. Warth; Second Edition 1956

9.                  The Chemical Formulary, by H. Bennett

10.              Propolis-Research Review, by La Rocco, Mike Vespa 2001

Information resource -

1.                  Zymöl and Swissvax Internet websites

2.                  The Basics of Silicon Chemistry - Dow Corning

3.                  Dow Chemical Manufacturing (Auto appearance chemicals) - Chemical Manufacturing - Auto Appearance Chemicals - Formulations - Dow Corning

4.         The Royal Society of Chemistry; Cambridge, 1995 Silicon-Containing Polymers Jones, Richard, G

I would like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to professional’s alike, as well as industry experts who seek to advance their knowledge.

I hope the above article was informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand how the chemicals we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.

No one can know it all, no matter how long they have been detailing; share experience and knowledge so that we learn from each other. Each one Teach one.

Choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon. I would strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. The misinformation and myths that are so prevalent in the detail industry is the reason that detailers need to do research on their own. 

Treat all marketing claims as being just biased marketing claims.

I would appreciate it if you would share this article as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.

Questions and/ or constructive comments are always appreciated.

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