Just curious as to how everyone waxes their cars. Do you apply and remove the wax in circular patterns, or is there a more effective way?

 

Never EVER apply wax in a circular motion. The Karati-Kid movie is completely wrong (wax-on/wax-off) where he does the circles...

Always apply and remove in straight lines. Otherwise you induce the "swirl mark" effect.

-- Aaron

 

At any point you are touching the surface (unless you are in a "clean room", like a fab where micro processors are made), there will be particals falling on your cars surface-- microscopic dust, etc... PLUS the material you are using may have also collected some random particals.

With this conditions, when you are applying anything to the surface, you 'risk' scratching the surface (even if just a litttllle bit). With that in mind, I still stick to my suggestions-- apply/remove in straight lines. This is most apparently on dark cars... If you have silver/white, you'll probably never notice. I'm a former black car owner, and I can promise you that you will 'swirl' the clear if you go in circles.

-- Aaron

 

Besides lessening the chance of swirl marks there is another reason NOT to use circular motion. This is from Tips an Tricks from Zaino site.
"Want an even higher level of optical light refraction and reflectivety. Here's how. When applying Show Car Polish do the following; On all Top surfaces of vehicle, use a back and forth motion (from front bumper towards windshield). On all Side surfaces (doors, fenders, etc.) use a vertical motion, up and down. This technique will increase the way light attracts and reflects off of Show Car Polish. The body lines and contours of your vehicle will seem to glow. This trick really works. "