Tried straight line waxing, then gave up

[pman626]

Using collinite 845, two dabs from the bottle.

I get lousy coverage using straight line wipe method.

So it's back to circular wax on, straight line wax off.

[LavJordan]

The straight line application isn't for optimal coverage but more so to prevent causing circular scratches if say a contaminent were to cling to your applicator pad. And since in theory removing circular scratches is harder and more costly, applying in straight lines became common practice.

[af90]

The straight line application isn't for optimal coverage but more so to prevent causing circular scratches if say a contaminent were to cling to your applicator pad. And since in theory removing circular scratches is harder and more costly, applying in straight lines became common practice.

I would differ that a cross hatch pattern is much more effective at properly covering a vehicle because it is much more effective to know where you have covered. Additionally you cover each area twice. Scratches appear circular mores due to the light source and the uniform scratching around it.

Reference this article by Mike Phillips

[HateSwirls]

Try applying the 845 using a DA and a red pad , I always get great results.
Then do it by hand where you can't get using a DA.

Using a DA to apply it gives you a thin, uniform coat.

[swanicyouth]

You can wax in circles, squares, stars, octagons, or parabolas.

It doesn't matter if everything is clean.

Swirl marks are not circles.

[FUNX650]

I've found that using one of the below "Polishing Pals"
really lends a helping-hand for employing the straight-line
application technique:

Wolfgang Polishin’ Pal
Pinnacle Polishin’ Pal

Meguiars Unigrit Professional Hand Pad, hand backup pad, hand polishing pad


Bob

[Mike Phillips]

You can wax in circles, squares, stars, octagons, or parabolas.

It doesn't matter if everything is clean.

That is correct.

Swirl marks are not circles.

This is also correct.



Here's my original article that explains this from 2008

Cobweb Swirls vs Rotary Buffer Swirls

Below is an explanation between the difference between random swirls and scratches that show up in what is commonly referred to as Cobweb Swirls as compared to Rotary Buffer Swirls.


Cobweb Scratches or Cobweb Swirls
Actually, the term cobweb swirls or spiderweb swirls comes from the fact that when you look at the paint in such a way as to place the reflection of the sun or another source of bright light so that it's on a painted panel, you'll see what looks like swirls and scratches forming in a circular pattern around the point of light.

Cobweb Scratches or Cobweb Swirls




Cobweb Scratches or Cobweb Swirls



Now if you move around a little bit so as to move the point of light around on the panel you'll see what looks as though the cobweb swirls are following the point of light. The cobweb swirls are not actually following the point of light what's really happening is that the entire finish is so filled with random scratches that wherever you place the point of light you'll see the circular or cobweb pattern show up because the random scratches will reflect the light back towards the center of this point of light. So as you move the point of light around on a painted panel it looks as though the cobweb swirls are following the point of light.

Does that make sense?

The scratches are not specifically circle scratches, they could be a all straight-line scratches but the effect is they look circular because the point of light is circular and the light hitting the hundreds of thousands of scratches are all reflecting back to the center of the point of light making it look as though the scratches are all circular when that's not the case.

The rest of the article goes on to explain holograms from a rotary buffer.