Mr Miyagi was on to something....

[GDGR]

I’ve spent collectively 7 hours now, cutting, waxing and polishing the top half of my 74F. 
The paint is original, and was actually rough to the touch before I started. As time is limited with family, work and everything else, a couple hours here and there were all I could muster. 
Started with the tail, just to get the hang of a smaller area, then worked my way onto the fuselage, upper cowl and finally the wings. 
After finishing the top section (the top “half” of the plane is done. Still need to creep around and do the bottom), it was time for a flight. 
A night flight in calm skies were making me feel as if I was imagining things. Was I REALLY getting that much airspeed? Must be a tail wind. 
After a few night landings to stay current, I decided to climb up to 10k, set the MP to 20” and the RPM to 2600. 
Triangulated three headings. 
Result was an average speed that was 6 kts faster than usual! 
6 kts??? Because of a wax? 
I think I need to find me a karate student. 

[0TreeLemur]

Wow.  That's impressive.  I can't wait to give that a try. 

[Shadrach]

Be careful, the paint on the vintage birds is very thin. It takes little effort to get u to the primer. Very effective speed mod. You could spend 10s of thousands and still be short of 6 kts.

[Prior owner]

5 hours ago, GLJA said:

Result was an average speed that was 6 kts faster than usual! 
6 kts??? Because of a wax? 
I think I need to find me a karate student. 
 

 

Okay, we’re going to need that name of that wax...

[Guest]

That’s quite an impressive speed gain.  There’s a bit more to gain with the OAT probe on the windshield, the old ADF antenna base and what is the third antenna on the top?

Clarence

[carusoam]

It’s not true....

you don’t actually turn the plane upside down to wax the bottom side...

-a-

[GDGR]

13 minutes ago, carusoam said:

It’s not true....

you don’t actually turn the plane upside down to wax the bottom side...

-a-

I’ve literally given up trying to figure out why some photos go sideways and others do not. 

[carusoam]

Siri’s way of allowing us to do small things for each other... 

-a-

[GDGR]

30 minutes ago, PilotCoyote said:

6 hours ago, GLJA said:

Result was an average speed that was 6 kts faster than usual! 
6 kts??? Because of a wax? 
I think I need to find me a karate student. 
 

 

Okay, we’re going to need that name of that wax...

Here’s what I ordered and used. 
started with F9

Then G6

A

and final was S

 

[McMooney]

https://cafe.foundation/v2/pdf_cafe_reports/Wax Job with PICT.pdf

[GDGR]

2 hours ago, McMooney said:

https://cafe.foundation/v2/pdf_cafe_reports/Wax Job with PICT.pdf

Getting a forbidden to access error. Now you just have me curious

[GDGR]

Wait. Got it:

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/31072882/wax-job-with-pictpdf-cafe-foundation

[Prior owner]

Midi-Chlorian levels of the person waxing the plane would also have to be checked, as The Force is stronger in some than in others. Certain cabin air fresheners can also have the same effect.

[tmo]

OK, the only thing missing is a "before" picture...  FWIW, I'm in the process of collecting the bits and pieces to do mine; so far I have a gallon of kerosene and acetone, Meguiars NXT Car Wash and Tech Wax, some Autoglym Super Resin Polish, and a couple buckets full of various mitts, sponges and microfiber rags...

[Vance Harral]

Even an old workhorse with bad paint shines up pretty decent with basic products from the auto parts store.  All it cost me was a few bucks and a lifetime supply of ibuprofen for my sore shoulders and forearms.   Haven't flown it yet, will hope for good results like GLGA!