Why is it that after a car is waxed and buffed a week latter there is white wax showing...it seems to re-appear in hot weather for months. Any suggestions? I use MacGuiar's vanuba so it is decent quality products. I was, clay, polish, then wax and buff,

 

It sounds like you might be missing some when you go take it off, or maybe you aren't letting it dry fully before removing it.

Can you give me a list of the exact, specific products you're using? Meguiar's makes several different carnauba waxes, polishes, etc so knowing precisely what you're using and how you're using them is important.

Also, keep in mind that you should be applying a very, very thin coat of wax to all the painted surfaces of the vehicle and then let it dry fully before removing it. You can even leave it on for several hours and it will remove effortlessly, provided you applied it thin to begin with. This thin application is where most people go wrong. I've had people tell me they like the size of the Gold Class liquid wax bottle because they can wax their car twice with it. In reality, you should be able to wax your car 10 times with a single bottle of the stuff. You should be putting your wax on so thin that it's almost hard to see it.

 

It was prob too thick

 

Zaino Z-2 leaves no white residue FYI. Any wax/polish product should be put on sparingly.

 

You might be looking at clay, nicely waxed over. Did you 'rinse' between the 'clay, polish' and the 'then wax and buff'?

BTW: when do I really need to clay, or for that matter even wax? My '99 and 05' Chrysler products are kept in the garage, along with an unopened bottle of Meguiar's Gold Class, and I can still read the newspaper in both hood's reflections. When do I really need to crack the top on that bottle?

 

You never HAVE to do any of this, but if you want your finish to look as good as possible then the honest answer is "do it when needed". How do you tell when it's needed? Wash and dry the car then run your clean, bare hand over the surface. If it doesn't feel as smooth as glass, and by "glass" I mean the mirror in your master bathroom, not the windshield of the car, then it will benefit from a clay treatment.

You say your cars are kept in the garage........ so they NEVER go anywhere, they're never parked in a parking lot, never driven on a public highway? Then why do have them? Of course that's tongue in cheek, but that '99 car of yours is 10 years old and if it's never been waxed, let alone clayed, you'd be amazed what a proper detailing can do for it. Of course, if you're happy with the appearance now (and really, that's all that matters, right?) then so be it. Some people are totally content with just having the dirt knocked off the car, others want the best possible finish and are willing to put in the time and effort. Neither is right or wrong and we all get to do with our vehicles whatever we choose.

For the record, I've had waaaay too many people tell me their finish is perfect only to view the car in person and find it's far from. And these are some pretty high end show cars, classics, antiques, etc. Many worth multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars. The owners just don't know the difference.

 

Mike,

I'll be painting the front bumper, hood & fenders on my XF. The car has been cleaned with Silcone/Wax remover prior to the paint application.

I plan to wet sand the new clearcoat with 1200 grit (depending on how much orange peel I lay down) & claybar the un-painted areas.

I have a PorterCable, some fine Machine MicroPolish and Machine SuperWax from Adams.

Any sealer or other suggestions?

Thanks

 

Dwight your too old to drive let alone polish a car. I have to disagree with Mike on this one, Dwight would have a heart attack trying to clay a car.

 

Ouch!

Oh Pat that was cold man

Unfortunately Dwight is probably getting more exercise than me, at least he's walking the dog. (Note to self; I gotta get away from this **** computer)...

Dwight might I suggest that instead of doing it yourself you find a couple of young lasses. Even if they don't do a perfect job it will do your heart good to watch. I wouldn't want to see anything happen to you; it's just too much fun having you around here to stir up the pot

Stay safe...


Respectfully,


Paul (MisterTaz)

 

Is there any after the thick wax remedy or just keep buffing off the Phantom Wax? I rinse after each step wash rinse let dry, clay rinse dry polish rinse dry then wax

 

Mr. Taz, you are indeed wize.

I reside in Sarasota, so I should no difficulty in finding skilled journeywomen to do the assigned task. I may even have it clayed.

 

Dwight,

I'm sorry my friend but once again you have made me laugh so hard I have tears in my eyes! You have done it now several times (i.e. back support & Solstice "poser" posts) and you have now done it again!

I only hope that when your car is detailed that you will share pictures (in process versus post process) And you most certainly are an inspiration.

Stay safe my wise friend...


Respectfully,


Paul (MisterTaz)

 

In order to remove sanding marks completely, including all "tracers", you'll really need a high speed rotary, a wool cutting pad and some pretty potent compound. This is even when finishing with 2000 grit paper. Trying to pull them out with a D/A is an exercise in frustration at best.

 

First off, you shouldn't have to wash after each step. A good wash and dry to start is really all that's needed, especially if you're using a quick detail spray as your clay lube and you're wiping each area dry as you go. Also, I hope by "wash rinse let dry" you don't mean you're just letting the vehicle air dry - avoid this at all costs as it leads to water spotting.

As for the phantom wax you're experiencing, does this seem to keep coming back in the same place(s) all the time? Does it just appear to be more of a light haze/cloudiness/film or dried wax? Does it wipe off very easily or do you have to work at it? Is the phantom wax splotchy in appearance or fairly uniform over the vehicle?

I have seen only three instances where use of a quick detail spray left a strange, light haze on black vehicles. Actually, "cloudiness" is a better word. I could swipe my fingers across this haze and leave a trail behind, but in about an hour the finger tip trails were gone and the uniform cloudiness returned. The really strange thing was in all cases the cars were treated with the same mix of products I've seen on literally hundreds of cars without issue. Same stuff I use on my own cars, as a matter of fact, and all the black cars we have here at work. We still can't explain it, but the only solution was to switch to M34 Final Inspection as a quick detailer. That did the trick in all three cases.

 

It is dry and powdery. Especially on a hot day. It hides in folds ie edge of door, retractable spoiler and corners. Wioes of very easily.

 

That sounds like polish residue or pollen.

 

Lot of talk about wax. Why not take a day and hand wax. What is the best wax? Is twice a year enough? I drive my Crossfire on nice days. Wash it once a week and keep it in the garage. I have an 08 Coupe and want to keep it nice. So I am asking what kind of carwash and wax is the best if you do it yourself. Thanks

 

I don't think there is a best wax. There are a lot of great products out there. I use Zaino and have for almost 10 years now. Its easy to use, a bottle of polish lasts me a good six months and I polish two cars, mine and a Mercedes C240 once a month, every month. I also use their Detail spray, Z-6. As for car wash I use Meguiars Gold. Of all the stuff I have tried (I used to use dish detergent and there is a big difference) that is the best. There are a ton of fine wax companies out there and I think the key is find a product that works for you but DO use something and do it regularly. I had a neighbor come over to me a few years ago and ask what I used on my car to keep it so nice? She and her husband wanted to make their Sebring look like our cars. I laid out my whole program to her and it is a program I stick to. I'm the nut you see out there in 34 degree weather washing their car........... she listened but didn't do any of it. Too much like work I guess. That's the other ingredient you have to understand in all of this, its not just the products you use you have to keep it up.
I'm getting ready to do my spring cleaning which will include Claybar the paint, cleaning the backs of the wheels, Re painting wheel wells and brake calipers and other things I have painted on the car. So there is a lot more to it than what wax you use.
Good luck!

 

I have to agree with Pat....... it's more than just wax to get your car looking its best. But we all have different expectations, needs and wants. Even if all you want to do is wax the car and nothing more, I would still do it 3 or 4 times a year and not just twice. Whether you like Zaino, Adam's, Meguiar's NXT, Mother's Syn Wax, P21S or Pinnacle is up to you. All are easy to use and will give a great shine on a well prepped surface. Also make sure to select a dedicated car wash soap rather than a dish soap - those are designed to cut grease so they'll cut wax too.