After Waxing Is Done...

[Couper]

I just washed and waxed my car, Meguiar's style, and I have a question. When headlights or driveway lights hit the surface just right, I can see where I cleaned up the wax. They look like smudges, but have characteristics of swirl marks. Note, they are not swirl marks though, because if I wipe with another microfiber cloth, the smudge goes away, but it still present if viewing from another angle.

This is kind of hard for me to explain, but I really need some help with this. The car looks great, but it's smudgy. That's the best I can explain it as.

Do I need better microfibers or am I neglecting a step?

[William_F]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

You may have just missed a few spots when you did the wipe off. I like to go over the car one last time with clean MF and a slow, deliberate pass to make sure I get it all. Sometimes, I'll take it a step further and use QD spay on the final wipe.

[Murr1525]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

You also may have applied your wax to thickly, which is a common mistake, and makes it hard to wipe off.

No damage is done, you can QD or UQD if your car is not dirty, or wash if it is dirty. One of those will usually remove the smudges.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

This has happened to me. Do a qd to the car and you will be fine.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

I've had the same problem at times...washing will take care of it!

[yalerd]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

Could be that you applied the wax to thick, next time try applying it very thin. Also the environment conditions could lead to this (humidity/low temps).

Using QD or similar mist and wipe product could remove this, also applying another coat of wax this time very very thin or even washing the vehicle again if you have the time and prefer this

[Couper]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

Thank you everyone for your help. Fortunately, it rained yesterday morning, removing the smudges somehow. Next time I wax, I'll try applying it in smaller amounts. If I still get the smudges, I'll follow up with some QD.

Thanks again!

[weis]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

hi guys, hope TS doesnt mind I hijack your thread..

I was wondering is it OK for me to UQD a wax-ed car(which has not been driven outside at all after first layer of wax, but parked inside a open-air garage).. then apply a 2nd layer of wax?

thank you all

[Michael Stoops]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

It really sounds like a case of applying the wax too heavy and then not letting it dry long enough before removal. A heavy coat prolongs drying time and is more difficult to remove, yet it offers no upside in the process!

This is what a heavy coat of wax looks like - do not do this!


This is a properly thin coat of wax - it dries very quickly, even in cooler temps, and wipes off effortlessly and completely.


And here's a side-by-side of wax applied correctly, and too heavy. The too heavy side makes this black body panel look white; not good.

[Murr1525]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

I was wondering is it OK for me to UQD a wax-ed car(which has not been driven outside at all after first layer of wax, but parked inside a open-air garage).. then apply a 2nd layer of wax?

Yes, that is a good way to do it. Or just use QD, since it will be cheaper, and you are covering/removing the UQD anyway.

[Couper]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

Thanks Michael! That's really helpful. It seems that I was putting the wax on too thick. It wasn't as thick as those photos, but it was darker than the desired amount.

I'll shoot for the proper technique next time I wax!!!

[roushstage2]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

Just make sure if you have the smudges, don't try to remove them with QD or by washing until the wax has fully cured for 24 hours. The smudges happen though.

[weis]

Re: After Waxing Is Done...

Yes, that is a good way to do it. Or just use QD, since it will be cheaper, and you are covering/removing the UQD anyway.

hi there.. thanks a lot for ur reply.. it really bothers me sometimes cos i do not have time to wait the 1st layer of NXT to cure.. hehe