Problem w Flagship Wax

[BillE]

HELP! Here's the situation:

1) Working on the end caps of a fifthwheel trailer, white gelcoat. Not in bad shape, but needed more than a M50 job.

2) Used M44 with a DA, looked the best it has in 3 years.

3) M45, again with a DA. Did about 2x2 foot squares at a time, yes wiped of while still 'wet.'

a) all this was done in the shade, about 75* and fairly low humidity (we are getting a 2-3 day break from the high temp.humidity).

4) Layed a down a coat of Flagship Premium Paste Wax, M63 (new can) by hand using the enclosed foam applicator.

5) Let it set for a while. Did a swipe test, it was ready.

6) I wiped and wiped and wiped some more...had a devil of a time getting it off. As the sun was beginning to come to the end I was woking on, time to call it a day.

7) Later in the afternoon, I looked at my handy work and it looked like ****! It looks like the wax never came off. You can see each and every application trail from the applicator. Looks just like a newly applied wax job before wipe off.

I climed up the ladder to see if I could wipes it off...nope. Took a bit of product and applied to a 2 foot area just to see what would happen, now that area looks like 2 coats of just applied wax.

I will try another small area and try a reapplication, but if that doesn't work, thinking of trying to removed if with either M50 or the 44 and just use M16 wax (yea, still have a can!).

BUT, after spending $27 for the can of 63, I'd like to be able to use it.

ANY help you all can offer, I'm all ears!

Thanx

Bill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Problem w Flagship Wax

It sounds as though it might have been applied too heavily, but since you're a fan of M16 that tells us you've got a pretty good idea how to properly apply paste wax.

Give this a shot - go over the area quickly with any light cleaning product on your D/A, wiping off as you go. This should remove any of the wax very quickly and easily. Now switch to a finishing pad on your D/A and using a small knife, spatula, etc spread a bit of the paste onto the pad and D/A apply it. This should get you a very thin and uniform layer of wax that will dry very quickly and wipe off easily. Flagship Premium Marine Wax is normally incredibly easy to use and wipes off without issue. Without seeing in person what's going on here it's a bit tough to fully diagnose, but the above process should do well for you.

Of course, try a test spot first!!!! Just do the above to a 3' x 3' area and see how effective it is.

[BillE]

Re: Problem w Flagship Wax

Mr. Stoops,

Thank you for your reply. I think we could say like minds think alike.

After the original post, went and tried a tiny bit more of M63, needless to say that sure didn't work. Tried a bit of QD (hey, why not?)...nay, no joy with that one. Then I tried M50...Yahooo! That cut it right down. Again I tried a tiny area with M63, Still that streaky, greasey look. But we did find out that 50 will get me back to about page two.

Went over the whole area (just the back cap is what we're working on) with a white pad (LC). Looks great! Thought I'd do it once more, this time with a red pad (LC). Now that's what I'm looking for!


Then, I'm thinking...let's try the M63, but with the DA. Mind you I've never tried to use paste with the DA. But do know to use just a small amount of whatever product one is using. Did about a 2X2 area using a gold pad (LC)...it seems to work!!!

It is at this time I found your reply...like minds?

After the sun 'comes around' we'll know if the problem is solved. But that may be awhile...it raining pigs and chickens all of a sudden.

Just to let you know, I tried a pad of M63 on small area of the sidewall (these are Felon brand), no wipe down, no prep, just slapped it on. It came off as smooth as a babies toosh.

So, in conclusion; I'm guessing that MAYBE M63 does not want play nice with M45.

Again, I say thank you for your help!

Bill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Problem w Flagship Wax

Pigs & chickens you say!? What time is the BBQ??

Yes, great minds do think alike.......and apparently you and I do too.

Honestly, M63 and M45 should play together just fine but it could be that you aren't getting the M45 wiped off sufficiently. M50, being a cleaner wax, will remove a fair bit of it but M63 won't. Just thinking out loud here because that product combo should NOT being giving you headaches.

[BillE]

Re: Problem w Flagship Wax

BBQ? After these mid-west summer showers it's only the mosquitoes that attend. That or a lot of mid-west after shave..."OFF."

The test area came out really well. I did the whole thing (about 72 sqft) with the 63. I used about 3/4>1 TEAspoon for the whole area, at that rate this can will last well after I'm in 'the home.'

Used MF towels to wipe off, yes it was a WIPE off. Waited till the sun 'came around', looking good. Just a couple of spots that didn't wipe clean that the MF towels didn't touch, just use an old bath towel to wipe it off again. Final results are GRRRate!

Now for the nose cap. Just to give it a shot, I WON'T be using the 45 polish, just the 44, 50 and 63 topping. We'll see how that comes out. This will be time consuming, this time I have to wait for the sun to 'GO around'. The RV sits due East-West.

When I finish up, I will post my results/observations on this thread for what it's worth.

In the meantime, thank you so much for your help.

Bill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Problem w Flagship Wax

Good to hear you're getting some proper results now, Bill. Keep at it, and please post up some pix when you can.

[BillE]

Re: Problem w Flagship Wax

Mr. Stoops,

I'll give you the Readers Digest version so not to bore you with why it took me another week to finish the nose cap. But, let's just say between the tornado warnings, excessive heat warnings, etc...just wasn't conducive for 'wax on, wax off.'

In a nut shell, the nose didn't come out as well as the end cap. Did the same procedure as above except I did not use the 45 polish. Wanted to see of it was the polish or something else that caused the streaking so badly on the rear end (that doesn't sound right does it).

Well, you are correct! My streaking HAD to be from me applying Flagship to heavy. At least this time there was only a smallish section that I hand applied to. Hit with the 50 to clear it out, and then DA application of Flagship. M45 WILL be used next time.

The resaon (I think) the nose is 'less' than the aft is the front is not a vertical surface, but one the gently goes from vertical to a something more horizontal (you've seen the front of 5th wheel RVs), and the sun has taken its' toll. Now, I know I can get all the oxidation out, but hanging on to a 10 foot ladder and not being to able to "put passion to the pad" has a lot to do with it.

Plans now are to wait till next Spring (RV goes into Winter storage in 60 days [geeze, already?]) and borrow my BIL's scaffolding and THEN I should be able to get it.

In the meantime, I again say ThanK You for your help.

Bill