Is the wax gone?

[hanugro]

Hi all,

I just wax (synthetic based) a car and it produce a smooth, silky and slippery surface (more slippery than the car glass). One week away, I wash the car with a wash and wax car shampoo and now the silky and slippery surface is gone. The surface still gives the same feel as the car glass though. I am just curious whether this mean that the wax has gone and I need to wax it again?
Will a carnouba based wax gives better result to prolong this slippery surface feel?

Thanks in advane for your thought!

[6318]

Tough question...no easy answer...
Technically there is no way to definitively know how long your wax is protecting...

That being said, the Meguiars position (from what I understand...staff, feel free to correct me)(and it makes sense to me) is that beading is not an appropriate way to determine protection.
Your method of smoothness is pretty close to what they recommend...they recommend observation with washing...when the car looses that 'glass feeling' when washing, or dust doesn't seem to just wipe right off with no scrubbing...time to rewax...

[jfelbab]

Re: Is the wax gone?

Originally posted by hanugro
Hi all,

I just wax (synthetic based) a car and it produce a smooth, silky and slippery surface (more slippery than the car glass). One week away, I wash the car with a wash and wax car shampoo and now the silky and slippery surface is gone. The surface still gives the same feel as the car glass though. I am just curious whether this mean that the wax has gone and I need to wax it again?
Will a carnouba based wax gives better result to prolong this slippery surface feel?

Thanks in advane for your thought!

Your "wash and wax shampoo" may have left a different film on the surface, one not as slippery as the original wax.

If you want to maintain that slippery feel, I'd suggest waxing with NXT Tech Wax, washing with NXT Tech Wash, and after washing follow up with Quik Detailer or NXT Tech Booster Spray Wax.

[hanugro]

Do you mean whether the washing mitt will glide on the car surface? It sure glide OK!

Do you mean to wipe the dust with microfibre/terry towel when the car surface is dry? Can I use a wool duster to test this?

I also want to know, on average, does the car surface stay the same, as after you wax it, when you wash it again several times?

Thanks all!

[6318]

Do you mean whether the washing mitt will glide on the car surface? It sure glide OK!

Yes, that's part of it...
the other part I was talking about:

when the car looses that 'glass feeling' when washing, or dust doesn't seem to just wipe right off with no scrubbing

means that with good wax protection you should just be able to glide the mitt over the surface and let the soap do the work rather than having to scrub the dirt/dust off...this property will also begin to fail as wax protection wanes.

[Mark McGuire]

To find out if the wax is still there this is what you do. Take a cotton towel, make a ball in one end, put it on the paint and twist it back and forth, if it squeeks then the wax has gone. That is my understanding of the test, others might step in and tell how they understand it. I think usually good for about 3 months, depending on conditions. I hope this helps.

[DS9]

I haven't found a wax that keeps it's slickness for more than a few days or after a wash. I think if you rub your finger on the paint and you hear the squeeking sound you need to rewax

[hanugro]

Originally posted by DS9
I haven't found a wax that keeps it's slickness for more than a few days or after a wash. I think if you rub your finger on the paint and you hear the squeeking sound you need to rewax

Thanks, this statement make me feel secure. This month alone I have wax my new car 3 times with different waxes.

[supercharged]

"smooth, silky, and slippery surface" will be gone after a first car wash. Now how much will be gone will depend on what washing products did you use.
1 - Washing - use either NXT Wash or Gold Class.
2 - Drying - it is VERY IMPORTANT that you DON'T use any chamosis real or synthetic - because they do remove wax. The worst one is Absorber. Your wax will be completely gone after two washes then. I also tried water blades - and I don't recomennd them either. The best solution is microfiber drying towel like Meguiars wafle towel - http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...threadid=1318.

3 - Maintain your finish with quick dateiler.

[supercharged]

Everything I wrote above I have experienced on my own car. Wax once a month and your finish will be fine.