Is my wax not sticking?

[MadCow]

I waxed my 04 taco a while back, and I think i'm haveing the same problems again. Last weekend I clayed, colorX'd, and then applied nxt 2.0 wax. I let the colorx set for 15mins+ so the wax would set in, and the paint felt so smooth. But then I went to wash the truck so I could make sure nothing was left behind so the NXT 2.0 would stick to the paint, and after I dried the truck is wasn't a smooth as I remebered. Well then I went to apply NXT 2.0 over the whole truck and let it dry for 15mins+, then wiped it off. The paint felt amazing agian, and look amazing as well. But I don't think the wax is staying on, because today I drove in the rain and I dried off the truck in a spot to feel the smoothness of the paint. Well the spot that I dried off wasn't as smooth as I remebered it being . So I don't think my wax is sticking at all when I wash/the truck gets wet. What could I be doing wrong? I used Mothers quick detailer as a lub for the claybar, I made sure to wipe it off when I was done with that section of the panel. And I used meguiars deep crystal soap. I'm confused :/.

[new2detailing]

Re: Is my wax not sticking?

I would recommend NOT washing the vehicle right after you waxed it. Allow it to set up on the paint. Now, the wax is being exposed to UV rays, contaminants, heat, dew, rain, etc. It will break down (all protectants will) but the wax needs to bond to the paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is my wax not sticking?

The wax is sticking as long as you're properly preparing the paint and you are and you're allowing it to fully dry before removing.

Everyone loves a slick feeling but that's going to diminish if you wash it and as time goes by.

The important thing to know is your paint is as protected as it can be without leaving it parked in a garage.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Is my wax not sticking?

You mention in your post, that after applying the nxt 2.0 you waited 15 minutes before removing. Instead of timing the wax, why not perform the swipe test. Maybe you are not letting it haze over enough? Plus I would wait a minimum of 24 hours before I washed it.

[MadCow]

Re: Is my wax not sticking?

Thanks for the help guys . Ok good tip, next time I won't wash my truck after I apply the first wax. What my thinking was is that I might have had some type of residue left over from the ColorX and it's wax, and I didn't think the NXT 2.0 would bond well with it. I think the slick feeling is still there, the paint was just really humid and not dry when I tried to dry the water off of it today. And that is a good point that I probably shouldn't time my wax, I've read about the swipe many times. I should have tried it, darn I feel stupid now ahahah. But thanks for the tip i'm going to go read up on some for the next time I put wax on a vehicle . Thanks for the help guys, i'm pretty sure that my NXT 2.0 stuck this time, the water still beads up and the paint feels slick anyway .