Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

[Piemat]

I'm sure I am not the only person that has had this issue, but I was unable to find any previous discussion regarding this.

I've got an all original '82 corvette. I thought the paint was in good condition until I attempted to wax it by hand for the first time. I started on one of the T-tops and it seemed the paint became polished, however it turned the cloth I was using red. It seemed as though I was rubbing the paint off, but it really didn't look bad and felt smooth. I tested other areas of the car and stopped in fear that I would destroy the cars finish. I was using meguiars wax in the maroon bottle.

Also, in certain light and when the car is wet after washing, it looks like something was splashed on the car that dulled the paint. It is only on the front of the car It doesn't look like the pictures of water spots on this site, but it looks the car wasn't dried properly after being washed, but it has been. The cloud is solid in some places and in drops in others.

Unfortunately, I am away from the car and won't be able to post pictures for two weeks.

Does anyone here have any suggestions or explanations as to what is going on? What products should I use? I don't feel like the car needs to be repainted, because it shines well and the car has been garaged most if not all of it's life. Also, I am trying to keep it original. Over time does even the best manicured paint fail?

[Carfire]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

Sorry I can not help you.
Hopefully some one else knows what your problem is.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

From what you're describing, you have Single stage paint, no need to panic, it sounds perfectly normal. Some where along in the 1980's car manufacturer's started using clear coat on top of the base coat. What you're seeing is just dead or oxidized paint coming off, sort of like dead skin so to speak.

Here's a thread Mike Phillips just posted showing the pigment or dead paint coming off onto the applicator http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...le+stage+paint

On single stage paints, using a polish rich in polishing oils will really bring the paint back to life before you wax it. Using something like the Deep Crystal system in the consumer line, or #7 in the Mirror Glaze line would look great, then apply the wax.

[new2detailing]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

Chances are the paint is a single stage paint (not a clear coat). The oxidized paint was removed and transferred on your applicator, thus turning it red. This happens with single stage paints. Post a picture at your convenience to show the problem area in the front of the car.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

Here's the thread of a 93 Bronco I did a few years back, but it shows the oxidized paint the the progress as I was polishing it. My pads and towels would turn black.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19567&highlight=Bronco

[Piemat]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

Here's the thread of a 93 Bronco I did a few years back, but it shows the oxidized paint the the progress as I was polishing it. My pads and towels would turn black.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Bronco

You sure that bronco wasn't repainted? WOW! Good job. I will take some pictures and get to work ASAP. Thanks

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

No worries. Just single stage paint. I would definitely get some pure polish. Either #5, or #7 before applying the wax.

[yalerd]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

Single Stage paint, so you are transfering paint pigment to the applicator pad (microfiber, terry cloth towel, foam pad)

No worries

[Piemat]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

Since a corvette is fiberglass, would #5 shine better? I'm looking for the mirror effect that I see in pictures on this forum.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

As others have already mentioned, your car has single stage paint. While you are indeed transferring paint onto your applicator that really is not a bad thing. In reality, you're really just sort of "tinting" your applicator when using something as gentle as a cleaner wax.

Even if this vehicle were allowed to heavily oxidize, in which case the red would fade to a milky, blotchy pink shade, you could effectively remove that oxidation with some more aggressive products and reveal a beautiful red finish once again.

A classic example of this is the red Mercedes 450SL that was the subject of an extreme makeover a while back. You can see pictures of the transformation at http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19372

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cloth turns the color of the paint when removing wax

I was using meguiars wax in the maroon bottle.

This is our A12 Cleaner/Wax introduced in 1973 and still going strong today. It's also improved whenever new chemistry and technology is introduced.

As mentioned by others, it sounds like this Corvette has a single stage paint. Corvettes were being painted with clear coats as early as 1980 as I've had the good fortune to work on an all original, number's matching 1980 Corvette at the National Corvette Restoration Society's national meeting in 2007

Corvettes are built in two different plants and in those years one plant was spraying the new clear coat paints and the other plant was spraying traditional single stage paints. At least that's as much as I know and think is correct as I'm not a Corvette historian, just a guy that's worked on some old Corvettes and done my best to listen to the owners discuss Corvettes when working at these kinds of events.

Here's another all original 1981 Corvette with a factory clear coat that I had the good fortune to work on,

Basecoat/clearcoat history?


The A12 Cleaner/Wax is a light cleaner/wax and together with a clean soft applicator pad should clean the paint lightly which is why you're seeing red pigment coming off but this will help to restore and insure a very rich, even looking red color. Work small sections at a time and really work the product over the paint like you were rubbing a skin lotion into dry skin. Use the product wet or heavy for this particular finish, you want plenty of liquid chemical cleaners and polishing oils penetrating into the paint as you work.

After you work a section let the wax on that section dry and move on to the next section until you've covered the entire car. After the wax has dried wipe off the residue with a clean plush microfiber polishing cloth.

Another great approach for single stage paint would be to use a multiple step approach using a dedicated paint cleaner, followed with a dedicated pure polish followed with a dedicated pure wax.

For example,

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner or M80 Speed Glaze (both can be applied by hand)
#7 Show Car Glaze
#26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax


Single stage paints are becoming more and more rare and most people after working on both clear coat paints and then working on a single stage paint find they actually enjoy working on the single stage paint as it's easier in most cases as the paint is softer and the results are more dramatic.

It's just bit messier as all your applicators and wiping cloths will get stained. Simply wash with a quality detergent and don't worry about any of the pigment that lingers on in your polishing cloth it won't affect the performance of the cloth in the future.

Lucky guy!