Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

[MtCamry09]

Hello everyone,

I bought a 09 Camry back in December, and tried to keep it clean during the winter by bring it to a car wash a few times since there was a ton of salt on the surface. Since it's the summer, I like to wash it at home.

After washing/waxing it today, there are marks on the paint which I have no idea how to explain.
Here are the pictures:



They are much more visible than what's in the pictures. Although I tried as best I could to have them show up. If need be, I'll take some new pictures tomorrow in the sunlight.

I washed with blue coral car wash. Followed by Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Wax using the pad and a microfiber towel. From what I originally read elsewhere the wax shouldn't be left on the surface for long because it's incredibly hard to rub off after it dries. I left it on for about 60 seconds before rubbing it off. After reading up on waxing here and The Finger Test, what I originally read was the opposite.

Now I'm not sure if was the waxing that caused this, or if it's something else. It's only visible on the hood and trunk lid. The sides seem to look fine. What did I do??

I plan on washing with Dawn dish soap to strip the wax and start over next week (unless there's a better way to strip).

Thanks,
Matt

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

I can see it and it looks to me like you have some left over residue from the wax. After reading that you only left it 0n for 60 seconds, it makes perfect sense.

The key to waxing is putting on a thin, even coat. Once applied, you want to let it sit for a few minutes, checking occasionally with a quick finger swipe to see if the swiped section streaks, or wipes away cleanly.

If it streaks, the wax still needs to set up further. If not, it is time to remove the wax.

As long as the car has been inside and is still clean you may be able to just do a wipe down with a quick detailer spray and remove the remaining residue. If not, a simple regular wash should do the trick. Leave the dish soap in the kitchen.

Let us know if you need any more help, and let us know if it works!

Mark

[BlueZero]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Try spraying a detailing spray on and wiping it off. Sometimes I get that too.

[thescreensavers]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

yup, Quick detailing spray should take care of this. I had little spots my self fixed it all up with some QD

[akimel]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

It's been a while since I last used Gold Class liquid wax, and I do not recall how long it typically takes to dry; but you do need to let it dry. All of Meguiar's waxes, with the possible exception of UQW, need to dry before being buffed off. Otherwise, you might encounter streaking and residue problems. Use the Swipe Test. Since drying is affected by humidity, temperature, and other conditions, the swipe test is more accurate than using a stopwatch.

Cheers,
Al

[Eddie6th]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

I hadn't used GC liquid wax for a long time,but actually just used it yesterday and today.it's one of the easiest waxes to work with.It wipes off so easily,(as long as the surface is clean).In summer weather,it takes about 5-10 mins before it's ready to be wiped off.

You were getting mixed up with polishes.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

I also have used a quik detailing spray for this problem. Let the wax set up longer. It should still be okay to remove.

[MyFirstES300]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Happens all the time on my 02' dark blue corolla. It should disappear with one or two more washings.

[DarkBlue]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Happens all the time on my 02' dark blue corolla. It should disappear with one or two more washings.

Thats right...

MtCamry09: It is a thin-layer of left over wax...

[MtCamry09]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Thanks guys. I just wanted to make sure I didn't mess anything up too bad, or something wrong with the paint as it being somewhat new. I'll be rewashing again tomorrow, so hopefully it'll turn out better this time.

Quick question...
What's the difference between these two products (other than ounces):


I've been using the regular Quik Detailer that came with the clay bar kit. Any big difference with the Ultimate?


Thanks,
Matt

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Hi Matt,

Quik Detailer is a great product for normal cleaning off of light surface contaminants, as well as being used for clay bar lube. But it doesn't offer anything in terms of protection.

ULTIMATE quik Detailer, (as the name implies) is really the Ultimate QD because it not only removes finger prints, light dust, etc, but it leaves behind a HydroPhobic Polymer protective coating that actively causes beading and sheet of water. It dramatically increases the resistance to water staying on the surface of the vehicle (while moving or vertical panels), and it also does a fantastic job of beautifying the paint with some extra gloss and wetness.

Mike Phillips often referred to UQD as the "date night" QD, where as normal Quik Detailer is more of a work horse type product.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[Calais]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Thanks guys. I just wanted to make sure I didn't mess anything up too bad, or something wrong with the paint as it being somewhat new. I'll be rewashing again tomorrow, so hopefully it'll turn out better this time.

Quick question...
What's the difference between these two products (other than ounces):


I've been using the regular Quik Detailer that came with the clay bar kit. Any big difference with the Ultimate?


Thanks,
Matt

Okay, I've never used UQD so maybe my opinion is invalid but I've found QD to be more than sufficient as a quik detailer. It smells great, produces a lovely shine and is very affordable. I was told that UQD is not worth the extra money so I never ponied up for it, but I guess its worth a try.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

I'd stick with Quik Detailer for what you are doing: QDing off the old wax and re-waxing the proper way. The hydrophobic polymers wouldn't matter if you're going to wax the car anyway, they'd be under the wax.

[MtCamry09]

Re: Messed Up Washing/Waxing Today

Thanks everyone.

Washing today went pretty quick since there was still a nice coat of wax on. So I'll probably end up waxing every other week. I'll pick up some UQD and see how it works out.

Thanks,
Matt