Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

[Telexen]

Hey. I have planned on going over my car with a buffer and the Ultimate Compound solution for a few weeks to get rid of some scratches, but have had some setbacks. I'm now looking at another 2 weeks before I can do it, but my car is in severe need of a wax.

I have a bottle of Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0 I was planning on using to finish up my detailing. If I go ahead and wash the car well and wax now, am I going to be able to wash it off in a couple weeks so I can do the buffing on it? From what I understand, using dish soap should wash off waxes, but I'm not sure what else above wax the Tech Wax 2.0 qualifies as.

Thanks for any help.

[Alex C.]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Do it to it. You won't have any problems removing it when you need to. A dawn bath as you mentioned, or even a good claying will get you to a good starting point again.

[Telexen]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Awesome. I'm not sure why claying it didn't come to mind. Thanks a bunch.

[Alex C.]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

BTW, welcome to MOL.

[tcope1]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Using UC will take NXT right off the paint so there is no need to use a harsh detergent to remove it.

I'd recommend claying the vehicle first if you are going to use UC. This way the chemical is being laid on uniformly the same as you'd want from wax. Plus, it just makes sense to do the whole job, not half of it. That is, if you are going to remove swirl marks, then remove all imprefections from the paint while you are at it.

Personally I'd not recommend using a harsh detergent based on info taken from this site. It's not the worst that could be done to paint but it is harsh and just not needed. As mentioned, the UC is going to remove any LSP and Mequiars manufactures their products to layer on top of each other. If you don't UC in a certain place and some NXT is left, placing NXT on top of that NXT is just fine. It does not layer, it just ensures one good coat.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Using UC will take NXT right off the paint so there is no need to use a harsh detergent to remove it.

I'd recommend claying the vehicle first if you are going to use UC. This way the chemical is being laid on uniformly the same as you'd want from wax. Plus, it just makes sense to do the whole job, not half of it. That is, if you are going to remove swirl marks, then remove all imprefections from the paint while you are at it.

Personally I'd not recommend using a harsh detergent based on info taken from this site. It's not the worst that could be done to paint but it is harsh and just not needed. As mentioned, the UC is going to remove any LSP and Mequiars manufactures their products to layer on top of each other. If you don't UC in a certain place and some NXT is left, placing NXT on top of that NXT is just fine. It does not layer, it just ensures one good coat.

+1 But if it were me....I would just wait the 2 weeks and then clay first, UC, and then the 2.0. Why waste the time and wax if the surface hasn't been prepped? You'll get FAR better results.

[the_invisible]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

For temporary protection, use a Wash & Wax Car Soap. Many people on MOL may feel offended and disgusted when hearing about such product, but a reasonably priced One Step Wash & Wax Car Soap does indeed wash, protect, enhance shine, and bead water fairly well for the little amount of time you need to spend on it. If you want protection for two weeks, that may be what you should be after. It does no harm to the car and it does what it does: clean and protect.

[Telexen]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

I am planning on a full-on wash, clay, wash, UC, swirl remover (if it looks like it's necessary after the UC), then re-wash to remove any residue, and Tech Wax.

I think I will avoid the dish soap...at least try to clay it. I don't mind claying it because I live in a slightly secluded area and have a BIG problem with dust blowing and settling into the car. I'm amazed every time I clay the front bumper what I get out.

Thanks for the help guys.

[SpinsB]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Interesting thread. I too am wanting to try some new product on my perfectly cleaned and waxed WS6. wanting to clay spots that need it swirlx glaze7 then tech 2.0 Is it necessary to wash after claying and even swirlx?

[Telexen]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Without a doubt after the claying. You'll have heavy residue left between the lubricant (I use quick detailing spray) and the clay bar.

With the SwirlX...I haven't had a chance to use it specifically yet, but it is like compound. Depending on how well you work it in and wipe it off there could be some left on. You can go either way I guess, but I don't feel comfortable trapping that stuff underneath wax and sealant on my car...even if it's a minute amount.

[SpinsB]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

So your saying you would wash after claying and after swirlx?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

If you clay with Quik Detailer and wipe each area dry as you work around the vehicle, there is no need to wash again after this. You can go straight into your paint cleaning step. With all due respect to Telexen, we have clayed literally hundreds of vehicles for demos, classes and other projects and have never experienced a "heavy residue" after doing so. Even if any very light film of Quik Detailer remained because of an improper wipe off, it would be so light as to be inconsequential - the paint cleaning step would remove this even easier than it would remove a previous coat of wax.

Extra wash steps between various compounding/cleaning/polishing steps may yield that extra "wow" when dealing with virtually flawless paint on a show car, exotic or other very limited use vehicle. But for a daily driver, in most cases it's overkill. We even consider the pure polish step to be option, yet it would result in greater visual gains than washing after using SwirlX (unless, perhaps, you're using SwirlX or another paint cleaner incorrectly - in which case other issues need addressing!). Having said that, it certainly isn't "wrong" to take these extra steps on a daily driver so if you are so inclined then by all means, have at it. But do you need to? No.

[SpinsB]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

the car i will be working on is not my DD just my weekend fun. here is what i was thinking correct if wrong. wash,clay,swirlx,maybe wash again, polish#7 or #81, tech wax. ??

[Telexen]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

If you clay with Quik Detailer and wipe each area dry as you work around the vehicle, there is no need to wash again after this. You can go straight into your paint cleaning step. With all due respect to Telexen, we have clayed literally hundreds of vehicles for demos, classes and other projects and have never experienced a "heavy residue" after doing so. Even if any very light film of Quik Detailer remained because of an improper wipe off, it would be so light as to be inconsequential - the paint cleaning step would remove this even easier than it would remove a previous coat of wax.

Extra wash steps between various compounding/cleaning/polishing steps may yield that extra "wow" when dealing with virtually flawless paint on a show car, exotic or other very limited use vehicle. But for a daily driver, in most cases it's overkill. We even consider the pure polish step to be option, yet it would result in greater visual gains than washing after using SwirlX (unless, perhaps, you're using SwirlX or another paint cleaner incorrectly - in which case other issues need addressing!). Having said that, it certainly isn't "wrong" to take these extra steps on a daily driver so if you are so inclined then by all means, have at it. But do you need to? No.

Maybe it was your Meguiar's clay bar, maybe it was what I got out of the clearcoat with it, but I wasn't going to take the time to dry every spot I cleaned, especially after I saw what was left over. Very white, covering the car in the circle shape I used to rub the car. This is when it dried...but I wouldn't just want to wipe it off while it was wet and call it good. If the claying is actually necessary on the car due to the residue etched into it, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to wash that out.

It's not even that tough to wash it after. If you plan on doing it, the drying step on the pre-wash is pretty much optional since you'll be claying and washing again. It's not as if I'm the only one who does this, every person who has told me they clay their car washes it both before and after.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Washing off Tech Wax 2.0?

Maybe it was your Meguiar's clay bar, maybe it was what I got out of the clearcoat with it, but I wasn't going to take the time to dry every spot I cleaned, especially after I saw what was left over. Very white, covering the car in the circle shape I used to rub the car. This is when it dried...but I wouldn't just want to wipe it off while it was wet and call it good.

Generally when we see clay dragging and/or smearing on the paint it's because of either too much pressure on the clay, not enough lube, and/or moving the clay too slowly over the surface. When we teach clay use in our Saturday classes, or do it with someone for the first time on Thursday nights, drying the area is no more of a process than doing a routing quick detail wipedown of any vehicle. Well, there's more QD on the surface, but a couple quick wipes with the towel and it's dry. Heck, we just did this yesterday afternoon on a black Mercedes CL55 AMG and didn't leave anything behind.

If the claying is actually necessary on the car due to the residue etched into it, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to wash that out.

Claying only removes above surface bonded contaminants, not things etched into the paint as those are, technically, below surface defects. Contrary to the common belief that clay "grabs" or "plucks" contaminants from the surface, it actually removes bonded contaminants through an abrasive action, similar to a sanding action, except it pulls the minute particles into the clay. That's why you see all the black, brown and yellow crud accumulating on/in the clay and why you have to knead the clay to reveal fresh material. There should be nothing to "wash out" as the clay is holding it away from the paint, with the QD lube minimizing the clay interacting with the paint.