Many specks of old wax on my car

[chazzz]

I am still learning how to maintain my Bimmer's paint. About six months ago, I waxed my car using Meguiar's NXT (by hand, using a damp terry-cloth covered sponge) and microfiber cloth to remove dried wax, by hand.

My Bimmer's paint is Montego Blue (fairly dark blue) and I see many "specks" of old NXT wax are still on my car (sort of white-bluish color wax). I guess I didn't remove haze, dried wax off in a proper way.

Questions:

1) what's the best way to remove dried wax - COMPLETELY- from the car's paint surface?

2) Will the Porter Cable 7424 help me to remove the wax? instead of microfiber cloth? Will it harm the paint?

3) I am planning to reapply NXT wax on my car, do I need to remove the old coat of wax by using the dishwasher soap?

4) I've noticed that after I waxed my car, it acts like a magnet to dust. The day after I waxed my car, I saw a fresh coat of dust on my car!! How do I avoid this? After the first wash (about 1 week after I waxed my car), it solved the problem. Does that happen to you before?? If I use a different brand or type of wax, it wouldn't happen again?

THANKS for your time in answering my questions.

[agp56]

Re: Many specks of old wax on my car

Welcome to MOL!
Here is a go at your questions......
1. Where is the dried wax?
2. Are you talking about trying to remove the dried wax, or wax removal the next time you wax?
3. The next time you wax, will you be claying before you wax? If so, that will remove the contaminants from the surface along with the previous wax coat(s).
4. Yes, the freshly waxed vehicle is a dust magnet. That is when many of us will use quick detailer products or a California Duster to remove the dust. Go ahead and use yout NXT because it happens with about all waxes.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Many specks of old wax on my car

1) I find the best way to remove dried wax is to apply either a small amount of wax to the spot and then wipe off before dry or use a cleaner wax over the affected area. Using the same wax that is dried as specks helps to liquify the wax a little bit, at least in my experiences, and it will be easier to remove.

2) You could use the PC7424 to remove the dried wax. Using a foam cutting pad you could use a microfiber bonnett, set the speed to about 3 and try to remove the wax. Do not apply to much pressure though because you could scratch the finish with the bonnet just the same as you could with apllying too much pressure with a microfiber towel.

3) You do not need to remove the old wax. You can apply another thin coat of wax over the former. You may have these spots of wax because you applied the wax too thick. I would not use dishwashing soap to wash your car unless your car is a dish. The cleaners are very harsh in dishwashing soap and will not only remove the wax but could remove some vital moisturizers in any rubber seals and the paint. Over time, not after one use, but over time this could cause damage to various parts of the car.

4) This will happen many times when removing wax. By rubbing a towel all over the car, you are charging the paint ever so slightly. The dust, pollen, etc. that is opposite the charge of the paint will attach itself to the paint. I do not know any cure for this but going over the car with QD afterwards seems to lessen the amount of particles that are attracted to the paint.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Many specks of old wax on my car

1) what's the best way to remove dried wax -

A lot ot time.

[yalerd]

Re: Many specks of old wax on my car

I waxed my car using Meguiar's NXT (by hand, using a damp terry-cloth covered sponge) and microfiber cloth to remove dried wax, by hand.

I would recommend applying wax using Foam Applicator Pad

1) what's the best way to remove dried wax - COMPLETELY- from the car's paint surface?

It really depends how it is. Sometimes if you missed a spot it could be remove just by using Quik Detailer or by washing your car the next week. If it's something that won't be removed with these methods because it's baked then a paint cleaner will help out or even Cleaner Wax.

2) Will the Porter Cable 7424 help me to remove the wax? instead of microfiber cloth? Will it harm the paint?

You can remove wax with a PC, but using a foam pad covered with a microfiber bonnet, never remove wax using a foam pad.

3) I am planning to reapply NXT wax on my car, do I need to remove the old coat of wax by using the dishwasher soap?

Since you waxed about six months ago, then just by washing and working on a clean surface you can apply a coat of wax.

4) I've noticed that after I waxed my car, it acts like a magnet to dust. The day after I waxed my car, I saw a fresh coat of dust on my car!! How do I avoid this? After the first wash (about 1 week after I waxed my car), it solved the problem. Does that happen to you before?? If I use a different brand or type of wax, it wouldn't happen again?

Rubbing the surface causes static and this attracts dust. It's not something related with the wax you are using, it's something you will see with any wax. It's not a wax problem, it's something related with the application and removal of wax.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Many specks of old wax on my car

A properly applied coat of wax should never be a problem to wipe off. If you're fighting your wax removal then you've done something wrong, simple as that.

Best practices would dictate that you evaluate the finish before waxing to determine if you need to remove bonded contaminants with clay and/or use a liquid paint cleaner to remove below surface defects. If you don't do these steps and your paint really needs this done, waxing can be a bit of a challenge. Clean and prep the paint properly first, however, and both the application and removal of your wax should be a piece of cake.

See the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle for more on these prep steps.

When you do apply wax, skip the damp terry cloth applicator and stick with the purple foam disc supplied with the NXT Tech Wax 2.0. It is the safest and most gentle way to hand apply the wax. You don't need to muscle it in when applying it, just use light to moderate pressure and apply to all the painted surfaces of the vehicle in a thin, uniform coat. You shouldn't need more than a couple of ounces to cover a full sized American sedan - a little goes a long way.

Once you've applied the wax, allow sufficient time for it to dry. A proper thin coat should be dry in 15 to 20 minutes unless the temperature is below 60F and/or the humidity is high. In cool and humid conditions it might take as long as an hour for it to dry, but that's pretty rare. A heavy coat will prolong drying time as well, but it won't gain you anything positive, so really try to apply as thin a coat as possible.

Use the Swipe Test to ensure the wax is fully dry before removal. When fully dry, wipe off should be done with a clean microfiber towel and all it should take is a couple of wipes to remove the dried product.