Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

[jj_jawn]

Hi Guys!

I noticed that after application of either the NXT tech wax or the UQW, the color on my bonnets appears to have 2 different patches of tone. I roughly understand these are streaks? or films? But what I can do to remove this effect?

I have no problem after applying my first coat of Color X, but after the 2nd coat of NXT, the patches/streaks are rather unsightly..

I managed to come across Mike's reply on one of the post;

Quote

From this thread: Re: Difference between NXT 2.0 vs M21 (Jul 1st, 2008, 12:20 AM &nbsp (http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/fo...t=24775&page=2)

Actually, if by the word 'film' you're referring to the dark and light patches, streaks or what people describe as a greasy look then we've had posts describing this with M21 also.

Unquote

But there isn't any further elaboration on this, so I hope some gurus can explain further what exactly is going on. Thank you!

[l SIC l]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Singapore's climate is absolutely terrible for vehicle detailing mate, especially outdoors lol... just go over the paint with 'Ultimate Quik Detailer' and a microfiber towel and those streaks will go

The streaking can be normal at times (especially in extremely humid climates as the surface is never really 'cool' to the touch), so don't fret.

[Murr1525]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Nxt can take a little longer to dry, and humidity only makes drying longer.

Just make sure you apply the coats of Nxt thin next time, and let them sit a bit longer.

The next wash, or some UQD, should help if it isnt too bad.

[jj_jawn]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Hi Mates!

So I guess streaks are normal? But can anyone explain this effect technically? As in what really causes it like that..

[Murr1525]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Its just excess product on the surface that didn't get removed because it wasnt dry.

I wouldn't say streaks are 'normal', but they happen, nothing damaging. The better your technique gets to apply thin, and to make sure it dries completely, the less and less you'll get until you rarely get them.

[akimel]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

jj, did you apply the NXT by hand or machine? Were you able to put it on thin? How long did you wait until you buffed it off? How long did you wait before you applied the second coat?

You may find this article helpful.

The usual solution to NXT streaking is two-fold: (1) apply it thin and (2) allow it to set-up longer than usual before buffing off (30-45 minutes--in your high humidity climate, maybe even longer). You may also want to wait 12+ hours before applying a second coat--this will allow the NXT to fully cross-link.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Streaking or a patchy appearance usually comes down to a couple of things - not allowing the product to dry fully and/or not applying it evenly.

NXT Tech Wax 2.0 can noticeably darken paint, especially darker colors. If you don't apply it evenly then there is a chance that, at least initially, you'll see more darkening in some areas than others. You've probably all heard the recommendation for letting synthetic polymer sealants cure for 12-24 hours before applying a second coat. Well, the reason for that is because a synthetic polymer product like NXT (and many more products on the market) cure through a process known as cross-linking. This linking together of the polymer chains is what makes a synthetic product generally last longer and protect better than a carnauba product. Generally. But while this cross-linking is taking place, it's fairly amazing just how dynamic the polymers can be on the surface. You can literally still push them around during the cross-linking process.

In a discussion with our VP of R&D recently we talked about a phenomenon observed recently: after allowing a polymer sealant to haze over and the excess was wiped off, if we shined a Brinkmann swirl finder light on the paint and wiped a towel over it, we'd see a smearing or streaking that showed up as a broad stroke in the direction we wiped the towel. Now, if we wiped the towel 90 degrees to the first wipe, that broad stroke of a smear would move 90 degrees. If we let things sit for a while and came back for another look, the smearing was gone.

Here's where it got interesting: the next morning, if we wiped with the towel again, we would still see a smear in the direction of the towel swipe, but it as a very short stroke and we could literally watch it disappear before our eyes. That's what prompted the discussion with R&D. The explanation? The polymers had not even come close to fully cross-linking immediately after wipe off, hence the long smear stroke we saw. By the next morning, most of the cross-linking had taken place, so the polymers could not be moved as much, and they would "settle" back down quite quickly.

Now, this translates quite well to the patchy darkening effect that comes from an uneven application of the product. Quite often things will settle out on their own, but you can help the process along quickly and easily. After you wipe off the hazed product, if you do see a bit of patchiness or unevenness in the color, take a clean and dry microfiber towel and fold it in quarters. Now spray a very small amount of plain water onto the towel - but go real easy on this, don't even get the towel quite damp. The easiest way to do this is to hold the towel flat in the palm of your hand, spray the water in the air and let it just fall onto the towel. One or two sprays is literally all you need. Now wipe the towel over the area of uneven color, and only add more water (using the same method) if you need to wipe another panel. Never let the towel become truly "wet" - barely damp is more like it. This tiny bit of water, and the gentle wiping action of the microfiber, will redistribute the polymers and even out the finish.

There does seem to be a correlation between the level of polymer present and/or the type of polymer used, and the amount of unevenness that can potentially occur. But the quick solution is the same, regardless.

[Ron-M]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

A most interesting reply.

[jj_jawn]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Streaking or a patchy appearance usually comes down to a couple of things - not allowing the product to dry fully and/or not applying it evenly.

NXT Tech Wax 2.0 can noticeably darken paint, especially darker colors. If you don't apply it evenly then there is a chance that, at least initially, you'll see more darkening in some areas than others. You've probably all heard the recommendation for letting synthetic polymer sealants cure for 12-24 hours before applying a second coat. Well, the reason for that is because a synthetic polymer product like NXT (and many more products on the market) cure through a process known as cross-linking. This linking together of the polymer chains is what makes a synthetic product generally last longer and protect better than a carnauba product. Generally. But while this cross-linking is taking place, it's fairly amazing just how dynamic the polymers can be on the surface. You can literally still push them around during the cross-linking process.

In a discussion with our VP of R&D recently we talked about a phenomenon observed recently: after allowing a polymer sealant to haze over and the excess was wiped off, if we shined a Brinkmann swirl finder light on the paint and wiped a towel over it, we'd see a smearing or streaking that showed up as a broad stroke in the direction we wiped the towel. Now, if we wiped the towel 90 degrees to the first wipe, that broad stroke of a smear would move 90 degrees. If we let things sit for a while and came back for another look, the smearing was gone.

Here's where it got interesting: the next morning, if we wiped with the towel again, we would still see a smear in the direction of the towel swipe, but it as a very short stroke and we could literally watch it disappear before our eyes. That's what prompted the discussion with R&D. The explanation? The polymers had not even come close to fully cross-linking immediately after wipe off, hence the long smear stroke we saw. By the next morning, most of the cross-linking had taken place, so the polymers could not be moved as much, and they would "settle" back down quite quickly.

Now, this translates quite well to the patchy darkening effect that comes from an uneven application of the product. Quite often things will settle out on their own, but you can help the process along quickly and easily. After you wipe off the hazed product, if you do see a bit of patchiness or unevenness in the color, take a clean and dry microfiber towel and fold it in quarters. Now spray a very small amount of plain water onto the towel - but go real easy on this, don't even get the towel quite damp. The easiest way to do this is to hold the towel flat in the palm of your hand, spray the water in the air and let it just fall onto the towel. One or two sprays is literally all you need. Now wipe the towel over the area of uneven color, and only add more water (using the same method) if you need to wipe another panel. Never let the towel become truly "wet" - barely damp is more like it. This tiny bit of water, and the gentle wiping action of the microfiber, will redistribute the polymers and even out the finish.

There does seem to be a correlation between the level of polymer present and/or the type of polymer used, and the amount of unevenness that can potentially occur. But the quick solution is the same, regardless.

Hi Micheal,

Ah ha! Thank you! Now I get a real understanding on this. I was rather trouble initially as I thought i might have done something wrong during the application of the wax and simply don't understand the rationale behind it.

But having said that, is there any particular reason why it only happens on the bonnet surface? The side panels and boot was okay..or rather, most of the time I realize this effect only happens on the surface of the bonnet. The next thing that makes me wonder is, I will only wash the car only when the surface is cool or at night, thus could it still be the temperature?

[jj_jawn]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

jj, did you apply the NXT by hand or machine? Were you able to put it on thin? How long did you wait until you buffed it off? How long did you wait before you applied the second coat?

You may find this article helpful.

The usual solution to NXT streaking is two-fold: (1) apply it thin and (2) allow it to set-up longer than usual before buffing off (30-45 minutes--in your high humidity climate, maybe even longer). You may also want to wait 12+ hours before applying a second coat--this will allow the NXT to fully cross-link.

Hi Akimel,

I only applied the wax by hand with the Meguiars form pad. I wish I have the luxury to use a machine, but over here in Singapore, we have a designated washing bay in each estate and there are no power supply nearby..even if there is one, it is illegal to use it..

[l SIC l]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Did you drive your vehicle within 20-30 minutes of applying the wax? if so, the heat from underneath the bonnet would definitely influence how the wax dries on the finish (leading to the streaks that occurred).

[jj_jawn]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Nope! the streaks appear immediately after i wipe off the wax, of cos I waited for it to dry, normally about 1-2 hours before buffing off..

[l SIC l]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Well, that will also be a factor lol - the humid weather in Singapore just keeps a constant moisture that will always be present when waiting for your wax to dry, so you have to take that into consideration as well... by the way, 1-2 hours for wax to dry is unnecessary mate, heh.

Just go over it with 'Ultimate Quik Detailer' and you're good-to-go anyway, no more streaks

[jj_jawn]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Well, that will also be a factor lol - the humid weather in Singapore just keeps a constant moisture that will always be present when waiting for your wax to dry, so you have to take that into consideration as well... by the way, 1-2 hours for wax to dry is unnecessary mate, heh.

Just go over it with 'Ultimate Quik Detailer' and you're good-to-go anyway, no more streaks

But I realize NXT does take that much amount of time to dry, perhaps it could be weather here in SG that affect the drying time and normally i test the condition of the wax by doing the swipe test, and usually if I try to swipe say, 20-30mins, it smears "badly" like as if it is still wet..

But surprisingly, color X and cleaner wax dries way much much faster..normally after I'm done with the last part of the car, I can go ahead and buff off where I started.. :P

[l SIC l]

Re: Streaks..Streaks..Streaks..

Fair enough then mate, it just means that the humidity keeps the wax wet for a long time - you will have to get used to the streaking as we both know there are no 'air-conditioned' car parks in Singapore, it isn't really an issue though dude so no worries