swirls on Scion XB

[rlawrence]

Hello - First I apologize if this post twice. I have a 2005 dark blue Scion XB that I recently purchased from a dealership here in Atlanta. The car looked good with the usual chips and little scratches you see in a Scion . The weather here until about 2 days ago has been overcast and or rain. There have been very few sunny days. I did a detail on it when there was 2 days of no rain to test out Ultimate Compound and NXT wax with great results.


Today I want to wash it and wax it again because we hard some serious rain for the last week or so and to add the pollen has been awful. Today was a nice sunny day. I used in order:

• Gold Wash with microfiber sponge

• Ultimate Compound applied with foam app pad evenly and removed with microfiber towel trying not to let it dry

• NXT wax applied with Meguiars foam pad evenly and removed with microfiber towel when totally dry

• Endurance tire shine

The car looks great in the shade but as soon as direct sun light hits there is a haze and what looked like swirl marks from where wax was applied.

I am not sure if this was my doing or the dealership but I can not
get it off. I tried applying another coat of UC with no change. The clear coat is not damaged but I am not sure how to resolve this. Do I use some less aggressive like SwirlX or something a little more aggressive like Scratch X 2.0 . I know UC is the most aggressive. I assume UC would be to aggressive for removing the above problem. Thanks for any responses and help. I am a little new to this as you tell.

Richard

[Murr1525]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

When you say haze from the wax, but its not going away...

Is it like smears of product left?

Or is it like real fine swirls?

If you apply the UC, can you see it removing swirls, causing any, leaving any marks behind?

What were you using to apply things?

[rlawrence]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

When I was applying the products I noticed no ill effect at all . It appeared all of product was off. I usually give a thorough wipe and buff after each section to make sure nothing was left over using as equal pressure as I can. It was not until I was in direct sun light. That I noticed what looked like swirl marks from foam pad and then some streaks. That's the best way I know how to describe it. I have to look closely and look at the paint from different angles to see what is really going on. The paint feels very smooth so I am not sure what it could be at this point. I don't know if it was something that has "always" been there or what.

[Murr1525]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

I dont recall xB paint being hard, so I am sondering if the UC or applicator may be too strong, and leaving marks?

[rlawrence]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

I am wondering that myself as it's only in direct sun light. On partly cloud or cloudy days it looks really good. You guys think Swirl X or Scratch X 2.0 would be better ? If so which should I try first ? Thanks again for getting my in the right direction . Keep in mind I am doing this by hand right now . I intend on getting a dual action polisher when I have the money.

[BS MXRacer]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

How did you apply the UC? You say you're kind of new, did you thoroughly work the product in allowing it time to remove the light swirling? Try working on an area that you're seeing swirls and streaking in with the UC. Apply the product with a decent amount of pressure and effort (we like to call it passion). Do a taped section like this.

Then take the car back out into the sun to see if the defects (swirls) were removed. You'll also be able to see if the UC is causing the streaking problem or even if it's leaving a mild haze. Usually a hazing will show up in a slight lightening of the color (black can turn a slight grey or just look not as dark). If that happens follow UC with a less aggressive product like Ultimate Polish or M205.

Again evaluate your test section in the sun to see if you've achieve your desired finish. Apply NXT 2.0 in a nice thin coat and allow to dry fully. Evaluate in the sun for the final time.

Now depending on when the streaks show up you'll then know by what step in your process they were caused by.

If it so happens that it appears only after applying NXT 2.0 there are a couple things you're most likely seeing. NXT 2.0 has a high polymer load which take time to fully cure (crosslink) which can take up to 12 hours or there is an uneven darkening of the paint as NXT 2.0 has the ability to darken paint especially darker colors. Give it time to fully cure or you can take a clean MF and lightly mist the towel with water before wiping it on each panel. For a more thorough explanation of streaking and this technique to eliminate them look at this thread about UW in post number 193.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46204&highlight=Sealant+streaking&page=20

[rlawrence]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

If I have understood how UC works; ( reading these forums ) proper application by hand should be a little passion and to not let the product completely dry. Because I have a dark blue car it's a little hard for me to gauge when I have rubbed in enough UC.

The next question I have is how much UC do you apply on a foam pad ? Is it okay to apply only in the middle or is it better to apply around the perimeter of the pad ? I assume the best way to apply is slow but firm circular motion ?

I do not have painters taper right now but I can work one section on the door because the Scion XB has a little shape on the doors . I will use this as my guide even though I know painters tape is probably better. Thanks again and will report !

[BS MXRacer]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

How you put UC on the pad is mostly personal preference (dot or circle), I would just check after you've worked your first section to make sure the whole pad has some UC on it. If you've got a dry spot on the applicator it could cause unwanted scratches later on.

[rlawrence]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

I did reapply and work UC a lot more on the hood of my car. This helped a lot . Tell me if I am wrong, When applying UC is best to rub in UC until it is almost not visible and the wipe off with a MF towel ? or does it matter. I know you are not suppose to let it dry. Thanks again for the help. Problem is almost solved of course the pollen in atlanta is so bad now it almost does not matter how good the car looks.

[BS MXRacer]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

Working it until it is almost transparent without drying is perfect then just wipe it off with an MF towel.

[rlawrence]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

what if i am still getting streaks or hazing after the wipe off ? Does that mean the pad or MF towel is to dirty ? Could it mean that UC is to strong at this stage and it would be better to go down to scratch x . Would it be recommend to try a terry towel for application to be more aggressive ?

The way I have been applying UC is slow but firm circles until the product is almost gone but I am guessing on a dark car what I need to look for is when the white color of the UC turns in to a clear wet film based on your reply.

Again thanks for all the help . It's more of a learning curve than I expected but I am enjoying the learning. I hope to get a DA polisher eventually . I know that will make a big difference.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: swirls on Scion XB

There is a fairly high probability that hand application of UC is overly aggressive for this paint. We see more Japanese built vehicles having fairly delicate to very delicate paint, and with a product as aggressive as UC, especially when applied by hand, some hazing can occur. This happens more so from pressure points created by your fingertips when applying the product. On extremely delicate paint we've even seen situations where you could clearly see the trails of the fingertips after very heavy pressure when applying.

If you need something as aggressive as UC to correct defects, then so be it. But if your paint is really delicate you may need to follow up with a less aggressive product - Ultimate Polish or even ColorX, applied lightly to moderately - can do wonders. See The Challenge of Delicate Paint for more info.