Announcement

**ADAuto** · Oct 17, 2011, 10:20 AM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

I am no pro either but here are some thoughts.

If the car has been negelected for a while and you had issues with droppings, I would definitely have clayed after washing. I think that it is an important step to ensure a proper surface.

When you say orbital buffer, do you mean the ones with handles on either side, you can buy them in most parts stores? If so, and I have never used one-not a pro here, but I think maybe it's ability is limited in comparison to say a PCXP unit. What kind of pressure and speed did you use? Also, I always remove product by hand so I am not sure how using the buffer would work. But as far as the UC drying, I have used it quite a few times and never had a problem with it removing hard. How big of an area did you do and how much product did you put down? I also think that if it is stubborn to come off, you can always hit it again with a little more UC and it should remove easier.

I don't see anything wrong with using #7. I have used it with good results. Again, I always remove by hand, not sure what the purpose of buffing the area after removing.

I may have used a pure wax such as #26 being that a cleaner wax isnt quite needed since you used UC and #7 already. It wouldn't hurt anything but you may have had a better shine with a 26 like product.

Again, I am not a pro and don't mean to knock your technique. This is just my opinion. Hope it helps.

**k3e3n0** · Oct 17, 2011, 11:42 AM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

Thanks for the feedback, deff dont see it as knocking me, i posted this so i could get some constructive criticism. the buffer was bought at autozone. i didnt put much pressure and as far a amount i used enough to make a thin coat. ive looked around on here and have seen picures of how much is too much and how much is just right. i worked a 2x2 area. what i ended up doing was adding a little more for it to come off. i wasnt sure about whats best: applying by buffer and removing by hand or vice versa???????? but it sounds like it seems to work for you to apply by buffer and remove by hand. and what about the application of the number 7,i used microfiber for everything but it does recommend using a terry bonnet or foam bonnet, does it make much difference? i used the cleanerbecause when i read the 5 step paint care article thats what sounded the best.

**Andy M.** · Oct 17, 2011, 12:00 PM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

Agreed. claying is one of the easiest and most important steps in a detail, especially on a finish that has been somewhat neglected. You will find that everything from there(claying) is easier as far as application and removal.

Andy

**Murr1525** · Oct 17, 2011, 12:01 PM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

I was reading the 5 step paint care artice and decided to do this minus the clay bar.

my first problem is what seems to look like bird droppings, ive used bug and tar remover but it hasnt been able to get it all out, although it has removed most. i was told UC could get it out. vehicle also has some swirls although its less than what ive seen on a lot of other vehicles my swirls seem to be deeper but there are less of them.

The Bug and Tar would remove deposits. If the dropping, etc has etched the surface, then it is just like a swirl/scratch.

First, i started with the UC working one small area at a time, applied with 6" orbital buffer with microfiber bonnet and removed with another microfiber bonnet. the problem i had was taking the compound off, there were spots where it was just stuck on the paint and i had to remove by hand with a microfiber towel. i know its not supposed to dry and i didnt feel like i left it on for long.

Usually best to just remove by hand. And as mentioned, hard to say how much work the buffer did. It might do it, with another application or two, or you may need something else.

Second, i followed this with show car glaze 7. applied by hand with a microfiber applicator pad, wiped with a clean microfiber towel(hand) then buffed with a microfiber bonnet. this is what the directions said so i followed, im thinking this step was done wrong

Sounds ok.

Third, i applied cleaner wax (paste) with the applicator pad it comes with allowed it to dry (did the swipe test) then removed/worked in with the buffer with microfiber bonnet, then removed the residue by hand with another clean microfiber towel.

This is were it drifts off.... By applying a cleaner/wax, you will have cleaned off the polishing oils from the #7, making that step useless.

followed up with UCW.

UCW? UQW maybe? That would be ok, though a liquid or paste being the best.

dont have any pics right now but it came out pretty good i can say im satisfied, but i used to have a black car and i remember just using a cleanerwax and the results were amazing. Not all of the swirls are removed and the bird droppings are still there. any feedback is much appreciated.

How old was the black car? Single stage paint?

**Murr1525** · Oct 17, 2011, 12:08 PM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

and what about the application of the number 7,i used microfiber for everything but it does recommend using a terry bonnet or foam bonnet, does it make much difference?

Really you just want something high quality, and then it is up to you. Terry is often very aggressive, and can cause its own swirls.

You at least have a better chance of foam/MF being gentle.

**Michael Stoops** · Oct 17, 2011, 02:31 PM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

We think that the biggest challenge you're having here is the efficiency and effectiveness of the buffer. With the low power and larger surface area of these orbitals you usually can not achieve the same level of correction as you an with a proper DA and foam pads. The bonnet choices also limit you quite a bit, and the material chosen when applying any product will have a definite impact on the results, hence the various foam densities available for use on a DA. With limited pressure and what may have been a short buffing cycle, you may have had some wipe off issues with UC because it hadn't been worked quite long enough. While it uses SMAT abrasives that don't really break down, if you don't work the product long enough it remains fairly heavy on the surface and that can make it harder to wipe off. Further, without the energy of a good DA working it, it doesn't really thin down as much as it can, also impeding wipe off. These orbitals just don't have the torque needed to overcome the downward pressure necessary to correct paint defects; apply even moderate pressure and they pretty much just give up. And to remove the etching from those bird droppings you're going to need some pressure on that tool.

We also agree with Murr that use of a cleaner wax after M07 makes application of that pure polish almost pointless as the cleaners will remove much of the polishing oils that are the reason for using M07 in the first place.

But really, if these are examples of the worst thing(s) you did, then for a first timer you're at least headed in the right direction, which is a big positive! All is not lost, even if you have to stick with this buffer. It's going to slow the process down quite a bit, and may only get you to 80-85% of the level you really want to achieve. We'd work the product a bit longer until it's very thin on the surface as that should make wipe off easier. If you're going to use M07 then we'd suggest switching to either a nice carnauba like Gold Class Carnauba Plus or a good synthetic like NXT 2.0 or Ultimate Wax.

**k3e3n0** · Oct 18, 2011, 07:06 PM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

Guys, thanks for the feedback. i appreciate the help.from the 5 step paint care article it looked like i could use a cleaner because it had that as an option but tis stuff is still a little confusing to me, it makes sense that it would clean off the oils from SCG.

My question is would you guys recommend doing the show car glaze over then following with a caranuba or synthetic? or should i clay and then do the whole process over again. Im not a fan of the UC, dont feel like it did much but then again, i didnt work it in enough, and didnt remove it by hand so maybe thats on me. if so, is this weekend too soon because i did this last weekend, and also just to be sure i should apply all by buffer and remove by hand or apply the final wax by hand and remove by hand.

and i meant UQW the spray, that was ok right. might be a little redundant but im just trying to make sure i do it right this time, dont care much about wasting more money or time, just want good results.

**Murr1525** · Oct 18, 2011, 07:24 PM

Re: Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

Guys, thanks for the feedback. i appreciate the help.from the 5 step paint care article it looked like i could use a cleaner because it had that as an option but tis stuff is still a little confusing to me, it makes sense that it would clean off the oils from SCG.

The cleaner/wax products are great, just have to use them in the right way. For instance, your detail basically looked like:

1. Wash
2. Clean
3. Polish
4. Clean
5. Polish
6. Wax
7. Wax

with 4-6 being the cleaner/wax.

So you can see you repeated yourself. You just want to prgoress through the 5-step process in order without back tracking, unless a good reason (maybe finding some marring, so going back to another cleaner) comes up.

My question is would you guys recommend doing the show car glaze over then following with a caranuba or synthetic? or should i clay and then do the whole process over again. Im not a fan of the UC, dont feel like it did much but then again, i didnt work it in enough, and didnt remove it by hand so maybe thats on me.

At this point, you may as well enjoy yourself some. Nothing was really wrong, just wash and UQW after for a few weeks, then detail when you feel like it.

if so, is this weekend too soon because i did this last weekend, and also just to be sure i should apply all by buffer and remove by hand or apply the final wax by hand and remove by hand.

Not too soon, but kind of removing all your work right away.

The removing by hand would likely be easier, but doesnt really affect the cleaning ability of the product. That would be the buffer, or how to work it in, etc. If anything, you may just want to focus on one panel, and see if another pass or two with the buffer and UC helps, or even a little by hand. If not, then no reason to keep trying on the whole car, you're just at what you can do with the current equipment. Can just look for the milder cleaner products to regular detailing in the future, until better able to tackle it.

and i meant UQW the spray, that was ok right. might be a little redundant but im just trying to make sure i do it right this time, dont care much about wasting more money or time, just want good results.

Yeah. As mentioned, a liquid or paste would be better as the second "main" coat. Then UQW for after future washes. But not wrong. 2 thin coats of wax is proper, so you got 2.

Announcement

Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

Waxed my car this past weekend, questions about problems i ran into.

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment