QD Frustration...

[Slick]

I have a Ruby Red 2013 Ford Edge. After the purchase, I did the 105/205 combo, and I use NXT 2.0 as the LSP. It's garaged at night, and never sees rain. Between washes, I go over it with a California Duster to remove most of the surface dust, then wipe it down with (Meguiar's) quick detailer. I'm always prudent in shaking the bottle before spraying each panel, yet I always seem to have a terrible problem with product hazing. My microfibers are washed in the machine (liquid detergent), then air-dried... and I go through a quart bottle of QD every month or so, so it's not like it's old product. Interestingly enough, the hazing seems to be worse on the painted metal vs. painted plastic body panels. I've tried varying the amount of product, varying the pressure, varying how much I work the QD, wiping off immediately, letting it haze and then trying to wipe off... I just can't seem to find a system that works. I've had the same issue with UQD as well. Seems like the only thing that's come close to working is going over the entire vehicle (AGAIN) with a damp microfiber, chasing it with a dry one. Humidity's not an issue in SoCal... and it's typically in the 80s or 90s when I wipe it down (in the shade). Trying to figure out a solution... suggestions???

[Murr1525]

Re: QD Frustration...

If you are spraying enough to QD to wait for it to haze, then it is probably a bit much.

I tend to get my cloth damp with the QD, and then just mist over a panel... one spray for a fender... maybe two for a door.... esp if you are already dusting first.

[Slick]

Re: QD Frustration...

it hazes almost instantly. That's why I do a panel (or less) at a time. If I don't wipe it off immediately, it's even harder to remove. I realize it doesn't help that it's hot & dry (<20% rel. humidity), but that can't be helped... similar problems when I wash... can't dry it off fast enough to keep from spotting... thus, the QD... Your point about using too much is well-taken though. I don't use any more or less on my other vehicles, yet this is the only one that creates a problem.

[The Guz]

Re: QD Frustration...

Sounds like the temperature is getting to you. Find some shade and give it a try that way. Also try the two towel method. One to apply and one to buff off any remaining QD.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: QD Frustration...

I don't use any more or less on my other vehicles, yet this is the only one that creates a problem.

That's a critical bit of information and we're glad you shared it. Yes, it is extremely frustrating when you have multiple vehicles and you treat them all exactly the same, but one of them just doesn't want to respond like the others. I experienced this a while back with the tires on our 4 vehicles, and only one car had a persistent issue that the other three did not exhibit, and all 4 were treated exactly the same way. That experience of mine plus yours here, and plenty of other similar discussions, just confirms that at times there are weird issues that arise......and quite frankly, we don't have a definitive explanation for why.

We did have someone a few years ago who had issues with quick detailers leaving a noticeable hazy film on his paint. The car was non metallic black so it showed everything, and this haze was very noticeable. You could actually run your fingers over the paint and leave a trail in the haze, but a few minutes later the finger trails were gone as if the haze and flowed back over the cleaned areas. Very, very strange indeed. And crazy frustrating because, like you, this problem did not present itself on his other cars. We went through the full selection of mist and wipe detailers we offer, and finally hit on M34 Final Inspection as the solution. No more haze, easy on and off. Why? Honestly, we have no clue!! But we found a solution and he was happy, which is really all that matters.

[Slick]

Re: QD Frustration...

always done in the shade... but yes, the high heat & low humidity probably do make it "flash" more quickly... and I always use the 2-towel method (fresh microfibers). I have the same problem when I wash it... I can't dry it fast enough to keep from water-spotting... which necessitates another round with the QD. Just when I think I've got it all, I pull into the garage... walk out a few hours later & see more hazing. (I'm beginning to hate fluorescent lighting in the garage... reveals too much!) Interesting that my Cobra never exhibits this trait, nor does my Super Duty (all red). But... seems logical that different paints react differently... guess I've proven that now. Mike's right... doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to it. Will start trying a few different products & see if I can zero in on the right combo! I've found the paint on the Edge to be super-hard, though not impervious. It was water-spotted (etched) when I bought it. Took 6-8 passes using 105 and wool pad (rotary) to achieve a moderate level of correction. Decided not to shoot for 100% correction til I check with a paint thickness gauge & see what I've got to work with. Assume it's probably one of the new water-based clears... might help explain the different response to QD. Is also a tinted clear. Scared me after the first few passes, when I looked at the pad & it had a red/pink tint to it. It's not the end of the world... and I like a challenge... will get it figured out!

[Scott's 62]

Re: QD Frustration...

I had a same problem years ago when I was prepping my uncles 68 Charger for a car show. the regular QD was acting weird and leaving streaks relay bad that didn't seem to come off. I ended up using M34 and and had no problems at all. I even used used it when I got there on a slightly worm panel it still came off great and look fantastic. some time's it happens to certain paints.

[The Guz]

Re: QD Frustration...

As Mike Stoops pointed out it, give M34 a try. I would definitely invest in the DAMF system and use that prior to using a rotary. Unless you are skilled with a rotary. M105 on a wool pad is an aggressive combo. The DAMF system is greaton hard paint. Even if you just invest in the cutting disks and D300.

For your wash issue, you may want to try and wash in sections. Another alternative is to invest in some D114 or D115 and go with a rinseless wash.

[Slick]

Re: QD Frustration...

As Mike Stoops pointed out it, give M34 a try. I would definitely invest in the DAMF system and use that prior to using a rotary. Unless you are skilled with a rotary. M105 on a wool pad is an aggressive combo. The DAMF system is greaton hard paint. Even if you just invest in the cutting disks and D300.

For your wash issue, you may want to try and wash in sections. Another alternative is to invest in some D114 or D115 and go with a rinseless wash.

I'm reasonably proficient with the rotary... (have taken the advanced detailing class) just don't use it often enough to have my technique down-pat... so the few times I DO use it, I end up occasionally slinging product all over the car... and the garage... but yea, I intend to pick up some microfiber pads for the next go-round. The Edge had been parked at the dealership's remote lot (over by the Burbank airport) for a month or two, so it got lots of nasty contaminants & condensation baked onto the finish... even the glass was etched. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it til AFTER all the paperwork was signed. (lesson learned... won't make THAT mistake again!)Thankfully, it's just a lease... so I don't have to live with it forever... a shame, as it's a gorgeous color... and yes, I have the paint issues documented.

I don't foresee washing in sections as a particularly time-efficient alternative. As it is, a typical wash job takes me about 2-2.5 hours... lots of nooks & crannies for this crappy hard water to pool & seep out of. Am looking into water filtration systems to reduce the incidence of spotting. Yes, I'm a tad obsessive... (or as Mike Phillips used to say... A/R... LOL) ...and now that the days are getting shorter, all my vehicle maintenance will get pushed to the weekend. :-(

[The Guz]

Re: QD Frustration...

I'm not saying it's a time efficient way. I meant it so you can avoid water spots by washing certain sections of the car. Washing in a shaded place is also helpful. Look up the Garry Dean method to do a rinseless wash. You will avoid water spots doing that as well as helping out with the drought conditions here in So Cal .