Ultimate Quik Wax specific area problem

[Skuz]

I have a red car which' hood and trunk don't have clearcoat. Not because it failed, it was just made this way for some reason.

My detailing habits and products mostly haven't changed for years and I have had great results using mostly Meguiar's products. A bit over a year ago I started using the Ultimate Quik Detailer which I reallly like, then Ultimate Quik Wax with which I had excellent results on my black daily driver.

However, on the 27 years old non clearcoated hood, it leaves a trace everywhere the towel stops. Some kind of smear that is very difficult to wipe off. Unfortunately, my camera is unable to capture the effect.

LSP used was NXT 2 since the new Ultimate Wax wasn't yet available here in early Spring. The only thing I added between M80 and NXT 2.0 was M7, it was the first time I used it. Eveything looked excellent until I used UQW.

Am I doing something wrong ? Is there an incompatibility somewhere ? Is it something to do with the lack of clearcoat ? M7 ?

I thought maybe I used too much UQW, but I use UQW the same way I do on my black daily driver, if I did something wrong then, the black color should have thrown it in my face.

[BillyJack]

Re: Ultimate Quik Wax specific area problem

Skuz,
Owning a burgundy '87 El Camino with original SS paint, I can sympathize with your problem. Over the years, I've tried dozens of LSP's, looking for something that gave a good gloss, lasted a while and, most importantly, didn't streak. For years, the only product that passed the test was NXT paste. Last year I found this article by Mike Phillips and really had an awakening on how to treat my paint: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ge-paints.html

For over 15 years I had been using M03 as an initial polish, followed with a light wipe of M07, then an LSP. Thanks to Mike's article, I'm now doing a yearly refresh of my paint, using multiple applications of M07 with quite a bit of pressure and allowing the first passes a long soak time before removal. I use a MF cloth for application, folding it into a 4"X8" pad. This enables me to put down a thin coat without the "caking" that usually happens with M07, and it's easily removed, even after setting overnight. Not only has my gloss been enhanced greatly, but now I have a bit more flexibility in my choice of LSP.
Testing numerous LSP's, I have found something else that may be worth mentioning. I've applied LSP products over M07 and have had some nasty streaking. If that happened, I learned to stop, walk away, and let the stuff cure overnight. Often, I'd be pleasantly surprised to find the streaks mostly gone by the next day. After a wipe with a QD I was streak-free.
Some LSP's however, just won't work, and UQW may be one of them. I haven't tried any of the Ultimate wax line yet, but I've read many posts about streaking, here and at AutoGeek's forum. When I run out of NXT, I'll likely opt for the Ultimate paste, since it seems to be less prone to streaking than the liquid.
Sometimes I wish I had the cash to just turn my Camino over to a painter and have the latest technology in durability, gloss and ease of care. However, you only have one shot at keeping it original, so as long as I can keep it presentable, original it will stay.

Bill

[wifpd4]

Re: Ultimate Quik Wax specific area problem

I hope you both continue your discussion. Skuz, I'm interested in your situation with UQW. I've yet to say I've really worked on a single stage, but I'm still interested in what's going on with UQW and your car.

Bill, I'm interested in your experience with Ultimate Paste Wax. I use the liquid, but haven't on single stage yet. I've seen and understand what folks say about the streaking, but find it to be a non-problem. At least on clear coat and mainly black cars, the streaks were few and disappeared on their own.

Look forward to updates.

Oh and Bill, thanks for the Phillips article. Good preparation in case I run into a single stage.

[Skuz]

Re: Ultimate Quik Wax specific area problem

I have been out of the detailing forums for about a year and a half, I forgot that it was called single stage paint.

There was no problem with just NXT2, the hood looked perfect. It's just when UQW was added after a wash a week later that the problem started. Until I find out what I do wrong, I will only use UQD on this car after a wash. I may have to redo the hood to have these traces disappear. Have to wait until I'm on vacation in August though...