hazy residue after nxt tech wax

[MohsinBeg]

I cannot seem to get rid of hazy marks on my black 03 SL500 after I apply the wax by hand using a microfiber applicator and cleaning up using microfiber towels and buffing cloths.

Even after 1 week the hazy marks remain and became more prominent because of the recent hot weather recently. I have washed and reapplied the wax, only to be frustated again by the next morning and even more after 1 or 2 days.

If I try to remove the hazy marks by pressing the buffing cloth very hard, I start leaving scratches. What am I doing wrong ? Please, please help !

[Mike Phillips]

Hi MohsinBeg

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!


What was on the car before you applied Tech Wax? As in what kind of wax or paint sealant we're you using before switching to NXT Tech Wax?

How would you describe the condition of the paint before applying the Tech Wax?

Flawless? Like New? Very Good? Good? Neglected?

What kind of prep-work did you do to the paint before applying the Tech Wax?

[MohsinBeg]

Mike, it was flawless, not a single swirl mark on the car, because 1 mth before I got professional detailing done at the dealership.

I wash the car by hand only and did so meticulously before applying the wax. The waxing was done late in the evening, out of direct sunlight.

I look forward to your help.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by MohsinBeg
Mike, it was flawless, not a single swirl mark on the car, because 1 mth before I got professional detailing done at the dealership.

There are more horror stories about details done at dealerships than there are glowing testimonies...

In most cases, dealerships don't elevate the importance of creating swirl free finishes to the same level that owners do. The problem you have described really isn't about swirls, but as you described it, a hazy residue. Two very different things.


Just out of curiosity, where are you located in California?

[MohsinBeg]

You're right, nothing in common.

The hazing is causing me a lot of grief, since the car looks bad and repeated wash and re-waxing is not helping.

Please advise.

And I am near san francisco.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: hazy residue after NXT tech wax

Originally posted by MohsinBeg
I cannot seem to get rid of hazy marks on my black 03 SL500 after I apply the wax by hand using a microfiber applicator and cleaning up using microfiber towels and buffing cloths.

How long did you let the wax dry?

Even after 1 week the hazy marks remain and became more prominent because of the recent hot weather recently. I have washed and reapplied the wax, only to be frustrated again by the next morning and even more after 1 or 2 days.

Well lets start in the beginning, what exactly do you mean by the word hazy?

Cloudy or dull in appearance?

or

Swirls and scratches in the paint?

If I try to remove the hazy marks by pressing the buffing cloth very hard, I start leaving scratches. What am I doing wrong ? Please, please help !

Clear coats are typically much harder than older, traditional single stage paints like you would find on a 1967 Mustang. Even though they are typically harder, they still scratch very easily, something most people don't understand. The term we use to describe this characteristic is scratch-sensitive.

When applying and removing waxes to clear coats, you want to use a gentle touch, not an aggressive touch. This includes both application and removal.

The exception would be for neglected clear coat finishes that have become stained, dirty, oxidized and filled with swirls and scratches. At this point you would need to become more aggressive with them either by hand or machine as in order to fix the problems, you will have to remove some paint.

[MohsinBeg]

I waited about 1/2 hr after applying it. It's been 2 weeks since I did it and 1 week since I tried to buff out the haziness again.

It's cloudy (not scratchy or swirly) and since I applied the wax horizontally along the length of the car and it's more prominent at the points where I started and stopped (with the applicator). In fact I can see/trace the applicators paths I took in applying the wax.

And thanks for your prompt replies !

[Mike Phillips]

Sounds like you need some help with your technique. We have a detailing class here on Saturdays that puts a lot of emphasis on education, (head knowledge), and practical technique, (what to do with your hands), we've had numerous people drive down from the San Francisco area as well as places like Nevada and Utah.

Would you consider attending this weekends class? I would be more than willing to take some extra time to help you with your car's finish.

Here's a link to the schedule of events taking place this Saturday...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/calendar.php?s=&action=getinfo&eventid=103

If you want or desire to take ownership of maintaining your car's exterior, our classes are a great investment of our time. The reason I ask this is because it would be faster and easri to show you how to fix this problem, and prevent it in the future in person than with a keyboard.

[05PhillyStang]

Hey MohsinBeg - You need to be sure the paint is prepped before applying wax to your finish. At the very least, a paint cleaner is needed. Clay is also an option. Then you may want to polish to add gloss. The wax will protect all the mentioned steps.

You also mention that you notice more hazing at the start/stop points. You may be applying the wax too thick. Be sure to use a very light, even coat. Apply two coats to ensure uniformity.

Man, I wish I was able to attend one of the classes in California. You should definitely take advantage of Mike's suggestion

[rusty bumper]

The only other thing that I could think of (besides appilcation technique) would be that NXT might be reacting with a product that the dealer applied...........But this is just speculation on my part.

A trip to Irvine would be a good idea if you can make it.

[Larry A]

Are you putting too much wax ? I use NXT drops at a time and rub it in well and let dry to a fine haze. I only ask this question because I have a friend who cant get it in his head that less is more.

[Chris Nemlich]

I have had a similiar problem once or twice when using NXT on a dark colored car. I apply the NXT using a PC and can sometimes see the edges of where I have applied it. I have found the best solution to this is to use an Ultimate Bonnet on a W-7006 Foam Cutting Pad and the "haziness" comes right off.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[Mike Phillips]

Re: hazy residue after NXT tech wax

Originally posted by MohsinBeg
I cannot seem to get rid of hazy marks on my black 03 SL500 after I apply the wax by hand using a microfiber applicator and cleaning up using microfiber towels and buffing cloths.

Here's a quick test...

First insure the car is clean, as in just washed or wiped down with a quick detailer. The car should be in the shade and cool to the touch.

Next, instead of trying to fix the entire car, just pick a small area on either the hood, or the deck lid, about the size of a microfiber polishing clothed laid out flat. Like the size of the white Ultimate Wipe on the hood of our Pilot.



If possible, obtain a soft foam wax applicator pad, like the one that comes with NXT Tech Wax. Make sure it's clean. You might want to go to your local parts store and purchase some new ones for this test as it's important to rule out all variables. This is what you want to use...

High-Tech Applicator Pad

Now, shake your bottle of NXT Tech wax before using, and then to this one section apply a thin coating of the wax. Apply using gentle circle motion laying down a thin, even coating.

Allow this to dry until the wax swipes clear.

How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove - The Swipe Test

After the wax swipes clear, remove the wax using your best, softest plushest microfiber polishing cloth.

Now, apply a second coat to this same area the exact same way. Apply a thin, even coating using the same applicator pad, turn it over and inspect the face of the foam to insure that it is still clean and free from any contaminants before applying the wax.

Do your very best to apply and lay down a very thin, even coating of wax. Again, allow the wax to dry until it swipes clear. Once it is ready to remove, again wipe this thin coating of wax off using a clean, soft plush microfiber polishing cloth.

Now inspect.

The finish should look clear, deep, reflective and glossy.

If you can make this one area look good, you can make the entire car look good, it's just a matter of applying a thin coating, working it in well, allowing it to fully dry, and using a quality polishing cloth to remove it.


NXT Tech Wax is a fairly easy product to use. Most people get into trouble apply any wax by one of the below factors...

• 1. Not prepping the finish for the wax
  2. Applying too thick of a coating of wax - (more is not better)
  3. Using poor technique
  4. Not allowing the wax to fully dry before removing
  5. Using poor quality applicators and removal cloths

[proserve]

Re: hazy residue after nxt tech wax

Originally posted by MohsinBeg
I cannot seem to get rid of hazy marks on my black 03 SL500 after I apply the wax by hand using a microfiber applicator and cleaning up using microfiber towels and buffing cloths.

Even after 1 week the hazy marks remain and became more prominent because of the recent hot weather recently. I have washed and reapplied the wax, only to be frustated again by the next morning and even more after 1 or 2 days.

If I try to remove the hazy marks by pressing the buffing cloth very hard, I start leaving scratches. What am I doing wrong ? Please, please help !

I know exactly what your talking about I detail cars and I notice when I use the nxt on dark colored cars after you wipe of the wax it leaves a haze in the paint especially black. By haze I mean you can see where the wax was applied it's like the paint is two shades of black like the paint absorbed the wax. But on red or light colored cars it makes the car look amazing. I usually use zaino for all my details but some customers will not keep it up so I use nxt on their cars and thats when I noticed the haze on the dark colored cars.

P.S. One thing I noticed that helps alot is to very frequently use a clean towel to remove the nxt especially if you have applied more than a thin coat. You cannot use a few 1-3 towels to remove from your car I use about 10-12 microfiber towels, I think maybe the fiber holds more product and just smears it back on the paint my 2 cents.

Also i think that the paint needs to be cleaned (paint cleaner) and polished to lock in shine before you apply the wax on dark colors.

[the other pc]

I'm guessing that either the previous detail left something on the paint that interacted with the process of applying the NXT or, more likely, the previous detail didn't remove oxidation from the surface and only covered it up with a polish. Using a cleaner like ScratchX should fix the "hazing" and the scratches you installed while trying to remove the residue as well as remove any residual oxidation that the last detail missed. Follow it up with a reapplication of NXT.

If the finish is pristine and you apply NXT really, really thin there shouldn't be any streaking or unevenness and it will wipe off very easily with minimal residue. The last time I NXTed a Black car I was able to remove it from the whole car with a single Ultimate Bonnet.


PC.