it seems every time i wax my car, i bust my butt only to find that at certain angles in the sunlight, the finished results all splotchy and crappy looking.
ive tried different kinds of wax (adams, meguires, armor all wax)  but it always ends up the same.
i seem to be putting it on with even coverage but it looks like i missed spots and its streaked, etc.

anyone have this problem and overcome it?
have i lived to be 45 years old and not know how to wax a car?
ill try anything at this point.

thanks
jeff

Hmel '742010-09-05 13:24:10

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That happens sometimes. I've found that going over the car after would with a spray detailer will clear it up pretty well. Look at it as good exercise (wax on........wax off).

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

Ive also had that problem but blamed it on myself from not applying evenly.  I have found that using meguirs gold class PASTE instead of the liquid stuff kind of "forces" me to apply more evenly and it lasts well.  On my vette I use Turtle Wax ICE... nope, it don't last long but on black it leaves no residue to stick in the panel gaps

That's common with many waxes...expensive and cheap waxes.  It's caused by two things...applying too much wax and/or doing so in high temperatures or humidity.  Putting wax on too thick in high heat or humidity results in the surface drying out before what's under it.  When you try and wipe it off it smears.  Spritzing some quick detailer and wiping it clears it up.

I know some people don't like them but I have been using a orbital buffer for  3 years now, and it does a great job and not much effort... mind you really have to pay attention to the pads and holding it. Doesn't take much pressure but does take longer. I do it a few times a year, and have never had a problem... The final buffing i put down a soft cloth and then the buffer, sounds crazy maybe but I have pics of my 7 year old paint .


2 cruzn2011-04-06 20:12:09

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Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II

Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



(click to see a bigger image)

A quality random orbital does a great job and much easier than doing it all by hand.  The secret is...get a random orbital that's good quality or continue to do it by hand.  The low quality "polishers" you buy in Wal Mart, Pep Boys and similar stores simply don't have the power to do it correctly and don't last.

I like the PortaCable but not cheap

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Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II

Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



(click to see a bigger image)

Jeff have you used a paint cleaner yet..like a clay bar?? Sometimes the crap on the paint can make things uneven looking..reflect different..I use that random orbit cheapo from Sears..had it close to 10 years..I use a scratch remover with a foam pad on that thing and the paint comes out soft and no clinging..use a tissue and run it over the paint and you should be able to feel the dirt grab it if it is dirty..I got the Mcguires stuff from Carlisle that I told you about last year..anyhow..when we meeting up this summer??

Rich

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My first parade at Carlisle 2010

[QUOTE=yostusota] I got the Mcguires stuff from Carlisle that I told you about last year..anyhow..when we meeting up this summer??

Rich[/QUOTE]

If you dont mind me askin' ....What was that Rich

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Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II

Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



(click to see a bigger image)

Oh crud..I am at work but I think it was a swirl or scratch remover..its a very mild stuff..I got the old single stage lacker paint..real thin..can almost see thru the paint on the fender..so I had one of the Mcguirres guys look at it and said it would work..and it did..I told him about the pos polisher I had..he didn't want me to use his since the power it had could work thru the paint real quick..I will fetch it when I get home so you can look it up..I know a bunch of people are into the other products..but this is all I want..it can't look to good.

Richyostusota2011-04-06 09:51:10

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My first parade at Carlisle 2010

Hey Jeff -- You have to stop polishing it in the sun !

Jeff,

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   "I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry"

I've had to change the way I keep my car clean.  Now I have the garage I can blow off the dust after a drive and rinse and get my baby inside quickly.  Every thing is dusty here in Tucson.  I wash and hand dry then use the Meguires spray on detailer.  I wait a day; rinse and towel dry.  It picks up dust if I don't do the wait a day, rinse and towel dry.  Very smooth and the dust blows off very easily.  Black car + dirt road = lots of work.

Keith


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Nobody ever waves when I'm driving the Explorer.
K Woody

Heh Jeff! out of hibernating....as Bruce (Gunslinger) DaveM and others have said a spray detailer will really help. I thought you used some in Carlisle last summer?

We have been down the favorite wax / polish thread before.....and in the end its what you feel works best for you. I'm still stuck on the stuff that "Tux" recomended I try 2 years ago Zaino it goes on like baby oil very thin and very fast but you do not put in on circular. And after Sal Zaino showed up at Lukes BBQ I was sold on the Bada Boom Bada Bing guy

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Line Dancing huh Ebo..... LOL...


Wax on in a straight line..... Wax off in a straight line....

Never seen a swirl mark left behind yet.

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Tuxblacray: She's Back In Black! Check out my pics @ My Link


(Click on image to see a bigger version)

Yep you know it Tux

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Click on image for larger view!
LIFETIME MEMBER 151

*note to Ebo......

You might want to put yer sponge on a rope round yer neck....... this stuff is s-l-i-c-k...

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Tuxblacray: She's Back In Black! Check out my pics @ My Link


(Click on image to see a bigger version)

[QUOTE=ebo] And after Sal Zaino showed up at Lukes BBQ I was sold on the Bada Boom Bada Bing guy [/QUOTE]