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

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).

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

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

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

[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

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