after the wax question

kitcar

kitcar

Man, that's shiny!
Something has been bothering me for some time, like 20 years. I've always used Meguiar's wax; cleaner wax, #6 & #9, etc.. Been using Meg's since 1976. What I've always noticed both with Meg's and and other brands is that there's always an oil redidue left after the buffing. It really used to bug me at car shows.

A couple of weeks ago (must be my age or something) I tried something new and want some input about this. I take very, very softened water (we've got real hard water and I have the conditioner set real high -- teenagers in the house) and wipe the vehicle surface with an open cell sponge and dry with a cotton terrycloth towl. This is only after letting the vehicle sit for a few hours. Man, does this cure any swirls for weeks!

I can't think of a reason why this would hurt a clear coat surface. Am I wrong? I've also noticed since I started doing this that the beading effect of the wax lasts longer. Remember, I drive around 300 miles a day through the most horrific crap you've ever seen between Toledo and Flint, to Detroit to Port Huron.
 
Yeah some waxes recommend this i think.

Supposingly it helps "set" the wax...

i've never tried it though. maybe now i will.
 
It sounds similar to the 'spit shine' method that some (including me) use. It does make a difference in the final appearance, getting rid of the "excess" oils.
 
I remember my father taking doing that many years ago with cold water.
He used to tell me it helped harden the wax faster, I just don't know if there is any truth to it.
 
Well, I've been doing it for a couple of weeks. And I did notice yesterday when I washed it that the "beading" effect was very pronounced even after the wash. The hand wash I go to uses the same city water that we have at home but not softened. I use the foaming brush very lightly on the car after spraying it out first. This usually really strips the wax right off the car. There was almost no hand drying needed, which I guess is a bonus.

I don't know about "setting" the wax; but it does seem to work. Like I said, it seems to work better with very soft WARM water as opposed to plain old city or hard water.

Time to break out the old chemistry textbook to figure this one out.
Might have to do with the ionization of the water. Once the cations and anions are equal, I suppose that the ion charge of the paint surface could be affected by the wiping process.
 
Ive always been under the impression that the surplus oils were there for a reason. To protect and revitalize valuable surface oils. This si where your protection is. Why would you want to remove those prematurely ? I let them set until the next wash or layer.
 
Just a few comments.
If I have still have product on the paint after removal, oils or other, it usually meant I used too much of the product when I applied it. This has been true of every wax/sealant/polish that I have ever used. It also applies to car shampoo. Too high of a concentration and it is harder to rinse cleanly.
More is not better. All you need is enough to do the job.

Charles
 
CharlesW said:
Just a few comments.
If I have still have product on the paint after removal, oils or other, it usually meant I used too much of the product when I applied it. This has been true of every wax/sealant/polish that I have ever used. It also applies to car shampoo. Too high of a concentration and it is harder to rinse cleanly.
More is not better. All you need is enough to do the job.

Charles
Click to expand...

Very true, finding the "right amount" can be subjective. And for me, more is better, I would feel more comfortable knowing theres substantial protection, and allow complete penetration until my next wash, and at that time, IMO, the surface will even out. This may be difficult on client cars, but with proper explanation, and maybe a follow up, additional dust accumulations can be
expected, and/or remedied. I would find it easier to accept their check knowing if anything, I applied too much LSP.
Just my $.02, not trying to start a war.....
 
I used to get that oilyness after using Meguiar's a lot. It drove me nuts and it seemed trying to get it off only smeared it around more. It was a long time ago though and I was probably using too much product.
 
Why not try another product if it bugs you so much. I mean, not all waxes do that. There are many fine products out there that work as well and BETTER that do not do this.
 
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