Dirty applicator, paint coming off?

Jo Donny

New member
Hello all,

The other day I decided to give my black '98 Altima a wax. When I applied it my applicator started to turn black very quickly. Me and my friend have been doing a detailing business and this hasn't happened on any of the cars we have been doing so far. I used Black Magic's liquid synthetic wax (I'm pretty sure its a cleaner wax), with a Meg's microfiber gold class applicator. This was happening to me before with other foam applicators a number of months ago with different waxes.

This has started to worry me, and I was wondering if anyone could inform me on what is happening, and what I could do that would help

Also, the car was clayed and the paint is smooth.

If other information is needed, just ask.

Here are some pictures of the applicators:



http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/4996/applicator1ts3.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1370/applicator2ip1.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8927/applicator3nk9.jpg





Any help would be much appreciated

-Jordan



Also, what would be the best way to clean the applicator?
 
Either dirty paint or SS paint. No offense to you, but if you are running a "detailing business" and don't know what something simple like an applicator turning dirty or getting paint transfer is, I would seriously question whether you should be "detailing" at all
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
Either dirty paint or SS paint. No offense to you, but if you are running a "detailing business" and don't know what something simple like an applicator turning dirty or getting paint transfer is, I would seriously question whether you should be "detailing" at all



I'm going to say the same thing SS stage paint some cars are still shot with this.



However this could be something that is on top of the paint try clay and see how that works
 
Some pure black cars are still SS. It looks to me like that is oxidized paint from SS paint. If it is clear, the paint would have to be very neglected.
 
I clayed the car a few of times this year and before the wax. I also thoroughly washed it. I do not believe it's a dirty car.



Thanks for the advice so far, but I have a few more questions



How can you tell if its single stage and how should I take care of it?

I ordered the red Klasse and Sonus Paintwork Cleanser, would these be fine for single stage paint?



Out of all the things I have read on detailing I havn't heard of this happening before, and I didn't think it would be happening to a car that's only a '98.



Any articles or info that could help me with this would be awesome.
 
have you polished the car before?

what did the pad look like?



if it is ss paint there will be paint on the pad every time you polish, this is normal!





I could be way off track her but,

that looks like dirt on the pad
 
I've done the Meg's three step before.



I guess I'm just going to have to read up on whether my car has SS paint or not, and claybar my car for the 3rd time.



The thing is is that my paint seems to be very smooth and clean. I'll try and post an update when I get my Sonus Block, Paintwork Cleanser, and Klasse Red and we'll see if i get the same results.
 
I agree with BigJim--that looks like dirt. Jo Donny, you said you've used the Meg's "three step" which I interpret as the Deep Crystal System. I'm guessing you applied by hand, am I correct? I think that is just embedded dirt that was not removed by your hand polishing. Perhaps you and your friend ought to invest in a PC for your "detailing business", if you check that other thread they are probably down to $7.99 now! ;)
 
Jo Donny said:
I've done the Meg's three step before.



I guess I'm just going to have to read up on whether my car has SS paint or not,





well........ if the pads turned black the first time it is ss paint

if not something else is happening



good luck and let us know what you find out
 
What did the clay look like after the claying process. Pads look dirty to me instead of paint transfer. Why Black Magic? That stuff is pure garbage.
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
Either dirty paint or SS paint. No offense to you, but if you are running a "detailing business" and don't know what something simple like an applicator turning dirty or getting paint transfer is, I would seriously question whether you should be "detailing" at all



Were you born with an innate detailing ability? Everyone has to start somewhere there's no need to be a wise guy.
 
ConglomrationAL said:
Were you born with an innate detailing ability? Everyone has to start somewhere there's no need to be a wise guy.





I agree with bigpoppa, if he cant tell what that is then he really shouldnt be detailing other peoples cars for money.





That is definately just dirt.

It dont matter what the clay looks like becuase it only removes the *surface* contaminants not the *bellow* surface contaminents.
 
Coupe said:
I agree with bigpoppa, if he cant tell what that is then he really shouldnt be detailing other peoples cars for money.





That is definately just dirt.

It dont matter what the clay looks like becuase it only removes the *surface* contaminants not the *bellow* surface contaminents.



These guys sound like wash / wax specials not detailers in the since of the word. I find that people use the word detail alittle to easy, not understanding what is really intailed in the process
 
beemerboy1 said:
These guys sound like wash / wax specials not detailers in the since of the word. I find that people use the word detail alittle to easy, not understanding what is really intailed in the process





Thats why i dont like being called a *detailer*, i preffer *paint correction and restoration specialist* :cooleek:
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I agree with BigJim--that looks like dirt. Jo Donny, you said you've used the Meg's "three step" which I interpret as the Deep Crystal System. I'm guessing you applied by hand, am I correct? I think that is just embedded dirt that was not removed by your hand polishing. Perhaps you and your friend ought to invest in a PC for your "detailing business", if you check that other thread they are probably down to $7.99 now! ;)



Yes I applied by hand and it is the Deep Crystal System.

PC's are down to $7.99 now??? Where at?

If I get the PC would you suggest compounding to remove the embedded dirt, or something like an sfx-2?



Thanks for your help.
 
panger said:
What did the clay look like after the claying process. Pads look dirty to me instead of paint transfer. Why Black Magic? That stuff is pure garbage.



After the most recent time I clayed, the claybar was pretty clean because I clayed it around 1 month earlier.



I've found that the Black Magic tire gel and car wash have produced good results and they're relatively cheap. The liquid wax I used by Black Magic was the #1 choice in Consumer reports out of 30 or more waxes, so I thought I would give it a shot (Don't hate, i'm jumping on the red Klasse bandwagon). So far I've really liked the shine the Black Magic wax has given my car. I know by far not the best stuff in the world, but its good for the price.
 
beemerboy1 said:
These guys sound like wash / wax specials not detailers in the since of the word. I find that people use the word detail alittle to easy, not understanding what is really intailed in the process



Yeah we are more of a wash/wax specialists currently, but we would like to get more into higher end stuff like restoration eventually. Like my friend said earlier, we have to start somewhere.

We realize we're not as much of "detailers" as many of you, but that's why we came here, to get better.



Again thanks for your help so far, sorry for the bit of post whoring.
 
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