Thirsty paint

M

microcarcare

New member
I have a 1991 Ford Ranger that I recently purchased. It looks good, but I think that is mainly b/c of having clear coat paint on it. I want to get a good coat of protectant of some kind on it before winter really sets in. After all of my reading, I decided to clay it (mainly b/c I wanted to experiment before I clayed my "real" cars). That did a great job and I could really feel the difference. Then I went over it w/ Megs #9 and #26. The difference was amazing. The little truck shined like new. The paint felt smooth and slick and passed the "fingernail test".



Two days later I went out to admire my work again and the truck failed the fingernail test. It felt dried out and water would not bead on the surface any more (water had beaded when I finished working on it). I know wax won't last but for so long, but 2 days?!



Now here's my question. Did the paint "drink" it up? Should I have done something else or do I just need to put another (or several) more coats of wax on it? Thanks!
 
Hi,



verry welcome to this forum:xyxthumbs



Well, my best guess is that you didn't use a wax but a glaze.

The paint will not have drunk it, but the oils will have evaporated.

Was the weather rather warm & dry?



I personaly don't know Megiuars #9 and #26, can't help you there.





Greetings

Christiaan
 
#26 should do the trick... of course there are other, 'better', options. I'd simply wash with something like #00 Hi-Tech Wash, dry, and apply at least one more coat of #26. Remember, surface prep is at least 50% of the 'formula', and you seem to have that part done!



#26 typically lasts 3-6 weeks, in my own experience.



Good Luck!



Jim
 
Hello jcbrock, and welcome. :)



I'm not exactly sure what this "fingernail test" is and haven't heard of it before, but it is unusual for a wax job to die in 2 days.



Was the paint in good, glossy condition, or was it faded, dull looking, chalky or anything? Oxidized paint might have the problem you describe, but paint doesn't (ever) absorb any of the stuff we put on it as if it were skin or something....



Do you live in some area or country with an insane amount of environmental pollution?
 
Thanks 4DSC, my fingernail test is to rub my fingernails lightly across the paint to see if it feels rough or smooth. Have you ever rubbed across dull paint? It has a most disagreeable feel, whereas new wax feels slick and smooth. The paint looked good right after I washed it and my pads didn't show an undue amount of residue. I'll try another coat and see what happens.
 
:nixweiss



2 days!?! #26 used to last me 20-30X longer than that. how did the truck look? did it fail the fingernail test two days later after a wash, or was it dirty? sounds like something for the X-files.
 
The paintwork could well have been depleated of its natural oil / resins before you started to do the clean, if the previous owner of the vehicle had neglected the paintwork, especialy as you mentioned it was oxidised. iIf this is the case my friend then its a spray job.....

Just my thoughts :nono
 
jcbrock

Do you have any building sites near you or roadworks as it sounds like something is falling onto your paintwork.



Gemini

I am in Cumbria, it is cold and wet :( cannot keep the car clean



Steven
 
You are probably dealing with oxidation and lack of nutrient oils.



Try an oxidation remover like Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish, 3M Cleaner Wax Medium Oxidation Remover, or Meguiars Clear Coat Scrub. Then try #7 Show Car Glaze to add nourishing oils and then top with #26.



I would recommend 3M Adhesive, Tar and Sap remover before you try to remove the oxidation, just to make sure you remove it from a clean non-waxed surface.



A buffer really helps on polishing and removing oxidation.
 
I'm not mrdetailer, but as a guess, I'd say it was because the previous products he mentioned would do all the abrasive polishing you'd need, so using #9 would be a bit redundant and probably not as useful as going applying a glaze like #7.



This follows the typical 3 step process of clean/polish, glaze, wax.



Oh, by the way, since your truck is clearcoated, you may not see any residue on your applicator pads because if any paint came off, it'd be colourless.



This is probably a dumb question, so please don't be offended, but what do you use to wash the paint?
 
This is probably a dumb question, so please don't be offended, but what do you use to wash the paint?
Click to expand...



No offense at all, 4DSC, that is a logical question. I use Megs GC Wash. I'm getting a PC (or Dewalt) for Christmas, I'll try really working some polish on it then, maybe my arm got tired before I had done a good job preparing the surface..
 
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