First time polish with a PC, I can't get the product off after applying

S

Scott_M

New member
Hi everyone, I'm a long time lurker and a first time poster. I've mainly sat back and read through the forum to learn as much as I could before posting. I've read a lot about what a PC can do, so I thought I would give it a shot.



My car is an 07 Mustang GT Alloy Metallic clearcote. I do have some minor swirls in the paint from careless washing (drying with an old regular towel when I first got it).



My process was this...



1. Wash car with Dawn (I know, I know, it's the only time I've ever used it) to remove any previous wax. Used 2 buckets and dried with WW MF towels.

2. PB SSR2 with an orange LC pad, spread it on at 1-2, then bumped up to 5 to work it in. I worked it in for about 2-3 minutes per 2ft. section, and then buffed off with a clean Cobra MF. I didn't get that much dusting, but did get some.

3. PB PwC Blue with a white LC pad, same as above, but worked it in at 4 or so.

4. PB Natty's Paste Wax Blue with a blue LC pad, again, same as above, but didn't spend as long working it in.

5. Cleaned off what dust was on the car with a clean MF and a brand new bottle I just bought of Meguire's QD.



Is that a decent line up? I know I don't have a sealant or a glaze, I'm not sure which one to use yet.



I couldn't pull the car out of the garage to check for any swirls or anything until today (lighting wasn't the best in the garage and it was late). I backed it out today and noticed that there were what looked like smear marks in the paint all over the car. First thing I did was grab my wax again and apply a little by hand to the front fender. I let it sit for just a little bit and then buffed off. The smearing was gone. I went and grabbed another microfiber and the same QD I used before and sprayed some again on the passenger side rear quarter panel. I noticed that the marks would move depending on the direction I was wiping and it seemed to have gotten worse, I think.



From what I can tell, it seems like the QD isn't coming off all of the way and smearing, or the wax I put on by PC didn't get worked all of the way in and when I reapplyed a little by hand, it got it off. Does that make any sense?



I didn't necessarily want to reapply the wax by hand if it wasn't the wax that was the problem.



Anybody have any ideas to help a new person out? Here's a few pics to show you what I'm talking about...



157108.jpg




157109.jpg




157110.jpg




Thanks for any advice!

Scott
 
you used too much NB, it has a good amount of oils in it

and that is what you are seeing



try to wax by hand next time
 
Scott_M- Welcome to Autopia!



This must be frustrating...I don't use the products you mentioned so I'm kinda guessing here, but I agree with tdekany.



If I had to take a wild guess I'd say that something went wrong with steps 3 and 4, my guess is that the smearing is excess wax (either the "C" from the PwC or, more likely, the NB).



Sometimes time will help- the excess wax dries and can then be buffed off without just smearing. Otherwise, yeah, wash it and see how things are then.



And regarding the "sealant or a glaze", IMO it's too easy to get caught up in the multiple-product approach, especially after you spend some time reading stuff here ;) IMO you probably don't need either one and it'd just further complicate your situation...and when things go wrong complication is *NOT* what you want ;)



Next time, I'd try to examine the car after the PwC step. But if you wash carefully you shouldn't have to do anything except just refresh the NB for a good long time, so get this smearing issue cleared up and try using less NB the next time you wax it (and maybe let it set up longer before you buff it off).
 
Ahh, that makes sense.



I did just get back in from washing it again to see if that would remove it. It removed some of it, but not all.



I'll be a little more careful next time. When I was rubbing it on the pad, I thought several times that it seemed like to much but went ahead anyway. Quick question though, is there a different wax I should top it with, something with less oil?



Thanks again.
 
Accumulator said:
Scott_M- Welcome to Autopia!



This must be frustrating...I don't use the products you mentioned so I'm kinda guessing here, but I agree with tdekany.



If I had to take a wild guess I'd say that something went wrong with steps 3 and 4, my guess is that the smearing is excess wax (either the "C" from the PwC or, more likely, the NB).



Sometimes time will help- the excess wax dries and can then be buffed off without just smearing. Otherwise, yeah, wash it and see how things are then.



And regarding the "sealant or a glaze", IMO it's too easy to get caught up in the multiple-product approach, especially after you spend some time reading stuff here ;) IMO you probably don't need either one and it'd just further complicate your situation...and when things go wrong complication is *NOT* what you want ;)



Next time, I'd try to examine the car after the PwC step. But if you wash carefully you shouldn't have to do anything except just refresh the NB for a good long time, so get this smearing issue cleared up and try using less NB the next time you wax it (and maybe let it set up longer before you buff it off).
Click to expand...



Thank you for the tips. I know what you mean, I see pictures and things and think oooh, I need that! I just wasn't quite sure if I was missing out on anything, know what I mean? I'll work with what I have first. I like this product, I mean, I've never had an issue putting it on by hand, so it has to be my technique, plus, I think it looks great.



Practice makes perfect!
 
BigJimZ28 said:
I think you should try NB a few more times before you give up on it
Click to expand...



I'm by all means not giving up on it, I just wasn't sure if there was something that worked better with the PC, or if it was just my technique, I know now it's my technique.



I've used it several times by hand before I had the PC and loved it. It goes on extremely easy (compared to other things I've used) and buffs off with minimal dust.
 
I wouldnt use a glaze. I think you're PwC will kind of act like a glaze in that lineup. I think technique has been covered by everyone else who posted before me....BTW, COOL CAR! Great color!
 
Way2SSlow said:
I wouldnt use a glaze. I think you're PwC will kind of act like a glaze in that lineup. I think technique has been covered by everyone else who posted before me....BTW, COOL CAR! Great color!
Click to expand...



Thanks, 'preciate it! :xyxthumbs



One thing I noticed was when I went out to wash it just a little bit ago, I've never seen water bead like that. It was actually kind of funny, I use just running water, no nozzle, and the water would frantically look for somewhere to go then bead up in to a big water blob and run off. I know I looked like an idiot out there running water over the roof and then just sitting there and watching it run off!
 
Scott_M said:
I've used it several times by hand before I had the PC and loved it. It goes on extremely easy (compared to other things I've used) and buffs off with minimal dust.
Click to expand...





OK so what are you hopping to gain by applying it by PC?
 
BigJimZ28 said:
OK so what are you hopping to gain by applying it by PC?
Click to expand...



I didn't buy the PC to apply just that perticular wax. I bought it to apply all of the different products I have. I also assumed that the results might be slightly better applying the wax by PC, but from your tone I assume not, is that true?
 
for a product like a compound or polish that needs to be worked the PC will give you way better results then you could ever get by hand



for a product like a wax that does not need to be worked just applied I find it easier to just

wax by hand



some people find it easier to apply a thin coat by pc

but I enjoy hand waxing



sorry about my tone but it sounded like you were happy with how it worked

by hand and I don't think there is much to gain by using the PC to wax



but you have to do what works for you
 
BigJimZ28 said:
for a product like a compound or polish that needs to be worked the PC will give you way better results then you could ever get by hand



for a product like a wax that does not need to be worked just applied I find it easier to just

wax by hand



some people find it easier to apply a thin coat by pc

but I enjoy hand waxing



sorry about my tone but it sounded like you were happy with how it worked

by hand and I don't think there is much to gain by using the PC to wax



but you have to do what works for you
Click to expand...



That makes sense. I didn't mean anything negative by the tone comment, I was just wanting to make sure I understood what you meant. :xyxthumbs



You make a great point though, I guess I didn't realize the wax didn't need to be worked like the polish, I have a lot to learn. I think I'll stick with putting the wax on by hand for now until I become more experienced with the PC.



Thanks again for your help though!
 
Scott_M said:
I didn't buy the PC to apply just that perticular wax. I bought it to apply all of the different products I have. I also assumed that the results might be slightly better applying the wax by PC, but from your tone I assume not, is that true?
Click to expand...



It's really up to what you feel like doing. Most times there is not right or wrong for LSPs.



I normally apply UPP by PC and then OCW by "hand" since it's a spray-on wax.
 
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