What causes streaking?

J

joburnet

New member
And what is actually happening when wax streaks? It looks like the wax is going on in different thickness's, or rather coming off in different thickness's. I have a black mazda with single stage paint and I tend to get streaking on it reguardless of what wax I use, #26, S100, Gold Class. I did a search and found a lot of people with problems but no explinations as to what is happening.
 
funny enough I have the same problem on my single stage red paint on my Miata. Also regardless of what I use.....???? Strange:nixweiss
 
As I understand it....it has to do with some of the wax drying at different speeds. Since using Zaino, I have not had that problem, but with other products, I simply re-buff the car with a cool, damp towel to get rid of the streaks.
 
I'm not familiar with Miata's single stage paints, but my black bimmer streaks when the paint is hot or the humidity is high. Try leaving your car in the garage or shade for a couple of hours before waxing.
 
i just miss the hood with distilled water, and wipe... usually that works... also it could be if the hood was not clayed or polished correctly... which can cause a "clinging action" when there is wax on top...
 
I always wax on a cool surface in the shade, but being here in Florida you can't really get rid of the humidity.



Usually to get rid of the streaking/dark spots I will go over the entire car with Megs QD and a microfiber cloth to touch up and it usually takes care of things.



Cody
 
Streaking is most apparent on a cloudy day, or in the shade immediately after polishing or waxing. It is generally the result of some of the film formers in the product not leveling out on the finish. Certain chemicals, such as amino functional silicones have a tendency to behave this way. They have an affinity to stick to each other more than the surface of the paint. Waxes on the other hand level out quite well.



Sometimes reworking the area with an ID and a MFT will level them out and sometimes just placing the vehicle in the sun will make the finish level out.



If these simple steps don’t cure the problem then it may be time to try another product that does not have this attribute.



joburnet....what year is the mazda? Could be a paint prob or paint prep issue. Also...remember, a thin layer of product is better than thick.
 
It's a 94 and it's not factory paint so that could be the problem. I'm not really worried about this car in particular, it's just a beater, but I don't want to have it happen on customers cars so I wanted to learn more about it. I did a black yukon denali today with S100, which is what is on the mazda, and it turned out great. I always apply a very thin layer.



Mr. Chemist - thanks for your answer, it helps a lot.
 
yeah....10 year old paint could definitely be susceptible to accepting waxes differently in different areas of the paint....a deep polish job might help.
 
I get the same on my single stage '97 model MX-5. I always thought it was because I layered it on too thick. I don't think it's due to paint originality. My bonnet was resprayed and it streaks, yet my boot lid is original (as far as I know) and that streaks too. :nixweiss



Maybe a PC is the answer?
 
derekz said:
I get the same on my single stage '97 model MX-5. I always thought it was because I layered it on too thick. I don't think it's due to paint originality. My bonnet was resprayed and it streaks, yet my boot lid is original (as far as I know) and that streaks too. :nixweiss



Maybe a PC is the answer?
Click to expand...



Hate to tell ya, but the PC isn't the answer. I've got a PC and have been using NXT on my red MX-5 and I still get streaking no matter what. Usually its not so bad if I use a clean microfiber cloth to buff, but I still get streaks no matter what for some reason.
 
Have you tried Pinnacle Souveran? It is the ONLY wax that I've found that doesn't streak, no matter how humid it is, and even on black & red cars. Plus it makes them look absolutely liquid.
 
derekz said:
I get the same on my single stage '97 model MX-5. I always thought it was because I layered it on too thick. I don't think it's due to paint originality. My bonnet was resprayed and it streaks, yet my boot lid is original (as far as I know) and that streaks too. :nixweiss



Maybe a PC is the answer?
Click to expand...



You see what happens when you say you're from England, Mr. Chemist? People start saying "bonnet" and "boot"! :D
 
I get the streaks ever now and again with Zaino. It's usually because some areas are a little thick. Humid days don't help either. I get rid of them with some QD and a MF.
 
I see I am not the only one who is frustrated by streaking.

Same problem on my 97 Miata, Starlight Blue. S100, #26, Gold Glass, they all streak. The paint is orginal and gets clayed 1-2 times a year and polished maybe 3-4 times a year and waxed at least monthly.



It does seem to go away after a day or two though. Using a QD right after waxing helps remove some but not all the streaking.

I only notice it on the hood and trunk, never the sides. Maybe it is the temp. of the surface? I always wash/wax in the shade.



Very frustrating,



Mike
 
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