Polish/Wax question

[DooMer_MP3]

Ok, so I polished and waxed my car this past Friday. I spent like 4 hours on the damn thing. I used 3M Imperial Hand Glaze Polish followed by Meguiars Gold for wax. Everything looked great in the garage/hazy sunlight. Today I walked out of work and started walking towards my car and I see these greasy looking spots all over the side. They disappear when they are not in direct sunlight. It looks like oil/grease residue. What is this? What should I do to remove this? Thanks!

Chris

 

[APEXistud]

Did you use any kind of cleaner prior to using the Polish? I did my car this weekend too and it also took about 4 hour. That's including breaks and all that in between. I did the full 4 step process, wash-cleaner-polish-wax. I also did some bug & tar removing before I washed to play it safe. After I using the cleaner, I couldn't believe how much oxidization was on the rear trunk lid and rear bumper. Anyhow, I think the spots could be the tire shine you used. I also had those spots on my car whenever I would use any tire shine other than Meguires. What I usually do with tire stuff is spray it on and let it the sun bake it in. The spots will go away when you wash your car again.

 

[wildman]

I use Meguiar too, it just oils in the wax. next time I washed the car, they were gone. as for the oxizidation apex mentioned, correct me if im wrong but dont our cars have clear coat? so if its oxidizing then that means your at the paint level?

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Apexi:
I didn't use a cleaner. I didn't really see the need to because it had been a long time since I waxed (November... oops). Water did not bead at all, so I didn't think I had much wax left on it. Basically I washed the car really well, dried it, applied the polish to a panel, buffed it out as best I could, applied wax, buffed it out as best I could and moved on to the next panel.

I didn't apply any tire gel this time around because it was supposed to rain a day or two later which usually kills that stuff instantly.

Wildman:
I hope you're right. I don't feel like repeating this entire process due to something stupid I did. Hopefully when I wash it tommorow I will be able to get rid of them, and maybe buff out the reminants.

Thanks guys! Its just tough spending so much time on something and having it come out worse than it was (well, it looks fantabulous when its not in direct sunlight).

Chris

Chris

 

[kingvitamin]

It's vital to use a cleaner before using a polish or wax. Reason being, is that if you don't your just trapping oxidation/contaminents under the coat of wax. Try a clay bar too, they work wonders. I used to do the Cleaner - Polish - Wax routine. I actually found that by just using Mequiar's Cleaner Wax (the one step stuff) about once every 2 or 3 weeks, I got a lot better shine. I use it with a 6" orbital buffer, and it looks really nice when I'm done. Takes under and hour to wax it good with a buffer once you get the hang of it. Also, try micro-fiber cloths for removing wax, and buffing. I swear by micro-fiber.

 

[APEXistud]

I wanted to use a buffer too, but I had bad results with them in the past on my other cars. Probably because I'm not good with them or I was using the wrong material pads. Maybe I should give it another shot and I'll also give micro fiber a try. Good thing is that I have a yellow MP3, so the swirls will be pretty hard to spot over the life of me owning the car. I'll try the buffer next time Subywan uses cleaner/polish/wax on his WRX. I am completely satisfied with the car after spending the 4 hours doing the steps.

You're 100% correct about the regular tire gel, that stuff sucks when it rains. It just rinses right off, but Meguires really does last a long time depending on how many coats you use. I usually use 2 and it can last a full month with slight rain showers. Of course it loses a little bit of luster over the month, but it doesn't start to brown the tires at all. This is a nice and informative thread. If you guys are looking for some pretty decent information on car cleaning tips, check out CarCareOnline

 

[DooMer_MP3]

kingvitamin:

Yeah, another reason I didn't use a cleaner was because I didn't know it did what you mentioned. I'll have to do that next time. Should you use cleaner before you polish AND wax? Or can you use it when you're just going to wax? Thanks man.

APEXi:

Where do you get this Meguiars gel? I've been looking for gels (albeit not too hard) and haven't found any gels.

Thanks guys!

Chris

 

[kingvitamin]

All cleaner does is remove EVERYTHING from your cars finish. I wouldn't use only cleaner and wax, because your finish might look dull, or at least not as good as it could. Go to Wal-Mart and buy a $15 6" orbital buffer, and a bottle of Meguiar's Cleaner Wax and give it a try. I'm betting you'll be satisfied.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Well, good news. I took the car to the carwash (touchless of course), dried her off and buffed out some reminants. At a closer look in the sun, it was just oils left from the wax. An application of Meguiars Quick Detail helped buff it right out. I'm beautiful now without all of the hairline scratches! Yay.

Chris

 

[APEXistud]

You should be able to pick up Meguires tire gel at any local auto parts store. Just walk in and ask for Meguires tire gel.