Film left on car after wax....

[Jamesw]

Ok so I got the chance to wax my 300 for the first time since I purchased it (12/31/04), the weather here has been a pain in the rear trying to keep a car clean. Anyways I waxed the car like I do my other ones and when I went to remove the wax with a terry cloth towel it left a haze/film on the paint. Well luckily I got it off after using Body Shine and finishing up with Kosmic Shine. However it took over 2 hours to complete all this and was a major pain. The car is Brillant Black and I love it but I dont want to go thru this again. So my question is has anyone encountered this before and do you know what else I can do?

[turbomangt]

I will say this from a professional viewpoint. Wax has been around as long as car finishes. 100 years. For the most part they have not changed. They are still a bi-product coming from trees. Paint techology has evolved so much say even over the last 5 years that I ask people all the time why would you use a product 100 years old when paints are changing almost every year? I'm a big fan of synthetic, becuase they are man made from chemicals designed to enhance and protect your finish the way it was meant to be. From a protection standpoint, wax will protect 30 days, synthetics will protect up to 6 months or 6 times longer. Another thing is the ease of application and removal of synthetic. Its a no brainer once you switch. Synthetic won't stain your trim like wax either. In the Guru wax report, a non-biased summary on the performance of waxes and synthetic, the synthetics ruled and came out on top hands down. So this is just not my opinion. Why do you think dealerships are capitalizing on the after market selling of paint sealant. Dealers near me are charging upwards of $900 to apply this!!!!! Yes it is better, but not $900 better. I charge my customers $150 to apply the paint seal, and you can buy it on my web site for $10, YES I said $10! read the feedback section and see what people are saying about it, you decide. Gary

[Jamesw]

Thanks for the advice I will definetly try it out.

Thanks,
James

[II kings 9:20]

[quote=Jamesw]Ok so I got the chance to wax my 300 for the first time since I purchased it (12/31/04), QUOTE]
You may have done this and it's not germain to your reason for posting but make sure you clay before applying any treatment even on a new car. Washing alone is entirely inadequate. There is a clay thread for more details.

[Jamesw]

I have always been told that clay bars with scratch your paint, and the car being black I didnt want to take a chance.

[jeffp]

I never used clay before this car, and was amazed by the difference from before to after. Only took about 1/2 hour to clay the whole car and the feel to the hand was much smoother. I suspect some of the wax haze may be due to roughness in the finish. Very little effort is needed to get the wax off a smooth surface. Try using clay on one section and then wax over it. I'll wager that the clayed area has less to no haze. (I used Klasse glaze [x3] after the clay followed by a carnuba paste wax. Has held up great all winter so far, but I haven't used soap to wash it, only water and the dirt and salt just slides right off.

[II kings 9:20]

turbomangt has a website with clay info, or try www.zainostore.com for a clay lesson. I have been using clay for several years and quite the contrary, clay prevents scratches by removing grime, dirt, rail dust etc. You only think you cleaned your car by washing alone. All the fine grit is ground into the paint, ever wonder why a new black car has no swirl marks and after a few waxes it's loaded?. Ever notice your white applicator pad turned grey after waxing, what is that grey stuff? It's dirt you failed to remove after washing that is acting as sand paper on your new black finish. I am no detailing expert but I do know what many say about clay and I have quite a bit of experience with it and extremely satisfied with the results.

[turbomangt]

Kings hit the nail on the head. Now I will say that if you use clay incorrectly, you may damage your finish (not using librication) Librication is the key to success in using clay, once you have that down, you won't believe how clean your surface will be. King told it right as to the single contributor to introducing swirl and scratches is wax/polishing your car without claying first. Try the plastic baggie test to see what condition your finish is in. On a clean dry car, take a sandwiche bag, put your hand in it and gently move across your finish (the plastic will magnify the senses in your hand 20 times.) if you feel that it is rough, it needs clay. What you are feeling is the dirt that a simple car wash won't remove. Imagion what will happen if you wax your car with those contaminants still there. Diaster. Gary

[Jamesw]

Thanks guys for everything and turbomangt I will be mailing my order tomorrow 2/9/05. Once again thanks

[BMWhat?]

Jamesw, I definately agree with these guys, clay is the way. I too prefer sythetics wax.

However, there are mistakes that can be made even with synthetics that will make removing the residue more difficult and possibly leave behind haze or a film. For one, leaving a wax/synthetic on too long (or longer than is specified) can be a problem. Carnauba wax is especially prone to this. The other thing to watch our for is to NOT EVER wax in direct sunlight.

Make certain you follow these basic rules no matter what product you use.