Carnuba Smear?

Anyone get this? I sometimes get this when in direct sunlight. Looks like some smear from where the applicator applied the wax. I try to apply as thinly as possible, but every now and then I get this. I've been using the CG applicators.

Tips would be appreciated. Also, how are you guys removing this?

 

wipedown the car after w a QD

 

sounds good. thanks!

 

Lance,
most waxes will smear depending how warm/humid it is..or how hot he panels are...as FMINUS mentioned hit the smears with a QDer and you'll be fine

 

you can also use a damp mf to correct the problem

 

I agree with FMINUS. In fact I have gotten to where a wipe down with a good QD like Clearkote QS or the new Optimum ID before the owner arrives has become part of my regimine and looks really good.

 

good info. Are you doing the wipe down right after wax removal? or after you buff off and let the wax cure?

 

I get that problem often because I just can't seem to get myself to apply a THIN layer of wax.

After I buff off the excess, I find spraying the whole car down with really COLD water (I stick a spray bottle in the freezer for at least an hour) and then buffing that off usually fixes the problem. Also, I usually use distilled water to reduce the chance of spotting.

 

awesome info Mike!

 

This is exactly what lead me to Zaino. I used to hate when the sun was low in the sky the side of my black MB would look all smeary, and it was always the exact way I applied my wax. I would always try to apply in long straight lines horizonally along the length of the panel trying to minimize this effect but it still bothered me. I switched to a sealant (Zaino) and haven't had a problem since. That said I know most of you guys on this forum are carnuaba junkies and do not want to switch especially since you probably have 5 figure carnuaba collections. That said I did find that QD helped as did the first wash. Back then I was mostly using Meguiars #26 liquid and have just recently started experimenting with some of the higher end paste waxes so I cannot say which is worst. I will have to break out my old #26 as I still have a 1/2 gallon of it sitting on the shelf and see how it compares to some of the better waxes as far as leaving that smeary look.

I even tried stuff similar to Mike like misting the car and re drying it but they still would show under the right lighting. And when that look did start to diminish, so was that great shine. Is there any wonder why I was turned off to carnuaba's...

 

Huh that's interesting, I don't think I've ever had this well not after giving the vehicle a Field Glaze wipe down...mmm..interesting.

 

isnt smearing usually from an uncured buff? once its curred it cant be pushed around.

 

Many waxes will do this, which annoys me to no damn end. Depends a lot on the humidity outside and how warm it is. Haven't had any issues so far this year though.

What I do on my personal vehicles is give it an AW wipe down after having buffed the wax off about an hour or so later. You don't want to do it immediately after because the wax won't have time to cure and you'll end up wiping most of it off.

 

This is what lead me to buy a few bottles of FG. Usually, I'll wax and be done for the day waiting for the wax to cure. I'll see the smears the next day and be upset. I think I'll add a chilled FG wipe down after 3hrs and see if this takes care of it.

 

sucks for me then. being in the louisiana humidity is extremly high

 

Tell me about it, I'm in Texas...

:applause2:

 

Just to clarify here, the smears present themselves after a few hours and once you wipe with FG they will not come back right? Even if the humidity is high?

 

Yes, back when I used to have this issue all the time I would usually notice it the next day after it has been driven and by that time you cannot just go over it with Field Glaze since you have already driven it and it has road dust on it. I would have to live with it until its next wash which was usually 1 week. All my cars that are driven are usually washed on a weekly basis.

 

I completely agree with you. You cannot see it the day itself, usually later on that day or the next day. That's why I always would play it safe, park the vehicle inside for a few hours, then go over it with AW. Worked a treat, but extra annoying work nonetheless. As much as I love Pete's '53, it would be notorious for doing it on my truck.

 

So you're supposed to park the vehicle inside away from sunlight rather than outside to let it sweat?