Applying wax or cleaner

[gugel]

I've been told not to use a rotary motion when applying wax or paint cleaner because it leads to swirl marks.  Yet on the Meguiar web site, all the video demos show the wax being applied and polished (by hand)using a rotary motion.  Any comments?

Chris Earnest

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by gugel

I've been told not to use a rotary motion when applying wax or paint cleaner because it leads to swirl marks.  Yet on the Meguiar web site, all the video demos show the wax being applied and polished (by hand)using a rotary motion.  Any comments?

Chris Earnest

The general rule is to apply in the direction of wind travel.  However, there are so many variables relating to the beginning condition of the paint and series of products being used.  The degree of compounding, polishing, glazing and waxing varies with each job.  Personally, I think the quality of product and tools used is more important than the direction of application.  After all, orbital and direct drive buffers are circular in motion.  I'm detailing a tobacco brown 280 SL now with excellent quality paint.  Using a variable speed direct drive buffer with 3M Perfect IT III machine glaze and then straight to P21S Carnauba wax, applied circular and then direction of travel.  Coming out beautifully.  This is after direct drive buffing and nothing else.

[waqas]

John,

Which direct drive buffer do you use?

Thanks,

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by waqas

John,

Which direct drive buffer do you use?

Thanks,

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/makita/9227c.htm?L+coastest+srwj9254ffaadcaa+1217049246

[waqas]

quote:Originally posted by thelews

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/makita/9227c.htm?L+coastest+srwj9254ffaadcaa+1217049246

Thanks. Just ordered one...

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by waqas

Thanks. Just ordered one...

I'm not sure if step 4 or 5 is the product I use.  I think 4.  They changed the name from my machine glaze.  The identifying characteristic is that the product (what's in the bottle) is grey in color.  You also must use the 3m nubby foam pad for this system, I use the grey one.  Best stuff I've used.  Can only work small areas at a time 2X2 ft say or it dries up on you.  Always on cool surfaces only.  I tend to work it at a slower speed than the directions call for.  If you've done this sort of thing, you'll catch on quickly.

http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?6666660Zjcf6lVs6EVs66SQogCOrrrrQ-

[loizou]

had my car zymoled last weekend and the detailer lee mitchell from extreme detailing used a rotary polisher with various compounds to get rid of the swirl marks very successfully after going over the car with a clay bar and finally applying zymol vintage.the whole process took 1.5 days(approx 12 hours)

[Bob G ✝︎]

Your detailer did  a wonderful job. These are the steps I used on show car paint to receive a true wet finish with no make up glaze to cover swirl marks.

1) Thorough hand car wash, blow crevices and body seams out to purge excess water, open hood, doors, and trunk to wipe out gutters and excess water using a microfiber towel.

2) use a paint clay bar for soft single stage paint with lubricant to remove any industrial fallout from trees, catalytic exhaust, and road debris. Also use a mild new car solvent to remove tar from lower panels and around wheel wells and bottom rear quarter panel below  the belt molding.

3) mild cleaner polish with lambs wool pad and finish up with a finishing foam pad to return clarity and DOI to paint, using low RPM 1000 to 1500

4)  apply Zymol HD cleanse in straight back and forth motion, remove with soft cotton terry towel, follow with microfiber towels to remove excess plant oils in zymol HD cleanse.

5.Hand apply any of the Hand crafted zymol waxes by rubbing a finger nail's worth of wax between your palms to warm the wax up, apply to paint a section at a time, wait for wax to set up and slowly remove with plush 16 by 16 micro fiber towels. I go over the  car twice.

Once the wax is set up, after an hour, the shine will deepen and the clarity of the paint will look like you can fall through it.

6) Masking is an important step and also keeping your buffing pads clean. I use a Makita because it outperforms the Dewalt and starts off at 0 rpms and is an easy machine to use. I do not recommend this for novices.  Also the for Zymol Vintage developed for Gay Wales Fernay Bentley 1991. I helped prepare this car for Pebble Beach. The results are spectactualar!!! as you can see.

Bob Geco
Retired detailer and customer service engineer for Zymol in California.

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by Bob G


2) use a paint clay bar for soft single stage paint ...

Does that mean you cannot or should not use a clay bar on dual stage paints, that is, on clear coat?

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by 66andBlue

quote:Originally posted by Bob G


2) use a paint clay bar for soft single stage paint ...

Does that mean you cannot or should not use a clay bar on dual stage paints, that is, on clear coat?

I've used clay bar on clear many times.  I believe the distinction he's making is to use a type of clay for "soft single stage" paint.  I can't say I'm well versed on the differences between clays.