Every time I wax my car, when you look at it at the right angle you can sometimes see what looks like a "rainbow" effect, similar to seeing gas in a puddle in a parking lot. No matter how much I try to buff it takes forever for it to go away. I have a black TA and it is hard enough to keep it clean, but waxing can really show this effect. Sometimes buffing it just spreads it out. Also, I just waxed my other car not too long ago and it does the same thing, and that car is blue. It's really irritating...I've tried using a buffer, and by hand and it always happens. What am I doing wrong, or is it just "bad" wax? Anyone ever see something similar?

I've been using turtle wax, maybe I should try something different.

 

Off-Topic, is that your car in your sig... appears 'different'. Post a picture or email me a pic, camcovert@cableone.net

BACK ON TOPIC... I dunno, using a clean applicator pad/towell?

 

What are you using when you wash and wax the car? Where do you park it?

 

After waxing, I like to go over the whole car with quick detailer spray to remove any wax remnants.

 

It's the petroleum distillates left over from the wax.
Kinda like when you see a small amount of gas in a puddle of water, you get the rainbow but no gold at the end

 

Me too

 

the TA stays in the garage, the other car outside. I use regular car wash soap and wax when I'm done. That's about it.

 

Me too

 

How thick are you applying the wax? (it should be so thin that you can barely tell it's there, and you should use two coats to ensure even coverage)

How long are you letting it dry, or haze? (this will vary depending on temperature and humidity, but a good test is to swipe a clean finger over the hazed wax - if it leaves a totally clean swiped area then it's time to remove, but if it leaves an oily looking streak you need to let it set up longer.


Most people tend to apply way waaaay too thick. In my experience, if you think you're putting it on too thin, you aren't!

 

I use zaino, meguiar's or mothers and I apply it with medicinal cotton it is the best way to wax or polish a car, it doesn't leave petroleum residues or that rainbow signs on the paint

 

That's KITT from Knight Rider in his sig.

 

well id look for somethin else than the lucky charm car wax lol, u might want to get a new bucket for your car soap cuz u never know there might be oil in the bucket and that could be having that effect, just a thought.

 

^^
Did you read my post!?


IT'S IN THE WAX

 

Like Raiderfan said it could be the wax but it could also be something in the pad you are using to put the wax on or the rag you are using to wipe the wax off. There could be something in them contaminating the wax and you need to make shure they are very clean.

 

Also could be what you are using to remove the wax. If you are using anything that had fabric softener in it from a wash, that is your problem. I like to use 100% microfiber towels to remove the wax, then throw them away. I never use the same towel for ANYTHING. If you do not want to throw them away, keep them for underhood cleaning or something.

 

Are you serious? You essentially treat MF towels as disposable items?? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard of. You should have no problem collecting them up, washing them together (ONLY MF towels in the wash, no terry cloth or anything else with them) using a liquid detergent and warm water, then running through the dryer on low heat. As you said, NEVER use fabric softener with MF towels though. But the thought of throwing them away after a single use....I can't imagine. If I did that I'd probably spend $1000 on MF towels each year!!

 

On my DD, sure I reuse them. But when I buy a brand new truck, its getting nothing but the best I usually retire the MF towels to cleaning other things besides paint.

 

try cotton it works very good, and u can throw it away at any time

 

haha thats what i do...im always too scared to reuse towels, so i buy new ones every time. sucks to be whipped by a car

 

lmao, and my car isnt near as nice as yours.