A: Use mineral spirits for removing the polish residue left behind on plastic trim. Car polishes/waxes contain a cleaner that will leave a haze on plastic trim.

Q: After I polished my car, the surface has swirls, or a white haze. What do I do?

A: You probably have "oxidation." You don't usually see oxidation, but the dulling of your paint's finish may mean that you have oxidation. Your car's color slowly changes due to oxidation, stripping your car of the shine that it once had when it left the showroom.

Oxidation is caused by the weathering of your painted surface on your car, primarily from the intensity of the sun's rays as well as exposure to moisture. The natural oils are lost because the sun dries out the top layers of paint. If these oils aren't replaced, the paint oxidizes. The oxidized paint is also described as "dead paint." The surfaces that are most affected are the flat surfaces, such as the hood, roof and/or trunk of the car because of exposure to direct sunlight.

Q: How do I remove dead paint and oxidation from my paint's surface?

A: Use a prewax cleaner or a liquid oxidation remover for removing dead paint and oxidation (refer to previous question).

Q: What is the difference between a polish and a conventional wax?

A: Conventional waxes don't last long because the common ingredient in these products, carnauba wax, breaks down quickly from everyday conditions.

Q: How do I avoid getting swirl marks on my car?

A: Swirl marks are microscopic scratches in your car's finish. Harsh polishing pads, automatic car washes, or cloths that have picked up abrasives from improper storage may also cause swirl marks.

To avoid getting swirl marks, thoroughly wash your car's finish before applying a car polish. Always use a clean, 100% terry cloth towel so the sensitive paint on your car has less of a chance of being scratched.

Q: Why should I use a formulated car wash, rather than a dishwashing detergent to wash my car?

A: Household detergents can strip away wax or polish that is applied on painted surfaces, leaving your car's finish unprotected by removing the protective layer of wax from your car. Formulated Car Wash is specifically formulated to cut through the tough grime while leaving the layers of wax or polish behind on the painted surface. It won't streak or spot like most car washes, and it's safe for all car finishes.

quote:

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Originally posted by johnmustang:
....100% terry cloth towel ....

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i find a 100% cotton white tshirt works better for me than a terry towel which can leave swirls due to the nap/loop in the material....

kk

I HATE waxing cars.

quote:

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Originally posted by kwazykat:
i find a 100% cotton white tshirt works better for me than a terry towel which can leave swirls due to the nap/loop in the material....

kk

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I agree on the cotton white T-shirts. Wear them for first. After a few wash cycles they work even better. Never used the waxing t-shirts for anything else.

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oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs

quote:

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Originally posted by Fastymz:
I agree on the cotton white T-shirts. Wear them for first. After a few wash cycles they work even better. Never used the waxing t-shirts for anything else.

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What Cathy and I have found to be the best cloth to use is a baby receiving blanket.

We go to the salvation army and buy them for .50 each, Cathy then re-washes them and cuts them up into 8 perfect size pieces and after we use them she washes them again and I then use them for garage rags.

We only ever use them once on the car and that is it. They are very cheap to buy they do not scratch and it also supports the salvation army, it is a win - win for everybody.

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JOHN
65 FASTBACK 2+2
87 TAURUS WAGON
03 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4 SHORT BOX
Member: PACIFIC COAST MUSTANG ASSOCIATION
Member:Vancouver Island Mustang Association
M&M #1710
65 FASTBACK
2003 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4

quote:

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Originally posted by Fastymz:
I agree on the cotton white T-shirts. Wear them for first. After a few wash cycles they work even better. Never used the waxing t-shirts for anything else.

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I thought you were going to say that a woman should wear it first, wet of course, then rub the car down with it on.

Or is that just what I was thinking.

I should get out more often.

Micro fiber wash towels, micro fiber dry towels with a waffle weave (I like Big Blue), even micro fiber bonnets for random orbiters.

Always wash using the two bucket method. One containing your car wash solution mixed with warm water, and another bucket of clean water to rinse your micro fiber washer before you put it back into the car wash solution bucket. This also helps prevent swirls from appearing.

Here is oxidation on the roof of my Lightning.

It takes the proper compound to remove the oxidation, along with the proper tools. Usually wet sanding, or an orbital buffer with the right cutting compound.

I used a random orbit machine for this. Its pretty time consuming to use a random orbiter, even with the proper cutting compound.

Stewart

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Said cynot65 to a troll on the board: "what a demented little spit puddle you are"

Black '99 Lightning
- It's my 13.19 second work truck!

2000 7.3L PSD Excursion
- The family land yacht

1990 Platinum GT: 25th Year Anniversary Edition
- Stolen and stripped, waiting to be rebuilt and reborn.

M&M Member #437

Just wanted to add my two cents regarding micro fiber....

The micro fiber waffle weave Big Blue really is an awesome dry towel!

quote:

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Originally posted by Stewart:
micro fiber....

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IMHO it's the only way to go...

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i before e except in BUDWEISER !!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Stewart:
Wow...I didn't mean to put a damper on the thread!

Stewart

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Why would you think you did Stewart ?

quote:

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Originally posted by cobravenom71:
GOJO (or any similar brand) hand cleaner is awesome at removing the white residue left on black textured trim from waxing. I have tried every miracle solution over the years amd nothing works better! Just scrub it in lightly with an old toothbrush and wipe it off. Looks like new!

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It's also excellent for spark plug wires! Just be sure to use regular (without the grit) for either task.

Good Luck!

quote:

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Originally posted by johnmustang:
Why would you think you did Stewart ?

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Bcause it was going strong with posts until I posted!

I thought I skeered everyone off with my micro fiber mojo!

Stewart

quote:

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Originally posted by cobravenom71:
GOJO (or any similar brand) hand cleaner is awesome at removing the white residue left on black textured trim from waxing.

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Awesome tip!

quote:

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Originally posted by johnmustang:
A: Swirl marks are microscopic scratches in your car's finish. Harsh polishing pads, or cloths that have picked up abrasives from improper storage may also cause swirl marks.

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Any tips on what works best to get the swirls out???
They aren't too terribly bad in the sunlight but under flourescent lights in the garage they look absolutely NASTY.

Thanks.
Joe

quote:

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Originally posted by 68F100:
I thought you were going to say that a woman should wear it first, wet of course, then rub the car down with it on......

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actually joe, if it is done correctly, the wet tshirt comes OFF ..... with nothing on under it .... is wrung out.... and THEN used on the car..... [don't ask me how i know.... heh heh heh ]

quote:

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Originally posted by cobravenom71:
GOJO (or any similar brand) hand cleaner is awesome at.....

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GOJO is also awesome to clean your interior.... my local antique-car-advise-guy suggested GOJO when i asked him about cleaning the cat-vertible..... it is lanolin based and will not harm the upholstery [lessin of course the interior is cloth... ~ahem~ but i am talkin' leather and vinyl....]

use it with a soft brush to remove crud in the wrinkles of the seats, armrests, etc.... keep a moist cloth close by to wipe the dirty mess off the interior as you go ...... works fantastic and you will be shocked at how much yukky stuff is in/on there!!!

finish up by using endust or pledge to wipe down the inside for a nice shine without so many of the petroleum/silicone based ingredients of most interior products......

quote:

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Originally posted by Blacksmith:
Any tips on what works best to get the swirls out???

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Joe, again, I'd recommend www.Britemax.com

I used the Resto Max to get rid of the oxidation, and Perfect Prep to attack my swirl problem.

quote:

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Originally posted by kwazykat:
actually joe, if it is done correctly, the wet tshirt comes OFF ..... with nothing on under it .... is wrung out.... and THEN used on the car..... [don't ask me how i know.... heh heh heh ]

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That would make me leave all sorts of swirl marks...

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveLaRiviere:
That would make me leave all sorts of swirl marks...

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I'd be leaving water spots, well, sort of

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i before e except in BUDWEISER !!!

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveLaRiviere:
That would make me leave all sorts of swirl marks...

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ME TOO!!!
Couldn't concentrate on waxing the car.

Thanks Stewart.
I'll see if I can find some BriteMax & try it w/o the wet t-shirt coming off (or it may never get done).
Guess my terry cloth towels weren't as clean as I thought. Probably dust settling on them in the garage that did the damage.

Thanks for the info!