I recently waxed my truck with McGuiars 1-2-3 product, first the cleaner then the polish then wax, I have alot of swirls on my truck now and was wandering which stage of the process put them there? do I need to let the polish dry before taking it off? how long would be a normal time to let the wax dry before buffing it off? I am considering just waxing it again without the polish, will this take the swirls out or do I need to do all 3 steps again, thanx

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99 F-150 sc, 4x4,5.4,wedgewood blue,mods are on the way

 

I never used the 123 Meguirs but what are you using to apply it?

Also what are you using to remove the wax and polish?

I use Zaino but I believe it holds true for all detailing products. The towels used to remove polish should be 100% cotton. Also the "rag" you use to wash your truck ought to be 100% cotton mitt. The wool ones scratch too.

If you go to www.zaino.com there is a whole page on how important it is to have certain brand and type of towels.

Time to remove wax depends on temperature and humidity.

Robert

 

Sounds like you are using the Meguiars "Deep Crystal System". I have used it with good success, but I have switched to their "Gold Class" line, which has a "Clearcoat Prep/Swirl Remover". Most wax applications follow a 3-step process. 1) Cleaning 2) Polishing and 3) Waxing. All are necessary steps. It's hard to say where your swirls came from exactly. Check out the thread in this section called "Help, I have swirls". There is a lot of good information about removing swirl marks in there!

Also...you should ALWAYS polish AND wax your paint. Why? Polish restores natural oils to the paint and gives it depth. Wax PROTECTS the paint once it has been polished.

If you are using Meguiars products, they have a toll-free number at their website and the guys there are very helpful without any pressure to buy product. You may want to check it out at www.meguiars.com

Good Luck!

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1999 F-150 4x4 SuperCab, Deep Wedgewood Blue, ORP, 4-Wheel ABS, Loaded, Flowmaster 50 series, K&N, Tint, Super-White headlights, Westin Nerf Bars, Toff Spray-On Bedliner, Pioneer DEH-P3000 and TS-A6815 speakers, ADS PQ/8 amp.

 

I recently received a brand new set of swirls myself. I've been doing ALOT of research in the last 2 weeks on how to get rid of the swirls and wax my truck the right way. The first thing I learned is not to use a cleaner. If you have a newer vehicle you probably don't need it. I would guess that this is where your swirls came from. Use a Polish (not a polish/cleaner) then wax. I have yet to get the Zaino Bros. products that everybody raves about but this sounds like your best bet for a great looking truck. As for the swirls, 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Works great. 100% cotton towels that are made in the USA, cut the tags and edges off and wash them a couple of times before using them. This is an excellent site to go to to learn more about auto body care www.carcareonline.com Good luck, -ZR

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98' F-150, Off Road, Short Box, Blue, 4.6, K&N, Auto, Captain Chairs, Dual Exhaust
Alpine CD Player, (2) 10" Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers and a big ol' Arctic Cat
sticker on the rear sliding window!!!!! Soon to be chipped!!!

 

I have been trying Zaino products and the Z-5 product does a real nice job on the swirls.
It takes a lot of time to dry ... but it is worth the wait.

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1998 F-150 Lariat S/C 4x4 5.4L Line-x

 

It sounds like the swirls that you are talking about are from the wax, not something that is actually in your clear coat. Meguiars tends to leave swirls, especially on dark paint jobs, but there are a few things you can do to limit them.

First, use small amounts. The thicker the coat, the more chance that you will get swirls. That's why the directions say to use sparingly.

Second, make sure that the polish or wax is totally dry before you try to remove it.

Third, make sure to keep turning your towel to a clean side periodically. Once it gets coated in oil and wax residue, it doesn't remove it as well.

If you are still noticing wax swirls after all this, then there is one more method you can use. Clean your hands, and put a dab of wax in the palm of one of them about the size of a pea. Rub the wax into the fingers and palm of that hand until it's dry. Put this hand flat against the body, and glide it along the surface, following the towel, which you are using with your other hand. Don't apply any pressure with your hand. Surprisingly, your bare hand will actually remove the residue of wax and oils that remain on the surface after the towel.

For the record, I used to use Meguiars, but now I use Zaino, and it is worlds better than Meguiars. So long as you let it dry, there are no worries about swirls, and it removes so much easier.

[This message has been edited by Typhoon (edited 12-17-1999).]

 

The only towels I can seem to find in my area say "100% cotton/amgren" it sounds like some kind of mix? they are made in the usa but I tried to dry my truck with them and they do not absorb water at at all, they weren't very expensive only like 5 bucks for a bath towel, do I need to spend more money or find a better brand?

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99 F-150 sc, 4x4,5.4,wedgewood blue,mods are on the way

 

The answer is both. Buy either Fieldcrest or Cannon towels, but make sure they say 100% cotton, made in the USA. They cost $10-$12 a piece, but you get what you pay for. As an alternative, there is a site online where you can buy towels without the borders or anything, here's the link:

http://planetaardvark.magicplace.com/towels/

As for the use of the towels in drying, you need two of the nice big bath style towels. Use one to dry the majority of the water from one part of the truck at a time, then use the second to go back over the same area to get the leftover water from the first towel.

I start with the hood and front quarter panels. I lay one towel out and drag it across the surface, making sure to soak up any pooled water in the cracks and things, but not worrying too much about getting the little streaks of water that are left by the first pass. Then, I grab the second towel and go over the same area with more of a light rubbing motion. This method gets all of the water without ever having to wring out the towels and I can cover a third of the truck in about 45-60 seconds. You'll know if you're doing it right if you have a hard time telling that your second towel is wet at all when you're done.

[This message has been edited by Typhoon (edited 12-18-1999).]

 

I recently bought the Meguiar's Deep crystal system polish AND the Deep Crystal System Carnauba wax. I polished the entire truck and followed it with the wax..by hand. This produced an incredible shine and reflection with no swirl marks at all.

So far, out of all of the waxes I have tried on my black 98 F-150 and now my 2000 F-150...this 'combination' is the best! I have never used a POLISH before...so this might be the key. I have never had this kind of a shine..and I have even used the Gold Class Meguiar's wax (without a polish though).

The swirl reducer DOES work and helps hide the minor scratches in the paint. My 98 had a few swirls and the swirl reducer got rid of them.

I also bought a bottle of their TIRE GEL after receiving their *free* sample...and it is also VERY good. I have been using the tire gel on the external plastic trim with very good results.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99