First attempt with SS red, wax not going on well?

Arn24

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First post! EDIT: apparently I need to figure out how to insert pics, so the attachments should be in order.

96 Cardinal Red 4runner. Here's before:


Here's where I'm at now after following Mike's SS paint restore article using 2 coats of Megs #7:


So, I know it will need more correction, but I don't own a DA yet. I have a 9227, but I'm nowhere near proficient with it yet. I'm hand applying Megs #26 with a foam applicator pad. This has always been an easy to remove wax for me, but now it's leaving swirls/marks and is a PITA to remove. Seems like I have to be really quick with wiping it off.


I know there is still some oxidized paint in there, but I need to get some protection on it as it will be at least a month before I can get a DA to finish up with. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Aaron
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Did you wash first? Did you clay? Are you using quality MF towels? How old is the wax? Did it sit somewhere where it could have gotten ruined?
 
Did you wash first? Did you clay? Are you using quality MF towels? How old is the wax? Did it sit somewhere where it could have gotten ruined?
Thanks for the quick reply! I will post my process below. I'm using terry towels. I have had this wax for a couple of years actually. It 'seems' OK, however it does say something about not allowing it to freeze. Are there any specific symptoms to look for?
Please list what your process was.
I washed the vehicle. I didn't use Dawn as I'm pretty sure there wasn't any wax on it to strip off. I clayed the entire vehicle, saw an improvement in the smoothness. Next applied a coat of Megs #7 and let it sit for roughly 12-14 hours. Removed that, then applied a second coat, but removed after each panel. Then began wax application with foam applicator pad using a terry cloth towel to remove wax.

I'm wondering if maybe the #7 is still 'wet' with the oils and maybe it's causing the wax to go on difficult? I'm fighting through it as it's my daily driver and will need some protection until I can begin the next stage of correction.

Thanks again for your replies!

Aaron
 
I am no product expert however the wax is several years old and sounds like you might have left it out in the cold. That may have caused it to go bad which is probably why it's not coming off easy. Add that to the fact that you are using terry cloths to remove it and that explains the marks your are getting on the paint.
 
What am I missing? It looks great for finishing out by hand. Obviously a buffer will make a difference but the after pictures look great IMO.
 
I will dispose of that bottle of wax and get some new stuff before my next stage. I did switch to a MF towel and didn't see any difference.

Got it all on finally. I can see that I didn't remove all of the oxidation, but at least I got some moisture back in the paint. Once I procure a DA, I'll have at it again.

Thanks for your replies!
 
What am I missing? It looks great for finishing out by hand. Obviously a buffer will make a difference but the after pictures look great IMO.

Thanks! The last picture shows the swirls that were being left by my wax application.
 
What am I missing? It looks great for finishing out by hand.
Obviously a buffer will make a difference but the after pictures look great IMO.
^^^:iagree:^^^

And I noticed you did not use a compound,
or a polish-with-abrasives for any 'cut'...
prior to your wax (M26) application wax!!

When you're getting your DA...
Make sure you also get some M105/M205...
along with some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound (UC) as their intermediate.

And...
"Test Spot using the least aggressive first".

:)

Bob
 
Looks pretty good especially considering you didn't do any polishing to the paint. Why didn't you pick up some new wax and do a test spot to see if you would get better results? I think a cleaner wax would have been a good test prior to #7. Either way, looks good to most untrained eyes anyway.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online
 
Also, I think a paste wax might give better results on top of the #7 as it may keep from re-wetting the oils and any oxidation still on the paint.
And are those wheels as bad as the pic shows?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online
 
^^^:iagree:^^^

And I noticed you did not use a compound,
or a polish-with-abrasives for any 'cut'...
prior to your wax (M26) application wax!!

When you're getting your DA...
Make sure you also get some M105/M205...
along with some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound (UC) as their intermediate.

And...
"Test Spot using the least aggressive first".

:)

Bob
Thanks! This is my first time with SS paint and was unsure how a hand applied abrasive would turn out. I did a test spot on top (by hand) with some Meg's Ultimate Polish, and there was improvement. I have some UC that I will try out when I get my DA.

Looks pretty good especially considering you didn't do any polishing to the paint. Why didn't you pick up some new wax and do a test spot to see if you would get better results? I think a cleaner wax would have been a good test prior to #7. Either way, looks good to most untrained eyes anyway.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online

Also, I think a paste wax might give better results on top of the #7 as it may keep from re-wetting the oils and any oxidation still on the paint.
And are those wheels as bad as the pic shows?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online

Thanks! As for this go 'round, I'm out of time, money, and ibuprofen! I will look into some different waxes. I think after I get a DA, I will try the following:
Megs UC
Another coat of Megs #7
A cleaner wax
Wax

Yup, the wheels are that bad.... Looking into possibly sand blasting then powder coating gun metal gray.

Thanks again!
 
Looks like a good first step. I have a 92 toyota pickup, cardinal red also.
I have polished it out with a DA and wow.
Your 4Runner looks good so far, save up and take it to the next level. Getting there is half the fun.
 
Thanks everyone!

I finally purchased a DA (no flaming, I bought the Harbor Freight one, and pads...:dunno:) I used Megs UC with a HF blue pad, then hand applied #7, then Megs #26 (went on much easier this time. I think the paint was trying to soak it up last time).

I will have to do it all again before winter hits, I can see the oxidation starting again already. Zainos Z5 and Z2 were recommended to me, any thoughts?


 
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