Streaking

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addysdaddy

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Have you notice any streaking after you wipe your car down with either waterless wash or detail spray? Doesn't seem to matter which product I'm using either since I've tried Pinnacle WW, Ultima Detail Spray Plus, and Sonax Detail Spray.

Granted I'm being OCD about this but when you take an inspection light at night in the garage and look closely at the paint, it's smeary and therefore is inhibiting the gloss effect. I have white paint which is why I used the inspection light in the first place to try and see the actual condition of my paint. I've tried numerous towel combinations and nothing seems to work. The best results I've gotten thus far (and not perfect) is a waffle weave towel for the first wipe and some super soft long nap towel for the final wipe. Also using less product seems to help but I cannot eliminate the streaking effect.

Wondering if others have experienced this and if so, any solution(s) you've been able to come up with.
 
I've used Pinnacle WW on my black car and I too get streaking. This past weekend it was quite bad. Some areas I was able to buff it out, but others I had to break out the classic Meguiars QD spray which worked really well.

When I first started using the Pinnacle WW I though the streaking was from the very cold conditions, but now that the weather has warmed up I can't blame temperature and I'm stumped. At least I can depend on the dirt cheap Meguiars QD to work great under any conditions.
 
At first I wanted to blame the Pinnacle WW which is why I tried a couple of different products - I'm getting the smearing effect regardless so I can't just blame the Pinnacle. Which Meguiars QD did you try, #34?
 
Here's a thought but I would like other opinions. I'm only have carnauba wax on my paint and no sealant product(s). Wondering if it's the wax that's causing the smearing effect and if it would be any better if I switched to a sealant. Is this possible or completely unrelated?
 
In my experience if you're getting streaking with a product it's from using too much.

Have you tried using a spray wax or quick detailer while you're drying the car? One spray per panel or just do a spray on your drying towel ever so often.

Also, if you're working in direct sunlight, or high humidity that could be an issue.
 
Streaking or what some people will call dark patches is simply excess product not removed.


The Final Wipe – Tips for creating a streak-free, show car finish


I see this sometime too but mostly on a finish that's already polished to perfection meaning the finish is incredibly smooth and sealed with something.

Thus any glossing agents, shine ingredients, etc. in the waterless wash or spray detailer or even spray wax will have a tendency to sit on the surface.

Try giving the paint a slow wipe with an incredibly soft, plush microfiber towel folded 4-ways or even mist a little spray detailer onto the nap of the cloth before wiping.



:dblthumb2:
 
Thanks Mike and yes, my paint condition is in excellent condition if I say so myself. Also, all the products I've been attempting to use contain some sort of wax. I have some original ONR w/o any wax additives so I'll give that a try using your Final Wipe technique and report back. Many thanks again.
 
First, make sure you're using Pinnacle WW at the correction dilution ratio, which is 1 part concentrate to 32 parts water. Not following the suggested dilution ratio will result in less-than-stellar results (ie: streaking and smearing).

Spray the product directly onto the paint, wipe it clean using a microfiber towel (Gold Plush Jr. is preferred), and then buff the area using a second clean, dry towel (again, Gold Plush Jr.).

Plan on using anywhere from 6-12 towels for a waterless wash, depending on how dirty the vehicle is. Once your second clean, dry towel begins to get saturated with product, you want to use that as your cleaning towel, and grab another clean, dry towel to buff the surface.

Like Mike said, performing a "final wipe" will also improve the end result.

Here's a link to an article I wrote for Pinnacle Liquid Crystal Waterless Wash:

Pinnacle Liquid Crystal - The 10 Minute Waterless Wash AND Wax!

Nick@Autogeek said:
DSCN4902.JPG


The goal while performing a waterless car wash is to safely remove dirt and grime without scratching the paint. Pinnacle Liquid Crystal Waterless Wash Concentrate with Carnauba creates a very slick surface so dirt and grime can safely be removed without scratching the finish. You always want to use an ample amount of product while performing a waterless wash.

Working one panel at a time, spray a liberal amount of product directly onto the surface and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. I like the Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towel because its pile is thick enough to trap dirt and grit without causing unnecessary drag.

DSCN4912.JPG


After wiping the area clean, grab a second clean, dry microfiber towel and lightly buff the surface. This will remove any excess residue while amping up the gloss even further.

DSCN4911.JPG
Click to expand...

:dblthumb2:
 
Hey Nick, I hear you loud and clear on the dilution ratio but...I'm thinking it's not that since the other RTU products I've tried have the same end result. But with that said, I'll will be mindful of how I mix the Pinnacle WW.
 
addysdaddy said:
At first I wanted to blame the Pinnacle WW which is why I tried a couple of different products - I'm getting the smearing effect regardless so I can't just blame the Pinnacle. Which Meguiars QD did you try, #34?
Click to expand...

Nothing that cosmic. I was using the basic QD that comes in the maroon spray bottle. You can only get it here as part of a clay kit, but I believe it's still available OTC. I love the stuff.

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
In my experience if you're getting streaking with a product it's from using too much.

Have you tried using a spray wax or quick detailer while you're drying the car? One spray per panel or just do a spray on your drying towel ever so often.

Also, if you're working in direct sunlight, or high humidity that could be an issue.
Click to expand...

Based on your advice, how do you judge the amount of waterless wash needed? Too little and you mar the paint, too much and you get streaks. Trial by error?

It wasn't too hot at the time I used the Pinnacle WW, but it was really humid. That might have been part of my problem.

At this point it seems keeping a bottle of good QD handy seems to be the universal solution to most of life's problems.
 
Thanks, Nick.

I followed the instructions in that older post pretty closely. My problems start when the cleaning towel gets saturated. I just need to keep a dry towel close to buff out as I go.
 
Are you guys using distilled water in your mix? I never get streaking with these products and always use distilled water.
 
Humidity could also be my problem as I live in south Florida - but that's also where AG is located so if anyone should know, it's our friends there.
 
Streaking? Oh...I was thinking of something from back in my college years I did.

Shoulda known better...this is a car care forum. My mind was somewhere else when seeing the thread title.
 
Gunslinger said:
Streaking? Oh...I was thinking of something from back in my college years I did.

Shoulda known better...this is a car care forum. My mind was somewhere else when seeing the thread title.
Click to expand...

Now that's funny especially since my dorm set the University of Maryland record for most streakers at one time. Oops. like the OP said, that's a different forum - sorry.
 
Back to the topic at hand...This thread has a happy ending. A shout out to everyone for helping me solve this issue and especially to Mike & Nick because without their suggestions, I'm sure I would still be struggling.

So here's how I resolved the smearing effect. First I went back to Mike's video and re-watched how to make the final wipe. Clearly I don't recall seeing this particular vid because my arms speed was about 10x what he was demonstrating. I even slowed down the wiping process when doing a waterless wash which helped to limit the smearing to a degree. I also took Nick's suggestion and reformulated my dilution strength per the instructions on the label. Gee Nick, why didn't you say just read the directions....tough to get good customers these days buddy.

So I waterless washed the hood again and there was streaking left behind. Armed with this new knowledge, I folded a gold jr 4 ways and sprayed a little bit of Pinnacle Waterless Wash onto the face of the towel, not directly on the paint. Slowly wiped about 1/4 of the hood and immediately followed with another fresh/dry gold jr. to remove any excess, long nap side to the paint. After inspecting the paint in the dark with my Brinkman, there was absolutely no streaking even though it was hot as hell and equally as humid inside of the garage tonight. And let me be clear, the paint looked fine in daylight - it's only at night under the unforgiving inspection light that you can observe the smearing. Doesn't mean it isn't there and certainly had a negative effect on the glossy appearance of the paint.

I must admit that I was surprised (no disrespect intended Mike) that arm speed would have such a significant effect on my results. Amazing. Glad it wasn't the Pinnacle WW since that's my go to favorite or none of the other "wax inclusive" detail spray products that I have on my shelf. Yep folks, operator error once again - when in doubt....Again my most sincerest thanks to all the forum members for helping out. You guys are the best.
 
addysdaddy said:
Now that's funny especially since my dorm set the University of Maryland record for most streakers at one time. Oops. like the OP said, that's a different forum - sorry.
Click to expand...

Sounds familiar...I went to Maryland. Before the term "streaking" came out, it was always referred to as "nude running". I did mine in Fall of 1973. A few months later UofM got the national record of over 800 streakers and they blocked traffic on Route 1. I was there but only as a spectator...nothing more to prove plus much tv coverage. The record only stood for a few days before another school set a new record with something like 1200 runners.
 
Gunslinger said:
Sounds familiar...I went to Maryland. Before the term "streaking" came out, it was always referred to as "nude running". I did mine in Fall of 1973. A few months later UofM got the national record of over 800 streakers and they blocked traffic on Route 1. I was there but only as a spectator...nothing more to prove plus much tv coverage. The record only stood for a few days before another school set a new record with something like 1200 runners.
Click to expand...

LOL - I was there too! There was another "run" in the Cumberland/Chestertown quad as well. OMG, and they would play the "Lone Ranger" symphony while the whole thing was going on. We went to college at a great time my friend.
 
I forgot about the "Lone Ranger" theme being played! You must have been there for the annual "spring follies" as I called the anti-war riots. Fifty people causing trouble and two thousand watching. When the tear gas went off everyone ran and anyone who got caught was arrested. The newspapers reported "2000 Maryland students rioted". The media's accuracy in reporting hasn't improved since.

I still remember the National Guard surrounding buildings and the dorms were locked after 9PM with a Guardsman at the door.

As you said...a "great time"!
 
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