Detailers Step In

[Z71Sierra]

Been having an issue the last few weeks here at the shop. After waxing, the paint on darker vehicles has a greasy/wipe mark thing going on. No amount of wiping will take it off.

The only thing that I have found to remove it was window cleaner and a cotton towel, but this knocks down some of that initial shine. I have been using the same jugs of wax so its not that, I changed the chemicals I claybar with and that didn't work.

The only thing I can think of is it's my microfibers that I am using to apply and remove the wax but figured I would ask around before ordering a new set of towels.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Ghastlyone]

It could depend on how much product you're applying also?

You want to apply extremely small amounts of product, especially on wax.

I've had this happen also, where you get streaking afterwards.

[Z71Sierra]

Yea, its not the amount. The wax I use is kind of retard proof that way because some of my "coworkers" are newbs. This is happening to everybody though, with both the sealant and the synthetic carnuba wax. At first I blamed the high humidity we had last week but its 77 and sunny right now and both the black F-250 and blue caravan have it.

It's almost like a black greasy type of thing, like somebody ran a sweaty hand across a clean car. I tried to get some pictures but my phone can't pick it up.

Also, and just to clarify, I have been detailing since I was 15 and work at a detail shop so this isn't a newb problem.

So far I have
- Gotten new claybars
- Switched clay lube
- Cleaned wax bottles and filled them with fresh wax out of the jug
- Removed the wax immediately after it flashes, and also let it sit for 10mins after flashing.

Spray wax does not remove the streaks either.

Edit: Have about 200 microfibers and they are about 2yrs old. I wash them with a plain jane wash machine and a powder detergent, then they get dried in a regular dryer, no fabric softener or dryer sheet. They are never washed with anything other than other microfibers and are never mixed with anything other than microfibers.

[Z71Sierra]

Alrighty all, my question was answered on another forum. Seems that after two years of wiping engine and tire shine overspray off the paint, my towels have a silicone buildup and need to be replaced.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Tweaks]

Alrighty all, my question was answered on another forum. Seems that after two years of wiping engine and tire shine overspray off the paint, my towels have a silicone buildup and need to be replaced.

Thanks,
Ryan

That makes complete sense to me. Thanks for sharing what you discovered.

[Ghastlyone]

Interesting dude, glad you found that out.

That's good to know for sure.

[Andrew.]

What a coincidence...


Im having the same problem, realized it was my towels making streak-topia. I really dont feel like replacing around 20ish towels though. :(

Can they be washed? Will it ruin the washing machine because of the build up?...or do I gotta handwash them in hot water?

[Ghastlyone]

You should be washing your towels.

Machine washing shouldn't be a problem.

[Z71Sierra]

I machine wash all of my towels, they still got a buildup. A tip I got on another forum
You can try washing the towels with some APC (Simple Green, Purple Power) and some laundry detergent that is "Free" of dyes and perfumes . Also do a second rinse with 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar. And dry without any drier sheets.

I may try that, but I am still going to order some new towels.

Andrew if you think replacing 20 towels is bad, just think about the 200 or so that we have at the shop. The towels we get www.towelsbydrjoe.com that are $.95 each.

[Jokeman]

What type of wax are you using?

[bronx boy]

i get it with nano wax it just steaks i change towels i dont care what i do it just streaks /the best way to get rid of it is a spray on quick detailer like eagle one