Too Much Wax?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 824
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Too Much Wax?
I just bought my '13 IOM 427 Vert a couple weeks back, and the car is immaculate. No swirls, no scratches no paint contaminants. Last weekend I put her in a local show and shine. The car was clean for the most part, but I wiped her down with an instant detailer and followed that up with Adam's Brilliant Glaze for some extra pop. I have had excellent results with this combo and my '70 Stingray Vert. At the show, once the car was on display in full sun, I noticed the paint did not have the "pop" I expected. Once again no swirls, but almost like there was a slight haze in the clear. The individual I purchased the car from made comment that it had about 15 coats of wax on it when I asked him if it had been protected by any sort of clear bra or ceramic coating (did not have either). Could too much wax be causing this lack of deep shine/haze? Has anyone had the same issue with wax accumulation? I was thinking about washing the car this weekend a couple times with 1/2 dish detergent and 1/2 car soap to cut the wax build up and start from ground zero. Any products out there better than dish detergent for safely removing wax accumulation? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by GS982; May 22, 2018 at 03:01 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 201
Likes: 44
From: Roswell Georgia
Too much wax can cause a graying, or fogging on the clearcoat.. The combo you use on the 70 Vette may not get good results on a 13 Vette. Paint has changed alot, plus your 70 Vette might not even have clearcoat.. To take off all the wax use Dawn dishsoap then wash again with a mild car shampoo. Then claybar the paint. After that do an iso alcohol wipedown. All the wax should be off the paint after that.. I like to use Opti Coat sealant then top it with Opticoat spraywax. Believe it or not but Turtlewax makes great spray waxes with carnuba that do a great job at good prices. You don't have to use paste waxes or sealants anymore to get a great shine or make the paint "pop". There are a lot of spray sealants and waxes that are easy to use, save time and give you a great shine.........Are you sure your new 13 doesn't have a silica coating on it?...........
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 824
Likes: 369
From: Fort Worth Texas
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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Too much wax can cause a graying, or fogging on the clearcoat.. The combo you use on the 70 Vette may not get good results on a 13 Vette. Paint has changed alot, plus your 70 Vette might not even have clearcoat.. To take off all the wax use Dawn dishsoap then wash again with a mild car shampoo. Then claybar the paint. After that do an iso alcohol wipedown. All the wax should be off the paint after that.. I like to use Opti Coat sealant then top it with Opticoat spraywax. Believe it or not but Turtlewax makes great spray waxes with carnuba that do a great job at good prices. You don't have to use paste waxes or sealants anymore to get a great shine or make the paint "pop". There are a lot of spray sealants and waxes that are easy to use, save time and give you a great shine.........Are you sure your new 13 doesn't have a silica coating on it?...........
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 201
Likes: 44
From: Roswell Georgia
A ceramic or glass coating is made from silica. It adds a coat of glass over the clearcoat. It can last 2-7 years and adds some gloss and protection to the paint. Its not cheap to have it done by a detailer, but you can also do it yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,057
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From: Central Ohio
Its your color - Inferno Orange Metallic has almost a Peral top coat that affects the depth of the paint - I love the color but you do have the tinted top coat.
I would say the adams products should work fine for what you have - but you might want to go back to base one - strip the current wax and use all Adams products. I have seen compatibility issues over the years between brands. If you strip it down you know what you have - but you will always have that sheen on the car - you'll get used to it
I would say the adams products should work fine for what you have - but you might want to go back to base one - strip the current wax and use all Adams products. I have seen compatibility issues over the years between brands. If you strip it down you know what you have - but you will always have that sheen on the car - you'll get used to it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Kernersville NC
Inferno Orange is a beautiful color for sure. I don't think the wax is doing any harm either. I'm getting ready to wax my machine silver again after only about five washes. Wax/Polish is something a lot of folks think is not needed these days but I have a silver/gray car that actually shines. Great look car, buy the way.
Safety Car
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Sumter SC
As a detailer I mix some APC with shampoo in a foam cannon or some companies make a stripper shampoo that strips wax. Dawn will still work, I would try to find a specific shampoo first that strips wax.
I am an IGL installer and am starting to use IGL Multi, which is safe for your clearcoat and strips everything off. I would recommend a ceramic coating, you will not have to worry about wax again!
I am an IGL installer and am starting to use IGL Multi, which is safe for your clearcoat and strips everything off. I would recommend a ceramic coating, you will not have to worry about wax again!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
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I do a vinegar wash to strip it down to the clear coat, then clay and Rejex. 10+ years and 152K miles and never a bit of wax. If you look past the stone chips, it looks showroom new. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
Easy fix here, strip and start over with clay, paint correction polish, seal and wax. I would consider using one of the new ceramic products instead of a wax because of the ceramic's ability to collect much less dust. I have black cars and have personal experience with the dust issue. It sounds like your clear coat is in good condition which is a huge plus. Do it right the first time and enjoy the rewards of your efforts.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Adams makes a strip wash that will remove the wax and be gentle on your weatherstrip and rubber. I would use that before Dawn and just start over so you know what is on the paint.
CF Community Team
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From: Pittsburgh
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Adams makes some great car care products 
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
When I bought my vert, I used blue Dawn to strip the wax, clay barred the entire car, used 4 coats each of Zaino Z2 and Z5, sealed it, and won 7 car shows after I was done. Zaino is optically clear, last for six months at a time, has a UV protectant, and is designed specifically to layer to give the car a wet look that makes it look like you can reach into the paint.
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; May 23, 2018 at 09:17 PM.