Wax Stripping

[dolebludger]

Various forms of dirt and environmental polutants can build up in the wax on a car. Of course, stripping off the wax and taking the car back to clear coat would be a solution. I know that "Dawn hand dishwashing soap" will strip wax off quickly and easily (from my own experience on wheels). What I'm not sure of ---- is this safe for the clear coat itself? If so, I can't imagine anything being quicker or easier. If not, what kind of washing soap or other product would safely strip the wax and not damage the clear coat?

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[Sokoloff]

Bug and Tar remover.

Len

[dolebludger]

Well, yes, but the bug and tar remover I have is a petroleum product that leaves whatever finish to which it is applied just a bit oily, which is another issue to contend with. IF the Dawn is harmful to clearcoat, which is still a question of mine, I was hoping for a suggestion for another detergent with wax-stripping capabilities that's clearcoat safe.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[bill streep]

Since you are going to the trouble to go all the way to your clear coat, why not refurb your clearcoat at the same time. Try
http://www.meguiars.com/rx/rx_main.asp and they will tell you, based on your input, what to do. Just be sure and not take them up on their offers for junk email.

[dolebludger]

Bill:

First, Merry Christmas to you and all MBCA members.

I'll check out the site, as soon as the hustle and bustle is over! It was kind of my idea to "renew" any parts of the clear coat that need it, in the process.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but as all my cars bought new and are regularly waxed from day one, those kinds of gritty environmental particles claybar removes, and all the imbedded dirt that abrasive cleaner removes are "sitting on" the wax, and not on the clearcoat. So, if we can easily remove the wax with some sort of wash, we also smooth down and clear up the finish, to start anew with polishes and whatever.

Again, Merry Christmas
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

If you are having to strip wax from the little knucks and crannies on your clear-coat you are applying too much of what ever type you are using. In the future go easy.
Clay it and continue claying until the clay surface is clear; then apply a new coat of sealer.
I like Meq.'s #26, a liquid and leaves clear coat as reflective as most. Using a liquid vs paste you can eliminate the build up.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

[dolebludger]

D.L.

Iv'e discovered that differednt waxes/polishes are best for different colors. Your Meguires # 26 is the best thing on my dark metalic green pickup. But I still like Turtle Wax Ultra Gloss liquid on the Bordeaux red MB. Claybar works fine. Just seemed that when I used "Dawn" on my wheels that it took off all the old wax and all the contaminants too in one quick application. Just got me to wondering the same thing about the car body.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dolebludger;
Never never use dishwashing deteregents.
Yes they clean but they also remove the oils that is in the paint(even water based)
Nitey nite.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don:p :p :p

[Jordan_3202000]

Back when I lived in California, I had a neighbor who regularly washed her 300SDL with dishwashing detergent. It was not a pretty sight...

[dolebludger]

OK, now I understand that home dishwashing detergent is not the right choice to remove old wax from my car or wheels, as It will also damage the paint.

I went to the Meguires site bill streep suggested, but couldn't find any recommendations on a wash that would remove wax but not damage paint.

So my question remains. What can I use in the way of a wash to remove old wax and NOT damage my paint?

You see, I live in what is probably one of the dustiest areas of the US ----- Okla. City. After a time here, the dust DOES seem to infiltrate the wax coat and cause a bit of dulling. My wheels were looking dull, in spite of repeated washing and waxing. I did use "Dawn" on them (just once, and the last time, I assure you). The old wax was stripped off, and the wheels looked so much brighter! I'd like to find sort of wax-stripping wash that woul;d do the same thing, without the paint damage that "Dawn" can do.

Help!!!

Thanks,
Richard:confused:

[Tom Hanson]

Get a "Clay" kit. Or go to a body shop supply store and get the proper chemical.

[dolebludger]

Tom:

Have a claybar kit, and use it regularly on those little "rough and scratchy" particles that get on the surface. But it doesn't seem to work when the wax just gets to looking "dingy" but is not rough. So, what is the proper chemical?

Thanks,
Richard

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Richard;
I was borne and raised in New Mexico a dustier area you'll never find.
I used Meq's # 7 back then.
The only place you could buy it was at a Buick Auto Agency.
Buick had it marketted with thier part number.
I had no dust infiltration problem if I didn't over do it and let it dry before hand buffing; in that eay you could see what was remaining.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

[dolebludger]

D.L.:

What is Meguire's #7? Is it a cleaner, wax, polish, or what?

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dolebludger;
I think #7 was the forerunner of #26.
Wasn't it yellow and smells sweet?
If yes then I think I'm right it's a polishe as it too has no abrasives. I used a cotton glove on my hand and an old rag to use #26 under the hood and around the door jams.
If you need to clean start rough and finish with clay.
When all else fails read the LABEL!
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don:p :p :p

[Grey Ghost]

Meguiars makes a car wash solution which I put through my pressure washer (the suds only come out at the lowest setting). I would think they would make a carwash solution that will strip off the wax coat.

Sometimes I feel that we get a bit ridiculous about babying our cars. Dishwashing detergent is safe enough for your hands but it's too harsh for your car's finish?? People poo-poo my use of a pressure washer as too risky, but when I'm driving 70 mph into a 15 mph headwind in the rain, my baby is being blasted at 85 mph with whatever the car or truck in front of me is kicking up.

If I were exhibiting G.G. at "Concours" events, I'd feel differently (and I'd probably trailer her everywhere in an enclosed box).

As you can see from a post in the 123 forum, I've put 20,000 miles on the Ghost in the last six months. She's very much a DAILY driver, not to be babied in bad weather. She does live in a heated garage, which is probably the most important aspect of keeping a car's appearance up.

Richard, I admire your ambition. You should post a picture of yerself and your four-wheeled friends when they're all shiny & clean.

[D.L. SWINFORD]

G.G. Skip II;
you are right about driving at a speed into a driven rain that is equal to or greater than your pressure washers output selected.
The solution I've used in such a condition is to drive in reverse in that way the pressure is negated and you don't need to be concerned about blasting away at the sealed areas.
An added benefit is that the mechanical driven odometer removes miles from your JOY.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast Don,:p :p :p

[Grey Ghost]

you are by far the funniest poster on the MBCA Forum! your sense of humor meshes with mine completely. Your spelling could use some work, but we all know what you're saying-

may God bless & keep you & Joanie in 2005 (and beyond)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

G.G.;
My spelwing is rite owt uv da dictuwary; so wach outa u face boy.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don,:p :p :p

Chairman and Originator of The 123 Character Club.(I think)

p.s.; as always, you are truely number I

[LexGuy]

Richard is certainly correct.

[dolebludger]

LexGuy:

About what am I correct? In this thread, I have asked what kind of wash or chemical I can use to safely strip wax from my car. I have been advised what NOT to do, and I am heeding that advice. But nobody has yet advised what I CAN do to accomplish this. How can I be correct when I'm still confused?

Thanks,
Richard:confused:

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dolebludger;
you're right even though your confused.
use the "Dawn"; dilute as when used for dishes, not full strength.
The worst it would do is remove the excessive amount of wax.
Try it in a secret place that only you and you know who knows.
Before I became educated and much more of the smarts; I used dishwashing liquid stuff, blew off with my old B/D leaf blower being careful not to let the nozzle rub the paint as I did the first time I tried blowing off and inbetween waxing sprayed with Lemon Pledge and buffed with old towels.
Now that I use the Fancy Schmanze stuff my '85 with original finish doesn't look any better than my'87 124 did. The secret is no circular hand motion when prepping only in line fron to rear.
I have the consummers test for all poliches/waxes and I'll dig it out for your info.
You and others who throw bucks into the wind for the high price spread will be in for a shock.
I posted this some months ago.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don, Chairman of the Board:p :p :p

[dolebludger]

D.L.:

You are right! I wish I had been more specific when I started this thread. I'll try now. About a month ago, I tried Dawn MIXED WITH WATER, just like one would use for dishes, to clean my wheels, not only on the C 320 but on the Honda S 2000 as well. The reason I tried this was because of my never-ending problem of brake dust on the front wheels of the C 320. I had waxed them to make dust removal easier, but then the wax coating began to look dingy. Commercially available wheel cleaners I had in the garage didn't do much about this. After using the Dawn SOLUTION, all wheels were bright and shiny.

So my original question pertained only to use of Dawn SOLUTION on the wheels.

Thanks,
Richard:) :confused: :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dole----Richard;
I really don't want to start this subject again for it really brings Boogy Bears out of the woods.
In 20 yrs I have never waxed my wells, I don't have a brake dust problem, I wash my wheels with my carwash solution,
I have Kleen Wheels on all four, my wheels look good, not new but good for 20 yrs.
This is all I can say; it has always worked for me and have had no brake problems resulting from Kleen Wheels.
Shuffle though all of the conclusions and make your own decision.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don, Chairman of the Board.:p :p :p