So I applied two pretty thick coats of Griot's carnuba wax to my car using their random orbital. Wow, was this stuff hard to get off!

I had to work it four hours. And even then it seemed to leave a little bit of a haze. I tried taking it off with the random orbital using special wax removal bonnets, but that wouldn't help either.

In the end, I just used microfiber towels and some spray on wax for the hardest parts.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

Is it a paste or liquid wax? If it's a paste, apply by hand. For me, I only apply sealants with the random orbital polisher. When I apply Zymol, I use an applicator pad. Also, are you letting the wax sit on the paint for a period of time, or are you doing one section at a time? For Zymol, I do one panel at a time and its pretty easy to apply and buff off. Hope this helps.

 

The Griots carnuba is liquid. So I just apply it to the orbital pad and then work the wax into the paint using the orbital.

I let it sit for hours before I tried to to take it off.

 

I think that we can start with the "two pretty thick coats" usually if they are "too thick" it takes much longer to dry and at times very hard to remove.

A bit of a common misconception out there is the that you can just keep waxing a surface and the wax will just keep stacking up. We have found that after about two coats, you are at about the limit as to the amount of wax that will stay on the surface. We observed this under the microscope. When trying to "stack" too much on the surface, we found that the polishing cloth takes all but about two layers off the surface.

 

^^^ Agreed that thinner coats work much better

 

Typically when it's hard to come off means you've put it on to heavy.

You only need a very small finite amount, just enough to be barely visible and that's about right.

Less is more believe it or not.

Josh

 

Yea, you used way to much, & let it sit to long.

Use about 3 small pea size dots per panel. Let it sit for about 5min, then remove with a MF towel.

You will have no issues.

 

Apply wax in thin coats over a few applications. Ideally, you would wax a car over a three week period waiting a week before applying the next coat. It seems you got the situation under control.

 

Are you applying in the sun? This can make it extremely difficult to buff out.


John

 

I have to admit . . . I like most of Griot's products but found their wax REALLY hard to remove. Switched to Swissvax, but there are lots of good alternatives. Very easy to remove with microfibre.

 

you also mentioned you worked it into the paint, that's not necessary use the machine to apply a nice thin coat then remove it by hand. what I find when you try to use the machine to remove it, is the bonnets get overloaded and its just a mess.

 

as has been stated, applying a thin coat is key. There is only so much that can touch the paint, anything else will simply go to waste. A wax does not need to be worked in, simply wiped on enough to touch the paint, that's it.

 

Been there, done that with the Griot's BOS. If you still intend to use it going forward, you can take some Speed Shine on a microfiber and remove the areas that won't rub off. As said above, thinner is better - especially with this wax. It's almost an orbital on - orbital off wax. On with a pad, off with a bonnet. There are indeed easier ways.

 

It seems like the answer has been supplies: too much product.

I apply several thin coats of wax (by hand or applicator pad).

,Dan

 

Getting carnuba off!
I learned this a year ago.....Use the Speed Shine on a MF towel and it melts like a hot knife on butter!

I do this everytime and it is flawless!

Infact I use the Speed Shine to remove all products, Polish, Sealer, Carnuba Stick and Best of Show!

And on Black paint it really makes all the difference.

99C2