Help with Collinite 915!

[RX-78]

Started my first attempt at detailing yesterday - snow foamed, washed, clayed, glazed and waxed.

I read some good things about 915s (seems to be a decent trade off between price, shine and durability) so I bought a tub. Its my first time using paste wax, feels completely different from liq wax. I've used dump cloth to spread the wax, let it dry off and then buffing it off (all by hand). Trouble is, the wax seems to be difficult to buff off and having to use quite a bit of elbow grease to smooth out the surface. Also I'm getting some white powdery stuff (I think its small particles of wax?) as I buff the wax off. And whilst the shine looks decent, the surface feels less slipperly then when I was using liq turtle wax.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[IK.]

Have you been applying it in the sun?

 

[RX-78]

It was in the sun to begin with but took it into shade as it was drying very quickly. Still get the same prob though :?

 

[pvr]

Sounds like you put on too much as well.

 

[Anonymous]

I find most paste wax's do this, I use a (dry) foam applicator and do one panel at a time, except the bonnet which i do half of at a time, try not to leave it to dry to long and use it very sparingly, with Paste wax I find less is more, only apply it when the body work is cool to the touch. But like i said the biggest thing is use it sparingly a little bit goes a long way, Buff off with a clean dry microfibre cloth alternating this so you are using a different bit on each panel, you will always get the flakey excess it's almost unavoidable. Once its all done i give it an hour to cure before going over it all with a clean microfibre cloth for the final buff. Works for me. it's all about experimenting with it till you get it the way you like it.
More elbow grease is needed with a paste wax but IMO it is worth it.

 

[pvr]

... or a Porter Cable 8)

 

[srhutch]

As PVR says sounds like your putting to much on, and also you can't be a PC or similar, wouldnt be without mine now.

 

[sideshowbob]

You dont really need that much elbow grease, its all in the technique. Apply VERY sparingly with a quite damp microfiber or foam pad (the wetter it is, the easier it will glide over the paintwork, and the easier it will be to get a very thin coat). I prefer foam pads (i use a sonus 4" SFX-3 spot pad. Its easier to judge how much pressure you are applying). You dont have to use much pressure, the pad should almost glide over the paintwork, if the pad starts to deform then you are using too much pressure. You dont have to rub the wax in - Its a wax not a polish remember. When you have applied a coat of wax it should look like a very thin film, Amost like its not there at all. Infact when it cures you should almost not be able to see where wax has been applied- thats how thin you must apply it. DONT leave it for too long to cure before buffing off. If you have followed these instructions when you buff off it should be almost effortless. Do at least a couple of coats like this. with practice you will be able to apply a coat in less than 5 minutes.
You dont need a DA polisher unless you are doing paint correction. You have much less "feel" over the process using a machine.

 

[sideshowbob]

Infact just found a photo of a car i detailed using collinite 915 for final stage.

 

[RX-78]

Wow thats a srunning pic Is that yours or do you detail as professional? Not a single swirl mark is good going

Just done the front bumper as per your advice and it was much easier to do (though I ended up cursing when I had to throw away a clay bar as I dropped it doing tricky bits). Still hard work with little reward - I'm sure wax was made to upset the car owners by showing all the imperfection we never knew we had!

 

[GAZA62]

Collonite waxes are not the easiest to remove and they can dust they remind me of AG SRP but they give good results and are very durable my favorite is 845 never used 915 i tend to do say a whole wing and as soon as i have finished i will start buffing off more so in the warm weather

 

[Rolf-Dieter]

Started my first attempt at detailing yesterday - snow foamed, washed, clayed, glazed and waxed.

I read some good things about 915s (seems to be a decent trade off between price, shine and durability) so I bought a tub. Its my first time using paste wax, feels completely different from liq wax. I've used dump cloth to spread the wax, let it dry off and then buffing it off (all by hand). Trouble is, the wax seems to be difficult to buff off and having to use quite a bit of elbow grease to smooth out the surface. Also I'm getting some white powdery stuff (I think its small particles of wax?) as I buff the wax off. And whilst the shine looks decent, the surface feels less slipperly then when I was using liq turtle wax.

Am I doing something wrong?

I use the Zaino products over here and am happy with the results. The site below has some good instructions as tho how to apply etc. Check if your product has a web site and instructions or tips at the very least follow the instructions on the product (I know often instructions are written by idiots still read between the lines if you get my meaning). Good luck

http://www.zainostore.com/

 

[sideshowbob]

Wow thats a srunning pic Is that yours or do you detail as professional? Not a single swirl mark is good going

Just done the front bumper as per your advice and it was much easier to do (though I ended up cursing when I had to throw away a clay bar as I dropped it doing tricky bits). Still hard work with little reward - I'm sure wax was made to upset the car owners by showing all the imperfection we never knew we had!

Thanks, the car belongs to a friend. Its part of his "trackday" collection. When i started the car was in a shocking state. It was a faded pink colour and was covered in swirls and rds. It took me a week in total and involved removing wheels, lights, etc etc. I just detail for friends. Im not a professional, but was professionally trained about 15 years ago now.
Keep at it re the waxing. Its just practice, and if you persist it will become easy. The real results come from the preperation of the paint, the cleansing and polishing. If paintwork isnt properly prepared then waxing wont really add anything.
I always cut my claybars up into much smaller pieces. that way if i drop one its no big deal as i have lots left. Keep up the good work

 

[RX-78]

Gaza62

You can say that again! Its been a better workout then going to the gym. May be I should wax cars every week end I've read 845 are still their best selling product - they say customers like the good balance between ease of use and decent durability. I'm glad I didn't go for 475 which even collinite admit is harder to apply then 915

Rolf-Dieter

There some good info on Zino site. I dont use Zino (?not popular in uk) but I'm sure the logic applies to any other product.

Sideshoebob

Thats some track day collection! Good to see pics of well presented detailed car - its makes me want to try a bit harder (despite aches everywhere). I noticed your si and you are right :lol: I think getting into detailing is fastest way of getting to OCD! I'm starting to wonder if I should clay our home window or get a polisher and use cutting pad to sort out the rusting steel joist on back of the house