Removing wax/polish from Matt Paintwork
Removing wax/polish from Matt Paintwork
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Discussion

spdpug98

Original Poster:

1,551 posts

243 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Bit of a strange one, I have just bought a new mountain bike (as picture) which is finished in Matt Black. As I am riding it in this cr@p weather with mud everywhere I thought I would protect it and give it a good wax with my Autoglym

The problem I now have is that it has a white haze, even if I wash it I can't get rid of it - do any of you have any suggestions of how to get rid of it without damaging the paint & what can I put on the frame to protect it


PJ S

10,842 posts

248 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Strong detergent - Bilt Hamber Surfex HD, or try "Fairy" liquid and rinse well.

spdpug98

Original Poster:

1,551 posts

243 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Thanks, will give the washing up liquid a try

matt will

58 posts

182 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Swissvax opaque wax will protect it without making it shiny. Example here http://www.mercurydetailing.com/?page_id=111

You need to be careful as anything else will effect the matt finish.

You can get a 50ml discovery pot

PigFilth

3,636 posts

222 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Detailing clay is meant to remove wax etc.

PJ S

10,842 posts

248 months

Friday 25th February 2011
quotequote all
PigFilth said:
Detailing clay is meant to remove wax etc.
Not really - clay rides on the lube, which will sit on the wax, and any sharp bits of contaminants will be grabbed by the clay as it passes over.
Lack of lube may lift the wax, but it'll cause marring which needs a light abrasive to remove.

As I said, strong detergent, and if matt paint isn't as smooth as regular paint, then just like exterior plastic trim, a soft toothbrush may be needed too.

matt will

58 posts

182 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Opaque pre wax cleaner will remove oily and wax residues on the matt finish

PigFilth

3,636 posts

222 months

Saturday 26th February 2011
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PJ S said:
PigFilth said:
Detailing clay is meant to remove wax etc.
Not really - clay rides on the lube, which will sit on the wax, and any sharp bits of contaminants will be grabbed by the clay as it passes over.
Lack of lube may lift the wax, but it'll cause marring which needs a light abrasive to remove.

As I said, strong detergent, and if matt paint isn't as smooth as regular paint, then just like exterior plastic trim, a soft toothbrush may be needed too.
Oh right: http://www.meguiars.com/faq/index.cfm?faqCat=Auto%...

PJ S

10,842 posts

248 months

Saturday 26th February 2011
quotequote all
PigFilth said:
rofl
No vested interest there then - wax used up sooner means repurchase.
And then there's the simple matter that I couldn't possibly know, seeing as I do it often enough.
And that's with a more aggressive clay than the typically bought Meg's one, which can struggle to pull the skin off rice pudding!

If you want to test the claim above, and mine, strip a panel so it squeaks when you drag your finger over it.
Put your wax on it, buff off when cured, leave it a day or two, then take your Meg's clay to the same area.
Run your finger over it as before - when the QD is washed and rinsed away - I'll lay very good odds on there being no squeaking noise heard.
Ergo wax is still intact and in place.
Of course, you'll want to wax a larger section than what you'll clay, as this will be your reference.
If it squeaks too, the shampoo used has taken the wax off, not the clay.

Anyway, the OP has a number of options to avail of, so the issue should be resolved one way or another.

Edited by PJ S on Saturday 26th February 16:41

spdpug98

Original Poster:

1,551 posts

243 months

Saturday 26th February 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for all the feedback, I went with the washing up liquid and the bike now looks 100 times better.....thanks thumbup

Spudler

3,985 posts

217 months

Saturday 26th February 2011
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I use a diluted dishwasher powder/liquid for keeping my matt black motorbike clean.
Very effective.