Problems with CQ UK Application, advice now needed.

[Mark]

Firstly, it's not me this happened to, but a recent acquaintance of mine, who lives north of me in Clovis NM. His name is Danny, and possible he might be along at a future point here to also ask for help and advice. (And can add to what I'll write)

Sounds like he went about polishing OK, Flex DA, White Pads, and assume WG Polishes like TSR, and then the prerequisite prep wipedowns with CP Eraser prior to Coating.

The vehicle is a fairly new (2015 I believe) Subaru, the sporty one.

Not sure, but sounds to me from his coorespondence that he states he waited 5 minute's time before wiping, and to me, sounds like he didn't wipe with an MF Towel, but yet another MF Suede Piece of Towel, and not sure what size?

He states that the whole passenger side looks streaky, and hazy. I gather now, there's nothing short of polishing again that will rectify these issues.

Weather according to him didn't exactly sound optimal to me, temps perhaps in the 60's, but did mention fogginess in the area, and would assume this would also point to quite high humidity conditions. That maybe both the temps and humidity combined were not favorable for application?

Probably the two most important questions to now ask, "How long must one wait before again coming behind with a polish"? He asked what polish to then use, touched upon perhaps using WG Finishing Glaze, which is probably about the equivalent Menzerna SF-4000. I'm thinking it might just be too mild to effectively remove any hazing, or streaking in the coating?

Since it is now available, and I said that if I found myself in his shoes at present, I'd probably be seriously considering CP Essence as a product to correct any issues with the coating, and then re-apply properly, and when weather conditions permit.

Thanks folks for any help you can give and advise.

 

[Mark]

To add, I'll also say some other things:

Firstly, I don't see myself as some "CQuartz Expert", having only used the product once, but I'll also say in my personal experiences with CQ UK, I got flawless results, Perhaps reasons why are because I tried following Corey's Application Methods to a T. And not veering from a more orthodox application method.

My thoughts of not getting the proper results in this specific application could be, 1. Non-favorable weather conditions to apply. 2. Improper prep perhaps where a pre-existing protectant interfered with the proper application of the coating. And 3., waiting too long, and not perhaps being effective with whatever final wiping towels were used?

That I know I have read of others doing the final wipe down with Carpro MF Suede, and I believe I have read of some that have done this. Perhaps with the appropriate sized MF Suede (16"x16") it is doable. (I myself used Orange CP Boas, and in truth my application went on so flawlessly, like I just poured a coat of perfectly smooth glass onto the paint, it didn't even look like I had to touch it after, but did, to follow proper directions of application)

The wait time: I did one panel at a time when I applied to my Tahoe. I waited like Corey instructed, about a minute's time, then wiped and smoothed-leveled. I also noted no issues when overlapping, such as when I first did one 1/2 of my hood, then walked around to do the other half, as I over-lapped with application, and wiping, no issues were noted at all. That while I wasn't dilly dallying with the product application and final wipe, I neither felt a need to be working of the speed of Data the Android on Star Trek.

I believe we probably both used similar polishing products and techniques, only difference I'm aware of, were the tools used, as I used a PC7424XP to Polish, not the Flex 3401. I did two wipes after with CP Eraser, and a couple of MF towels. I took my time to insure full wipe down with Eraser, but I'm sure too that I didn't go to NASA Clean Room anal obsession to prep either.

Again, at this point, and if it was me in this particular situation, I think I'd be seriously considering to go no further, until a small bottle of Carpro Essence was in hand, then continue on again with polishing prep, eliminate any issues,and go straight to the Coating.
Mark

 

[Mark]

Hope my queries didn't overload people's brains here, noted zero responses, and at times it makes me feel like I'm a Leper, and don't belong or fit here? Have I offended some here to not earn a response?

The person in question I spoke of appears to have gotten out from under, and just might have final success gladly with the UK application. I've tried all I can to help him, I did explain I'd help my best to walk him through when it came time to apply. He caught me off guard, made no mention about getting ready to apply CQ UK.

He's a young man, Military, USAF, stationed at Cannon AFB.

 

[Cooter]

Mark, it sounds like he wiped the UK off a little late and what was removed was just a little that hadnt dried?

 

[Corey]

Hope my queries didn't overload people's brains here, noted zero responses, and at times it makes me feel like I'm a Leper, and don't belong or fit here? Have I offended some here to not earn a response?

The person in question I spoke of appears to have gotten out from under, and just might have final success gladly with the UK application. I've tried all I can to help him, I did explain I'd help my best to walk him through when it came time to apply. He caught me off guard, made no mention about getting ready to apply CQ UK.

He's a young man, Military, USAF, stationed at Cannon AFB.

Hi Mark, this was the first time I saw your thread or questions. I suspect you may have overloaded people with many questions, not enough variables answered, and a third person situation where they didn't think they could help solve the problem. My advice would be to have the guys with the problem applying give me a call and I can walk him through it.

Looking back at your questions they seem more like you aren't sure what info he gave either so its hard to want to answer hypothetical not sure questions for most guys.

After it is hardened and cured, yes he will need to give a it a light polish and then reapply after Eraser. If only one side is bad then the answer to what went wrong should be able to be answered by him and what he did differently.

Did you provide him the following info?

Go easy at first… Check one panel after your done and take some time to check it in other lighting (great daylight type lighting) before completing the vehicle. If in doubt call and ask BEFORE you finish the car.

Here are some tips.

#1.- Apply to the surface one section and then wipe it off before it becomes sticky.

#2 - Wiping with only the Suede towels can leave high spots. Be sure to completely wipe off the residue. It should NOT be difficult to wipe so do not press hard BUT you do want to go over it enough times to completely remove residue. This requires going over it a couple times before moving to the next section or panel. Use the CarPro Boa towel as your follow towel behind suede.

#3 - High spots reveal themselves best in great ambient lighting (daylight but not direct sun)

#4. - Be sure to switch out the 4” Suedes after every other panel - 10-15 minutes of using the same suede is ok in cooler weather but decrease that in hot weather.

With UK the key is to wipe off after each section before it gets at all sticky. Then follow with a boa towel after the suede to be sure to remove all excess product. Also be sure to switch out your 4” suedes after every 2 panels at most.

If holograms then this is a sign you are not wiping it off soon enough. It should be wiped off before it feels sticky. Dont let it sit too long. In hot temps could be less than a minute, cold temps could be 5 minutes, must test on first section to see.

If high spots” dark streaks, etc then you need to wipe it off more thoroughly. Great ambient lighting is key during application and removal.

 

[Mark]

Hello All,
Thanks for the responses. And I'm sorry for my seeming "state of panic" my end, because I was trying hard to help this person resolve any issues very quickly. It seems weather here, and good conditions for applying such products are deteriorating by the day. In fact snowing here yesterday and today right now as I type, up in the mountains.

I couldn't give greater detail initially, as I myself was unsure what he'd done wrong, and after a run-down with him, it's apparent he tried coating an entire side of the vehicle, instead of working one panel at a time. That too much time passed from UK application, to the finishing and finessing wipe.

He stated that a very light polish with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze (Actually a Polish) cured the haziness very quickly, and all looks good he states for re-application of CQ UK on that side of the vehicle.

Again, sorry for my evident panic. It was myself that highly influenced him to try CQuartz, and surely felt like I was in a corner there for a bit with his dilemma, and less than stellar results. I think he'll be OK now.

I've tried sharing all I know from you folks, and as well my experiences. I had explained I'd help walk him through all the proper basics when the time came, but he caught me off guard.

Thanks all again. If I can comment more with his final results, and his comments, I'll add some more.