gh0st

The 3M SMR didnt remove my swirl marks, IHG left haze, and the Mothers Natural Carnuba wax was a PITA to get off...I think that had something to do with the applicator I was using. It left lines when applying, they were really tough to get off. It easily took me 2 hours to take the wax off, this normal?? should I try a new applicator??
<img src="http://users.rcn.com/gh0st/wax1.jpg">
<img src="http://users.rcn.com/gh0st/wax2.jpg">

Seattle Scott

What applicator did you use?

Did you use the same applicator for all three products?

Did you buff the residue off before applying the next product?

Car was washed and clean?

Not working in direct sunlight?

Anything else you can think of you haven't told us?

I have used 3M SMR with a Porter Cable and it works great. I'd suspect you didn't rub it enough.

I've used 3MIHG by hand and with a Porter Cable, again no problems.

Wax sounds like it was on way too thick. Did your dried wax look more like the door panel or the door latch in the picture?

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12414/wax.jpg">

RKA

I've found it more difficult if IHG has had time to "set" on the paint, so I would do one area at a time, and immediately buff out.

gh0st

I didnt let the IHG sit at all, dropped the buffer and wiped it off

gh0st

I used an applicator that was a sponge wrapped in terrycloth(get pics later if you want) for wax, terry cloth bonnets for the el cheapo buffer, changing between products

went over the car with a microfiber towel after the SMR

washed the car twice with dawn at first and then again after the claybar

was in the garage

I wish I had a porter cable

Those pics are of the wax applied, I tried not to apply to thick but I figured if I couldnt see it, it was to thin. How much pressure do you apply when using the SMR??

201-A4

sounds like your were applying too much product.

RKA

Using buffing towels that are already clogged with product is also a bad idea. Turn the towels frequently to avoid issues. Use fresh towels to buff the wax (not towels you used with the IHG).

Odds are...whatever the problem was stemmed with the IHG. If you didn't completely remove the IHG, and just moved on to the wax, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that removing the wax was difficult as well. Right now I would concentrate on what went wrong with the IHG.

gh0st

I just used it on part of my hood and trunk...I saw it was leaving a haze so I just skipped it. I went through about 8 towels when I did all this too, so none were saturated with anything

RKA

It won't fill swirls like IHG, but it does a nice job cleaning the paint, and it's infinitely easier to work with compared to IHG. While you're there, pick up a can of P21S Carnauba Wax if you feel like trying something new.

I don't know what went wrong here...but I feel like you're walking down a dead end road. Try something else and see where that takes you.

Seattle Scott

IT sounds like you need a better machine and pads or may want to go back to hand application.

The applicator should work OK. I assume you cleaned it out or had three different ones.

When I did 3MIHG by hand I used lintless paper towels for application and cotton towels for buffing.

You want the wax as thin as possible. Getting it on think will not leave a think coat on the car but just create more work for you when you buff it off. At least that is my theory. That's the main reason I use the Porter Cable to apply wax, it goes on thin and very even. I let it completely dry before buffing off and the wax is so thin it comes off real easy.