I can't believe I was such an idiot, but I think I messed up my paint job. I recently bought a 2005 Element EX which I love. I've been very concerned with the plastic panels, and have been doing a lot of research on this site (a great site). Anyway, today I got brave, and tried to use the Turtle Wax Ice liquid polish on my car. I read the directions which stated to apply a thin coat, and let dry to a "haze", about 3-5 minutes. Well, I applied it to the roof first, and waited for the haze. Maybe I didn't understand what they meant by haze, but the polish appeared to stay completely wet, and never took on a hazy look. So, I proceeded to apply the polish to the rest of the car, which took about 10-15 minutes. I chickened out, and didn't do the plastic, only the metal parts. I then began wiping the polish from the roof, which still didn't appear hazy, or dry, but appeared to wipe off fine. The car looked very nice after I was done.

The problem came as I was sitting there, this evening admiring my car, and I noticed that as the dew came onto the roof of the car, I could clearly see where the ICE had been applied. Upon closer inspection, I could easily see where the original ICE had been applied. I wiped it off, but it continues to return with the condensation. I am not noticing this happening anywhere else, but it is now dark, and I don't have a garage.

Did I ruin the paint job, by leaving the ICE on too long? Is there anything I can do to remedy this situation? I'm hoping it's not noticable when it dries, but I'm very concerned. Somehow, I managed to do the very thing I was concerned about, only I did it to the metal, not the plastic. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

I don't think you need to worry Doug. How much ICE did you put on? You use very little of it, it goes a long way. If you over apply it, it just doesn't dry. It took me a little while to figure out how little to use. It works very well on the unpainted panels just don't over load it. Drew:)

Apply ICE in the sun! It takes forever to dry otherwise. If you over apply it will not dry, so go out tomorrow, let the E warm in the sun and rub the heck out of it (if it is clean).

I just clay barred and ICE'd my new/use 02 Chevy Silverado in Indigo Blue. Stealership detail idiots had white residue and micro scratches everywhere. About four hours later it looks great.

ICE goes a LONG way. I've done our two E's, a Ford F150 and the EX cab Chevy and still have three fourths of a bottle! Love it on the plastic.

Thanks guys, I really do appreciate the responses. I was hoping it was something like this. Although I was trying not to put too much on, it never really dried, and I wouldn't be surprised that when I wiped it, some of it was left on the metal. I was out a short while ago, looking at the car with a flashlight, and it seems a little better (although, I can still see areas with wax). When I wipe it with the rag, or my figure, the paint looks perfect. It makes sense that it just never really dried, and the fact that I did it so close to evening (when the temperature changed, and dew started to settle on the metal) kept it was ever really getting warm, and dry.

I'll check it, and buff it in the morning. I'll post back to let you know how it works out. Thanks again for the comments.

I forgot to mention that I tried Turtle Wax F21 "Super Protectant" with "Nano" technology:grin:, on the plastic. It actually looks great. I had been using Armour All, but after reading some negative posts here, I switched. I was looking for 303, but the local auto parts stores didn't have it. I settled for the TW, although it also contains "premium silicones", and probably isn't any better than the A-All. I do like how it looks though. I keep looking for one of the products mentioned in these forums.

Okay, i dont know how ppl polish because all of them polish differently and works out well on them.

I might be wrong, but when u apply ice polish, just keep wiping it on a circle motion...dont just apply and wait there to get dried, if u keep buffing it out it actually vanishes and the polish goes though...then whatever is left u just clean it out with a microfiber towel....i hope this helps!

wash it, clay bar it, then apply eagle one nano wax, Ive used it on (NBP):)

I appreciate the suggestions, and will try whatever works to get it back to normal. I was just out there (3a.m.), because it will drive me nuts until I get it back to normal. That said, it does look a lot better. I'm thinking it is just wet "Ice", but I will no better when it gets light, and the dew melts off. I'm pretty optimistic after reading these threads, and seeing the difference my last buff made. If drying and an additional buff don't work, I give the clay bar a try also. What does NBP stand for?

Thanks again!

It's normal. You applied it towards the end of the day and condensation was starting to form right? Nothing wrong at all. It just wouldn't shine up like you would expect it to if it was at around 2PM or something. You car will be fine. Done it many times, and it's actually kind of annoying to get that haze when you wipe off the wax.

As far as the plastic panels, I prefer Mothers Back to Black. Comes in a red bottle and I use one of those foam applicators to rub it on. It takes off any streaks or wax residue.

Well, my the time things dried out, the marks I mentioned in the first post appeared to be gone. I did wipe it before bed last night, so I guess that got most of it off. I let it dried out, and even though I couldn't see any of the marks, I wiped it off again. Next time I'll do it earlier, and make sure it's dried.

I appreciate all of the help, and maintenance tips.