Best process to apply Infinity 4.1 wipe on?

[Old Blue 66]

I use a lint free blue paper towel that I fold several times to the width of two fingers. I wipe on quickly with each overlapping pass.

Heres the question, Im getting mixed results with the final coating and sometimes Im getting streaks. Am I wiping it on to hard or too fast? How much pressure are you guys using?

[candyman]

Too hard and may not have enough solution on the towel. If its dry it will streak. Also I've discovered the heat, 90 plus temp, will dry it quickly if you didnt apply enough solution. It will appear that you missed a spot. Wait a few minutes because Iam seeing a slight haze at times, even in the shade, but it clears up. If you did miss a spot after a few minutes, go back over the missed spot with a well soaked shop towel or whatever you are using as an applicator.

[candyman]

Also if you dont have the solution mixed correctly it can cause a streak. With the Chem, I simply use the clear and it pulles the streaks out. With the infiniti 4..1, use the milky solution to draw the streak out. The 4.1 will level out sometimes as it dries and most of those streaks disappear on its own. Iam still learning with the 4.1 and experimenting with this high temp. It will be above 100 the next few days here.

[Old Blue 66]

Exactly why Im posting about this. Ive noticed a change in how the 4.1 reacts when applied in this heat. Its in the steady 90's now and while Im sure the 4.1 will stil do its thing, I need to change my method of application.

When there are runs or the 4.1 is white right after you apply, will that clear up?

[ray6]

We use foam wedges to apply most of our coatings. They're similar to women's makeup foam, except latex free. This is important for some solvent based coatings, but wouldn't matter with water based. You can find these in most drug stores.The wedges waste less material than paper towels and I believe apply a more consistent coat.

Our technique is a little different also. The first step is to get the headlight covered with sufficient material, without regard to carefully applying with overlapping wipes.

Once the headlight is coated, we use a cross-wipe, first horizontally then vertically. In high heat situations, this must be done quickly, within 1-2 minutes. Cross-wiping reduces streaks and lowers the possibility of missing a spot. The wedge, when held correctly, is self regulating and tends to apply a more even coat. We usually apply 2 coats of water based because it's not as thick as our solvent based.
ray6

[ray6]

You can see pictures how the wedge is used in this post:

Re: Headlight repair tips and results.

by ray6 » 14 Jun 2012 10:16

[Old Blue 66]

I trid those wedges on a junk headlight. Not sure how I fell about them yet. Thanks Ray.

Yesterday I doubled up on the towel and made it super thick and hard to bend. My results were better that what i was doing previously

[Old Blue 66]

We use foam wedges to apply most of our coatings. They're similar to women's makeup foam, except latex free. This is important for some solvent based coatings, but wouldn't matter with water based. You can find these in most drug stores.The wedges waste less material than paper towels and I believe apply a more consistent coat.

Our technique is a little different also. The first step is to get the headlight covered with sufficient material, without regard to carefully applying with overlapping wipes.

Once the headlight is coated, we use a cross-wipe, first horizontally then vertically. In high heat situations, this must be done quickly, within 1-2 minutes. Cross-wiping reduces streaks and lowers the possibility of missing a spot. The wedge, when held correctly, is self regulating and tends to apply a more even coat. We usually apply 2 coats of water based because it's not as thick as our solvent based.
ray6

Elaborate please?

[candyman]

ray6! are you the one using the small paper cup for your solution. I use a shot glass with a measure mark on it. Problem with the shot glass. It must be cleaned as soon as you finish or the Chem UV will build on the sides and is very sticky. No problem with the 4.1 Infiniti. I also use washed plastic fruit cups. My mom buys mixed fruit and apple sauce and the little cups are perfec for mixing. I simply throw them away after use. This requires no additional expense. I used The chem base on Thursday due to the extreme heat and it worked fine. I used the 4.1 on Wed and one lens on the mercedes had a small streak. the problem. The heat was drying the lens quickly and I thought I had missed a spot. I made sure the towel was soaked, and touched up the spot. I checked this vehicle on friday and I saw no streak on the lens. On wed the humidity was in the 40's. Thursday the humidity was in the 70's and above 100 degrees. Iam keeping both products in my kit.

[ray6]

ray6! are you the one using the small paper cup for your solution. I use a shot glass with a measure mark on it. Problem with the shot glass. It must be cleaned as soon as you finish or the Chem UV will build on the sides and is very sticky. No problem with the 4.1 Infiniti. I also use washed plastic fruit cups. My mom buys mixed fruit and apple sauce and the little cups are perfec for mixing. I simply throw them away after use. This requires no additional expense. I used The chem base on Thursday due to the extreme heat and it worked fine. I used the 4.1 on Wed and one lens on the mercedes had a small streak. the problem. The heat was drying the lens quickly and I thought I had missed a spot. I made sure the towel was soaked, and touched up the spot. I checked this vehicle on friday and I saw no streak on the lens. On wed the humidity was in the 40's. Thursday the humidity was in the 70's and above 100 degrees. Iam keeping both products in my kit.

We used to use wax free paper cups (old photo) but now use HDPE cups with graduations to help with mixing 2k coatings. Throw away when done. We also use disposable pipettes to transfer coating from bottle to cup. Keeps coating off bottle threads so the lid doesn't sieze.

We use a chart that indicates how much solution to transfer to cup based on headlight size. Saves solution.

All our tests and procedures are based on what we term as our standard headlight, 1996 Ford Taurus. For example, this headlight requires 3 ml Infinity and .75 ml. hardener for 2 coats.

You might try this in hot weather using foam applicators:

Apply coating quickly and heavily. Don't worry about overlapping or streaks, just get it on. Once coating is on headlight, wipe horizontally, then vertically.

We never used the towel application method, but I wonder if it might lead to too thin a coating. This might dry too quickly to cross wipe.
ray6