Originally Posted By: 69GTX
Originally Posted By: ecotourist
One of my friends put paste wax on a new to him pale green Chevelle and left it sitting in the sun. I don't think he ever got that awful mottled white coating off (and I mean over a period of years). I don't know that it damaged the paint exactly, but it sure looked bad!
I must have done something similar when waxing my black 1993 Trans Am over 20 yrs ago. It developed a spotty, milky white film on the hood over time...almost like white mold or PVC. I figured it was from acid rain. It would not come off with cleanings and washing. I took it to the local Pontiac dealer for a look and the confirmed the acid rain damage....saying I need a new paint they could do for X $thousands of dollars....on a 2 yr old car! My next stop was at a local detailing shop not far from where I worked. They told me they thought they could fix it. Sure enough, that car come out looking brand new, the film entirely gone. It was from wax buildup/excessive wax applied. And each subsequent waxing only sealed it in further. So much for a new paint job.
Whatever he did, the result was far worse than a milky film, more like white blotches all over. I suspect he applied the wax and let it sit in the sun for quite a while.