Something Im doing is causing scratches
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TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
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From: Noblesville Indiana
Something Im doing is causing scratches It seems every time I wash my car I get more swirls and scratches, I dont really know what is causing it so I will go through the steps I take to wash my car
1, Hose down the car with water, then fill up a bucket with Meguairs (sp?) carwash soap
2, use a sponge (kind of an old one) and scrub it clean
3, rinse the soap off and dry with a leaf blower
4, apply wax, (the stuff im using right now is the Dupont teflon spray wax) with a cotton cloth
5, when wax is ready to wipe off I use microfiber towels
And that is what I do when I normally wash my car, it seems that every time I wash it more and more swirling and scratches appear all over my paint.
Is there any problems you see with the steps above?
1, Hose down the car with water, then fill up a bucket with Meguairs (sp?) carwash soap
2, use a sponge (kind of an old one) and scrub it clean
3, rinse the soap off and dry with a leaf blower
4, apply wax, (the stuff im using right now is the Dupont teflon spray wax) with a cotton cloth
5, when wax is ready to wipe off I use microfiber towels
And that is what I do when I normally wash my car, it seems that every time I wash it more and more swirling and scratches appear all over my paint.
Is there any problems you see with the steps above?
Originally Posted by oifish
It seems every time I wash my car I get more swirls and scratches, I dont really know what is causing it so I will go through the steps I take to wash my car
1, Hose down the car with water, then fill up a bucket with Meguairs (sp?) carwash soap
2, use a sponge (kind of an old one) and scrub it clean
3, rinse the soap off and dry with a leaf blower
4, apply wax, (the stuff im using right now is the Dupont teflon spray wax) with a cotton cloth
5, when wax is ready to wipe off I use microfiber towels
And that is what I do when I normally wash my car, it seems that every time I wash it more and more swirling and scratches appear all over my paint.
Is there any problems you see with the steps above?
1, Hose down the car with water, then fill up a bucket with Meguairs (sp?) carwash soap
2, use a sponge (kind of an old one) and scrub it clean
3, rinse the soap off and dry with a leaf blower
4, apply wax, (the stuff im using right now is the Dupont teflon spray wax) with a cotton cloth
5, when wax is ready to wipe off I use microfiber towels
And that is what I do when I normally wash my car, it seems that every time I wash it more and more swirling and scratches appear all over my paint.
Is there any problems you see with the steps above?
i would try a new sponge
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Appleton WI
the sponge is a good possibility because just hosing the car off doesnt get all the fine dirt off, try a good wash mit and get a new one after every few times of washing your car, they tend to hold dirt ive noticed.
TECH Resident
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
+1 on the wash mit. its difficult to keep scratches of darker colours. Megs also IMO will strip away a fair amount of wax each time you use it(Zaino is a lil more forgiving). On my DD GTP, I HAVE to wax at least once every 4 mos, otherwise it really starts to fade/scratches appear....it also depends on how much you wash(the more you wash, the faster you thin out the wax/polish). And I primarily use Megs on it - wash/wax/polishes/wheel cleaner etc. A great detailing site(lol, almost as good as this!) is autopia.com its like a network of detailers!
TECH Addict
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Texas
Originally Posted by oifish
It seems every time I wash my car I get more swirls and scratches, I dont really know what is causing it so I will go through the steps I take to wash my car
1, Hose down the car with water, then fill up a bucket with Meguairs (sp?) carwash soap
2, use a sponge (kind of an old one) and scrub it clean
3, rinse the soap off and dry with a leaf blower
4, apply wax, (the stuff im using right now is the Dupont teflon spray wax) with a cotton cloth
5, when wax is ready to wipe off I use microfiber towels
And that is what I do when I normally wash my car, it seems that every time I wash it more and more swirling and scratches appear all over my paint.
Is there any problems you see with the steps above?
1, Hose down the car with water, then fill up a bucket with Meguairs (sp?) carwash soap
2, use a sponge (kind of an old one) and scrub it clean
3, rinse the soap off and dry with a leaf blower
4, apply wax, (the stuff im using right now is the Dupont teflon spray wax) with a cotton cloth
5, when wax is ready to wipe off I use microfiber towels
And that is what I do when I normally wash my car, it seems that every time I wash it more and more swirling and scratches appear all over my paint.
Is there any problems you see with the steps above?
Make sure you cotton cloths are 100% made in USA cotton. They won't be auto store cheapies.
Also make sure your microfiber is high quality.
__________________________________________________ ______
Here's the process I use to wash:
-Wash wheels/tires/wells first to prevent spotting on paint and glass
-Don't use the same mitt or bucket for wheels that you use on your paint. The brake dust, etc. from your wheels will cause scratches and swirls in your paint.
-Using foam gun, cover vehicle in a thick layer of foam (optional)
-Use two buckets for washing paint. One with a soapy mixture, the other with plain water to rinse the mitt between panels.
-Never use circular motions. Always wash, dry, and wax using front to back and top to bottom motions.
-When vehicle is fully cleaned, allow a slow, steady stream of water to flow over each panel...sheeting the majority of the water off
-Use the leaf blower to blow all water from flat surfaces, mirrors, lights, etc.
-Remove any remaining water with a waffle weave drying towel and detail spray
*The less you touch the paint, the less chance of marring*
Keeping a good sealant and/or wax on the paint will assist in cleaning and reduce chances of marring.
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On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Brandon, Mississippi
Originally Posted by oifish
Ok, thanks everybody. Ill get a wash mitt, also the 2 buckets for washing and rinsing is a good idea. I also think I need a better wax. Thanks again!
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