How to avoid...

Coldwarkid · 7th May 2008, 21:01

How does everyone avoid micro scratches and the dreaded swirls?

I can already see micro scratches and I've only washed my car a handful of times. I think it might be related to the micro fibre towels I use.

Any tips/advice?

robbo51 · 7th May 2008, 21:36

Pressure wash the car thoroughly
Fill 2 buckets with warm water, one with some Meguiars NXT and use a Meguiars wash mitt.
Wash the car from the roof down rinsing the wash mitt in the other bucket as you go.
(Use a different Wash Mitt for the wheels and around the wheel arches)
Rinse off with the pressure washer
Dry with a Meguiars Water magnet, rung out using a spin dryer rather than by hand
Leave to air dry for an hour or so then give the car a coat of Collinite 917 Marque d'elegance Wax and buff off a panel at a time with a soft microfibre cloth.
The wheels are given a coat of Poorboys Wheel Sealer and buffed with a separate microfibre cloth.
(Dont forget to dry around the doors and boot and under the bonnet (Different cloth)
Tyre dressing if required - I use Comma Tyre foam
Use RainX on the glass (roof and windows)
This takes around 2 hours

PJS · 8th May 2008, 01:16

Of course, assuming not everyone who owns a car also owns a pressure washer, then pre-wet car with whatever sprayer attachment you have on the end of the hose.

2 buckets, as above - with whatever preferred shampoo you use (Bilt Hamber Auto Wash, Eiinszett Perls, or 4-Star are mine in order of performance) in one, clean water in the other. Wash using a sheepskin mitt.

Clay whilst wet with BH Auto Clay, and then dry or quick rewash.

Dry fully with a good microfibre towel, such as the like of Prima Monster Fluffy or Chemical Guys.

Apply a drop of Dodo Lime Prime with a German applicator working the polish well to remove the light swirls, and leave the paint cleansed and glazed.

Put whichever carnauba wax you prefer on as thinly as possible, and leave to set up for a short while before buffing off with another long pile mf cloth. Victoria Concors is one which gives a very nice nuance to the paint and has good longevity - albeit not quite as much as the Collinites.

If you prefer not to deswirl, but mask them instead, then you'll be hard pressed to find anything which does it better than Bilt Hamber Auto Balm. As a sealant, it'll outlast a wax, but yet exhibits wax-like properties - wetness and depth, as well as high sheen glossiness.

Also works wonders on wheels as well - as will the clay on stubborn bits of tar/brake dust, and glass which shampoo alone won't entirely clean.

For interior and exterior trim/seals/wipers/tyres, you'll be wanting to get some 303 Aerospace Protectant.

Speedy471 · 8th May 2008, 05:20

A good pre rinse either with a pressure washer, hose with spray attachment, or even a watering can with rose. Decent sheepskin/lambskin mit for washing, and very long pile or waffle weave quality drying towel. I think drying is the process where you tend to get the swirls. If you are really serious about it you will just pat-dry the wet car, and let the microfibre do its job. Another option is to buy a quick detailer such as Megs last touch to spray on the wet car just before drying. This will aid lubrication on the surface and hopefully limit any swirls if technique is causing them. A couple of coats of wax on the bodywork will mean that less drying will be necassary, as the water should sheet off the paintwork, so thats another option if not already done. Good luck - Sunny days are always the worst for spotting those swirls!

fennj · 8th May 2008, 07:17

I do a similar routine to these and the neighbours think I'm mad, especailly since I wash her once per week, spray wax every other and 476s every six weeks.

I think that there's a general perception that it's not cool to care about your car despite that it's usually the 2nd biggest investment in a household.

I know that I shouldn't but I do actually care what they think. It'd be great if we all lived on the same estate ! BUT VERY STRANGE.

robbo51 · 8th May 2008, 13:06

I have been known to wash mine quite a bit too.
The neighbours think I'm barking...

Robbieee · 8th May 2008, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy471

A good pre rinse either with a pressure washer, hose with spray attachment, or even a watering can with rose. Decent sheepskin/lambskin mit for washing, and very long pile or waffle weave quality drying towel. I think drying is the process where you tend to get the swirls. If you are really serious about it you will just pat-dry the wet car, and let the microfibre do its job. Another option is to buy a quick detailer such as Megs last touch to spray on the wet car just before drying. This will aid lubrication on the surface and hopefully limit any swirls if technique is causing them. A couple of coats of wax on the bodywork will mean that less drying will be necassary, as the water should sheet off the paintwork, so thats another option if not already done. Good luck - Sunny days are always the worst for spotting those swirls!

Its looks like from your avatar pic that you use snowfoam, how you finding it? Its amazing stuff!

alanwalne · 8th May 2008, 13:18

All weekend, if its not raining all you can hear on my road is lawnmowers, strimmers and pressure washers.

I only have my own lazyness to blame.

Right I am leaving work early today especially to go home and clean the car, if I am proud at the end I may even post some photos.

fennj · 8th May 2008, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwalne

All weekend, if its not raining all you can hear on my road is lawnmowers, strimmers and pressure washers.

I only have my own lazyness to blame.

Right I am leaving work early today especially to go home and clean the car, if I am proud at the end I may even post some photos.

Hope you don't get the same bug as us ; detailer anualus.

Coldwarkid · 8th May 2008, 20:21

Thanks all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy471

and very long pile or waffle weave quality drying towel. I think drying is the process where you tend to get the swirls. If you are really serious about it you will just pat-dry the wet car, and let the microfibre do its job. Another option is to buy a quick detailer such as Megs last touch to spray on the wet car just before drying. This will aid lubrication on the surface and hopefully limit any swirls if technique is causing them.

I think this is what is causing it, I'm tempted to go back to a leather.

PJS · 8th May 2008, 22:50

No, don't!
Swirls are most often generated by too much pressure on the wash mitt with trapped particles wiped across the surface.
So long as you use a soft MF long pile towel (one you've not overdried in the dryer or left to hang on the washing line), you'll not be inducing any fresh marks to the paint.
Pat drying method with gentle wiping of the remaining water will certainly reduce the chances of that aspect of the process being to blame.
Whilst you'll see a number of people championing waffle weave for drying, I don't since if the design was all it is cracked up to be, we'd be buying WW towels to dry ourselves and dishes with. Since we don't, with Terry loop pile being the de facto, then water on a car paintwork is no different from water on skin.
Still, to each their own, and all that.

7th May 2008, 21:01	#1 (permalink)
Coldwarkid Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 5th February 2008 Location: A van down by the river Posts: 285 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	How to avoid... How does everyone avoid micro scratches and the dreaded swirls? I can already see micro scratches and I've only washed my car a handful of times. I think it might be related to the micro fibre towels I use. Any tips/advice?

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This thread is about: How to avoid..., it's in Cleaning at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; How does everyone avoid micro scratches and the dreaded swirls? I can already see micro scratches and I've only washed my car a handful of ...

7th May 2008, 21:36	#2 (permalink)
robbo51 It's my fault! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,874 Thanks: 66 Thanked 75 Times in 72 Posts iTrader: (0)	Pressure wash the car thoroughly Fill 2 buckets with warm water, one with some Meguiars NXT and use a Meguiars wash mitt. Wash the car from the roof down rinsing the wash mitt in the other bucket as you go. (Use a different Wash Mitt for the wheels and around the wheel arches) Rinse off with the pressure washer Dry with a Meguiars Water magnet, rung out using a spin dryer rather than by hand Leave to air dry for an hour or so then give the car a coat of Collinite 917 Marque d'elegance Wax and buff off a panel at a time with a soft microfibre cloth. The wheels are given a coat of Poorboys Wheel Sealer and buffed with a separate microfibre cloth. (Dont forget to dry around the doors and boot and under the bonnet (Different cloth) Tyre dressing if required - I use Comma Tyre foam Use RainX on the glass (roof and windows) This takes around 2 hours

8th May 2008, 01:16	#3 (permalink)
PJS Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th May 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 479 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts iTrader: (0)	Of course, assuming not everyone who owns a car also owns a pressure washer, then pre-wet car with whatever sprayer attachment you have on the end of the hose. 2 buckets, as above - with whatever preferred shampoo you use (Bilt Hamber Auto Wash, Eiinszett Perls, or 4-Star are mine in order of performance) in one, clean water in the other. Wash using a sheepskin mitt. Clay whilst wet with BH Auto Clay, and then dry or quick rewash. Dry fully with a good microfibre towel, such as the like of Prima Monster Fluffy or Chemical Guys. Apply a drop of Dodo Lime Prime with a German applicator working the polish well to remove the light swirls, and leave the paint cleansed and glazed. Put whichever carnauba wax you prefer on as thinly as possible, and leave to set up for a short while before buffing off with another long pile mf cloth. Victoria Concors is one which gives a very nice nuance to the paint and has good longevity - albeit not quite as much as the Collinites. If you prefer not to deswirl, but mask them instead, then you'll be hard pressed to find anything which does it better than Bilt Hamber Auto Balm. As a sealant, it'll outlast a wax, but yet exhibits wax-like properties - wetness and depth, as well as high sheen glossiness. Also works wonders on wheels as well - as will the clay on stubborn bits of tar/brake dust, and glass which shampoo alone won't entirely clean. For interior and exterior trim/seals/wipers/tyres, you'll be wanting to get some 303 Aerospace Protectant.

8th May 2008, 05:20	#4 (permalink)
Speedy471 Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 4th February 2008 Location: Cheam,Surrey Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	A good pre rinse either with a pressure washer, hose with spray attachment, or even a watering can with rose. Decent sheepskin/lambskin mit for washing, and very long pile or waffle weave quality drying towel. I think drying is the process where you tend to get the swirls. If you are really serious about it you will just pat-dry the wet car, and let the microfibre do its job. Another option is to buy a quick detailer such as Megs last touch to spray on the wet car just before drying. This will aid lubrication on the surface and hopefully limit any swirls if technique is causing them. A couple of coats of wax on the bodywork will mean that less drying will be necassary, as the water should sheet off the paintwork, so thats another option if not already done. Good luck - Sunny days are always the worst for spotting those swirls!

8th May 2008, 07:17	#5 (permalink)
fennj Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 20th April 2007 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 187 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I do a similar routine to these and the neighbours think I'm mad, especailly since I wash her once per week, spray wax every other and 476s every six weeks. I think that there's a general perception that it's not cool to care about your car despite that it's usually the 2nd biggest investment in a household. I know that I shouldn't but I do actually care what they think. It'd be great if we all lived on the same estate ! BUT VERY STRANGE.

8th May 2008, 13:06	#6 (permalink)
robbo51 It's my fault! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,874 Thanks: 66 Thanked 75 Times in 72 Posts iTrader: (0)	I have been known to wash mine quite a bit too. The neighbours think I'm barking...

8th May 2008, 13:18	#8 (permalink)
alanwalne Who needs a 4x4?? Rocketship door handle Join Date: 11th June 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 1,767 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts iTrader: (0)	All weekend, if its not raining all you can hear on my road is lawnmowers, strimmers and pressure washers. I only have my own lazyness to blame. Right I am leaving work early today especially to go home and clean the car, if I am proud at the end I may even post some photos.

8th May 2008, 22:50	#11 (permalink)
PJS Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th May 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 479 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts iTrader: (0)	No, don't! Swirls are most often generated by too much pressure on the wash mitt with trapped particles wiped across the surface. So long as you use a soft MF long pile towel (one you've not overdried in the dryer or left to hang on the washing line), you'll not be inducing any fresh marks to the paint. Pat drying method with gentle wiping of the remaining water will certainly reduce the chances of that aspect of the process being to blame. Whilst you'll see a number of people championing waffle weave for drying, I don't since if the design was all it is cracked up to be, we'd be buying WW towels to dry ourselves and dishes with. Since we don't, with Terry loop pile being the de facto, then water on a car paintwork is no different from water on skin. Still, to each their own, and all that.