Tips for washing your car to keep from messing it upHere's a few things to consider w

DKS

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Here's a few things to consider when detailing your car. Especially if you have a black car that shows micro scratches and swirls easily

Most of the damage to you paint is done by improper washing. If you are rubbing a gritty, dirty sponge all over your car when you wash it you are doing more damage than good.

I use one of the microfiber jobs from Walmart with the stringy things on them. They have a cheap blue one or the Orange turtle wax ones. I use the blue since they are the same but cheaper. These trap more dirt and have more surface area then a sponge so they trap more grit and hold more soap.

Start with a good car wash. I use Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II because it's very slick and very sudsy and smells great. It doesn't strip wax or sealant and that is super important. The good Maguires wash is good also, but doesn't suds nearly as well.

If you have access to a pressure washer, use it to first spray the car with soap then rinse with high pressure to get as much of the dirt and grit off as possible before touching the car. (this is very very helpful to keep from scratching the paint from a dirty sponge)

You need a Bucket (or 2) with grit guards in them. The grit guard sits in the bottom of the bucket and traps grit and dirt so it doesn't get back on the car and do damage. You can use a rinse bucket first then the soap bucket to make double sure to get all of the grit out of the sponge.

Agitate the sponge against the grit guard to work the grit out each time you put put it in the bucket to get more soap.

Wash the car in straight lines, not circles to prevent swirl marks.

Rinse the car then dry using one of these methods. . .

You can either use the sheeting method to pre-dry the car. To use the sheeting method you use a hose with no sprayer on the end so it's free flowing. Start at the top of the car and fill the top with water so it's running off the sides. Bring the hose down to the edge of the top and move it back and forth to "catch" the water and slowly work it down to the bottom of the car. If you do it correctly it will sheet the water off the car and be almost dry with just a few spots left.

At this point you can just use a Microfiber drying towel to blot (not rub) the little water that is left.

OR My preferred method is using a leaf blower to just dry the car off which will also get water out of the nooks and crannies that the other method will miss. I do this because in shows I can't have water spots inside my gas cap, trunk, etc. Plus, the less you touch a car's paint the less chance you have of scratching or streaking it.

I try to never touch my paint if I can help it. If I have just dust on my car I would rather pressure wash it and leaf blow it than to try to use a microfiber and quick detailer, which will scratch the hell out of a car. You notice it on a black but maybe not on another color.

When you have a car with a mirror shine like mine you can really see when you screw up with using car dusters, microfibers and quick detailer, etc.

Never ever just spray a car off and then dry it with a towel. If it's just sprayed off, even with a pressure washer there is still dirt and dust on it and the towel will rub it around and scratch the heck out of it no matter how careful you are.

If I think of more I'll post later. I hope this helps guys. I am very passionate about my car's paint and I'm constantly getting compliments and scoring very high on my finish.

Once you get a good wax job the last thing you want to do if screw it up the first time you wash the car. . .
 

big-j

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wow alot of helpfull hints there ill have the try the water sheeting thing and ya iv noticed after dryin it off at the car wash the other day i had ton of fine scraches used the blackbox to clear most of em up.thanks for the hints man maby i can finnaly get my car lookin how i want it
 

DKS

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No problem dude. It took me awhile to get where I can finally keep my car looking sweet for a while without having to polish it every week to get out fine scratches cause by improper washing and trying to dust the thing off with a microfiber or car duster. I do still use a duster on car show days to get off dust and pollen while it's parked outside all day, but that's the ONLY time I use one
 

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I use a plastic squeegy thing like the back of the window cleaning things to get most of the water off my car first after washing. Then I use a sheepskin to clean up the little spots the squeegy missed. Makes drying a LOT easier IMO.
 

DKS

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I use a plastic squeegy thing like the back of the window cleaning things to get most of the water off my car first after washing. Then I use a sheepskin to clean up the little spots the squeegy missed. Makes drying a LOT easier IMO.

Yes, it's quick but those things are deadly on your paint. I used to use one all the time and I really f'd up my 330i (sapphire Black Metallic) If there is any dirt or dust at all present they drag it across the paint. So, you miss a spot cleaning or dust collects somewhere, etc. You can ruin your paint job quick. Take it from someone who did it. They are great for windows and I use one on my Jeep, but never would I ever touch my black paint again with one!!!
It's pretty quick and easy to do the blower technique and the sheeting method I mentioned will take as much water off just as quick as the water blade and there is NO RISK. It's amazing how quick it works, try it sometime just for fun, lol
 

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No squeegy's!!!!! ANd good info Spencer, you know your stuff...I like using the water sheathing method, but next time I wash it, I will use the leaf blower..Whats youre take o touchless car washes with air dryers for quick in between washes?
 

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No squeegy's!!!!! ANd good info Spencer, you know your stuff...I like using the water sheathing method, but next time I wash it, I will use the leaf blower..Whats youre take o touchless car washes with air dryers for quick in between washes?

Yeah, if it's touchless and air drys it it's all good for a quickie. I essentially do my own version at home with my pressure washer and leaf blower. Just remember that all the dirt is not gone so you can't rub it with a towel if the air dry doesn't get it all off.

I had to stop at a car wash on the way to the last show because the roads were wet from the morning rain. I NEVER go to a car wash, lol But, I took buckets and my blower with me and did a hand wash after I pressure washed it off then use the car wash to rinse and blew her off and I took first place in the Modified Ford division and got a perfect score on my Paint. Good times!!!!

Biggest problem for touchless is that they are only good for dust not road grime and the wheels still need to be sprayed with cleaner and agitated with a brush to get the brake dust off prior to pulling in.
 
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Steedman07

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Yeah, if it's touchless and air drys it it's all good for a quickie. I essentially do my own version at home with my pressure washer and leaf blower. Just remember that all the dirt is not gone so you can't rub it with a towel if the air dry doesn't get it all off.

I had to stop at a car wash on the way to the last show because the roads were wet from the morning rain. I NEVER go to a car wash, lol But, I took buckets and my blower with me and did a hand wash after I pressure washed it off then use the car wash to rinse and blew her off and I took first place in the Modified Ford division and got a perfect score on my Paint. Good times!!!!

Biggest problem for touchless is that they are only good for dust not road grime and the wheels still need to be sprayed with cleaner and agitated with a brush to get the brake dust off prior to pulling in.

^^Nice win for best paint..I will tell you, that I still have some spider webs in my paint. WHen I look at it in direct sunlight, I can see them. It might be I scratched it again after I washed it, and then dryed it with a microfiber towel. So now, I will use Swirl X on the affected areas, and re-apply wax and see how it comes out. I wish it was slighty cloudy all year around, lol, cuz it looks badass when not in direct beaming sunlight when looking at it from the wrong angle. most people wont see it, but I know its there, and it fucking bugs the shit out of me..
 

big-j

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i cant run mine thru the carwash cause it will chip my stripes im thinkin bout takin them off and blackin it out.im really excited to try that water sheddin thing now after watchin a couple vids on it.have you ever used zainos?????
 

DKS

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Wow. According to your OP, my car wants to kill me. Got any tips on getting swirl marks out?

Best thing is a good buffer (porter cable 7424 or better) and some M205 and some time.
When I got my work done on my car the bodyshop sent it to a "professional detailer" and for $140 he put swirls all over it by washing it with a dirty mit he had been using on god knows how many cars. It took me 5-6 hours to get it back to perfect. And when I say perfect I mean NO swirls or scratches even in the most direct light.

Hand polishing with scratch x will take forever and will not be a uniformed finish like properly polishing the entire car. If you get a pro buffer you will be amazed how great it is for polishing. And you can use it to wax with a soft pad and it will cut waxing times down to nothing.

I masked off all my rubber and plastic today and waxed my car before work in a couple of hours with my buffer and a blue finishing pad.
 

DKS

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^^Nice win for best paint..I will tell you, that I still have some spider webs in my paint. WHen I look at it in direct sunlight, I can see them. It might be I scratched it again after I washed it, and then dryed it with a microfiber towel. So now, I will use Swirl X on the affected areas, and re-apply wax and see how it comes out. I wish it was slighty cloudy all year around, lol, cuz it looks badass when not in direct beaming sunlight when looking at it from the wrong angle. most people wont see it, but I know its there, and it fucking bugs the shit out of me..

Yep, after all the stuff you guys did to your car, you probably had it perfect until the first washing, right? That's what happens. That's why proper washing is the most important part of maintaining your finish after you have it the way you want it.

Buy you a porter cable 7424 and let me show you the light, lol Then just wash it properly and you'll have a sick finish all the time. . .
 

DKS

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i cant run mine thru the carwash cause it will chip my stripes im thinkin bout takin them off and blackin it out.im really excited to try that water sheddin thing now after watchin a couple vids on it.have you ever used zainos?????

Actually, No, I've never used it. I love the Blackfire Wet Diamond on black cars if you can time it just right. You have to let it dry enough so it doesn't streak when you remove it, but not too long or it's hard to get off. But if done properly it's a great sealant. I love Maguires Gold Class Wax. I know it's not a high dollar pro wax, but it's great and it's my pre-show choice for a black car.
 

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Yep, after all the stuff you guys did to your car, you probably had it perfect until the first washing, right? That's what happens. That's why proper washing is the most important part of maintaining your finish after you have it the way you want it.

Buy you a porter cable 7424 and let me show you the light, lol Then just wash it properly and you'll have a sick finish all the time. . .

I washed it the right way, I just didnt dry it properly. Or, there were a few there the whole time, maybe I wasnt looking at the right angle..So, I will wash it again this weekend, dry it properly, use some swirl X, and then seal it again with some wax. It doesnt take long to wax now with the DA..
 

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Yes, it's quick but those things are deadly on your paint. I used to use one all the time and I really f'd up my 330i (sapphire Black Metallic) If there is any dirt or dust at all present they drag it across the paint. So, you miss a spot cleaning or dust collects somewhere, etc. You can ruin your paint job quick. Take it from someone who did it. They are great for windows and I use one on my Jeep, but never would I ever touch my black paint again with one!!!
It's pretty quick and easy to do the blower technique and the sheeting method I mentioned will take as much water off just as quick as the water blade and there is NO RISK. It's amazing how quick it works, try it sometime just for fun, lol

No squeegy's!!!!! ANd good info Spencer, you know your stuff...I like using the water sheathing method, but next time I wash it, I will use the leaf blower..Whats youre take o touchless car washes with air dryers for quick in between washes?

wow! Thanks for clearing that up! I'll keep it for windows only now. That's why I love this site. Learn something new every day haha
 

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Thats some good info bro. I use the same towels from walmart as well. 5 bucks for 8 of them. Good deal. lol One thing I do different is I never use high pressure to get the soap of the car. High pressure actually can scratch the clear coat bad. Im not saying dont use any pressure when washing it but just enough to get everything off the car. before I dry it, i use my air hose on all the crack, pop the trunk, pop the hood, ect because its amazing where the water will go. lol Besides that, everything else you said it spot on!
 

DKS

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Steedman- Didn't realize you had DA. Rock on!!! With the proper pads and polish you're good to go. I probably woudn't use scratch x if you have a DA. Scratch x is more for spot treatment that's why it's sold in small bottles. Pretty much for one isolated scratch that you want to work out by hand. For spiderwebs you should use your DA with M205 or the UC, but the 205 finishes down better than the UC.

If your buddy did the 5 step method and he knew what he was doing then I really doubt there were any spiderwebs when he was done. And it sounds like he knows what he was doing from what you've said. My car was f-d up when I got it back and you can't find a scratch, swirl, hologram, etc. on it now. You'd be surprised what you can make one look like with that method. But if you can get it where you want it and care for it properly you won't have to spend that much effort again for a long time. (unless you drive it in the rain, lol) Then you're screwed

Also, just to clear it up. I didn't win "best paint" I won the "Ford Modified class". But I was scored 10/10 on my paint.

Skeeter-I pretty much "foam" the entire car with Maxi-Suds II to encapsulate the dirt then rinse and turn up the pressure to get the harder stuff. I know the theory that pressure can scratch the paint, etc. Which it can, But consider this. What will scratch more? Water hitting it hard for a second and blowing the dirt to oblivian or not using pressure and rubbing the dirt around on the paint with a sponge. To each his own, but I personally have noticed I have better luck doing it my way and can go longer in between polishing than I could before I started using the foam and pressure first. Just MHO.
 

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Jeremy, from Meguiar's, did my car last September. I did it myself this time though. He even told me that I would probably need Swirl X, not scratch X, on some areas with spider webs that the Ultimate Compound didnt fix, and he was right, lol..but other than that, the UC w/ a DA, then hand apply Polishing compound, then Crystal Carnube Wax with the DA, it looks unbelievable.
 

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