How to wash your car without getting water marks

[CodyC21]

Hello everyone. I took my car to a local car wash to wash my 2003 Nissan Frontier, and I washed it yesterday. Now I noticed this morning it had a bunch of dried water marks. I didn't dry the car after I washed it. I've only had the car for like two weeks and it's making me mad and stressin out. Now I'm going to go to pep boys after work and just start washing it myself. Since I'm going on vacation for a week next week it will just be sitting it my drive way so I want it to be clean until I get back. Now like I said I'm going to go to pep boys after work. Now what's everything I should get from there? Thanks

[PA DETAILER]

Not drying it off after washing it most likley caused the water spots. Get some good ww or mf drying towels. And after you get a good LSP on (wax or coating) that alone should help prevent future water spotting.

[KBsToy]

Like stated above get yourself a good All In One Wax. This will clean your paint and give you some protection.

MF towels like the guzzler or others are good at drying your car.

My 2cents

[CodyC21]

Should I wash the car again today?

[Desertnate]

One other thought in addition to the advice already given:

If the area you dry the car (using drying towels already recommended) is out in the sun, you might want to keep a bottle of quick detailer and a small MF towel handy. Once dry, go around and hit any areas that have spots with the quick detailer and they should all come off.

My neighborhood has NO shade at all. When washing my cars I often have water spotting because the water is evaporating faster than I can wipe it off. Simply hitting the water spots with QD spray works every time.

[BigJoshStud]

I have no shade available to me where I wash my truck and on top of that it's 100 deg F or hotter here during the summer months. There are a few tricks I use to prevent water spots.
I wash a panel or section of my pick up. Instead of just rinsing the soap off that one section, I rinse that section and give the entire truck a quick spray. Just enough to keep it wet and help keep it cool.
Also, i try to wash it at dusk. If I time it right by the time I am done washing and ready to try the sun has gone down enough that it isn't cooking me or the surface of my vehicle.

[CodyC21]

Well there's a tree right over my car so I don't have to worry about the sun that much.

What should I have to buy. Buckets, sponges, drying towels, spray nozzle, and soap. Should I get a wax? What type of wax? My frontier is a molten lava red. It's sort of a darker shade of red

[PA DETAILER]

2 buckets /// Grit guards
Wash pad/mitt
Drying towels
Hose and nozzle
Mothers cleaner wax

This should get you started.

Car Wash Guide, Car Wash how to - easy steps to shampoo and dry your vehicle using paint-safe mitts and towels, plus sponges, the Grit Guard and

How To Wax A Car, Car Wax & Paint Sealant Application Techniques, how to apply wax & paint sealant by hand or polisher, how to apply wax

[CodyC21]

2 buckets /// Grit guards
Wash pad/mitt
Drying towels
Hose and nozzle
Mothers cleaner wax

This should get you started.

Car Wash Guide, Car Wash how to - easy steps to shampoo and dry your vehicle using paint-safe mitts and towels, plus sponges, the Grit Guard and


How To Wax A Car, Car Wax & Paint Sealant Application Techniques, how to apply wax & paint sealant by hand or polisher, how to apply wax

Okay this is what I ll get. Thanks.

Nice Xterra

[allenk4]

This:

Car Wash Guide, Car Wash how to - easy steps to shampoo and dry your vehicle using paint-safe mitts and towels, plus sponges, the Grit Guard and

There are loads of great articles and videos via the "Detailing How To's" link at the top of this page

Great starting place