Detailed for 8 hours, 1 wash = swirls

[stangyellow]

Spent all last weekend washing/detailing my car that came out really well. It rained this weekend, so i washed the car with a microfiber mitt, and then a green drying cloth that i got from this website, free, with an order. I get to work.... swirls everywhere. The mitt was brand new and never left a swirl when i used it last week. Now i dried my car with a free cloth, and the swirls/lines are noticeable.

The question: as mentioned above, i spent a full DAY cleaning/polishing this car, and put down 2 layers of wolfgang 3.0. How do i get rid of these swirls that marred my entire vehicle without re-polishing everything? Thanks.

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

Between the microfiber mitt and the green cloth is were you problem came from. Those mitts hold dirt when washing and I cloth is not as soft as a ww and/or as absorbant so the more you go over the finish the more chance of marring. Change your wash mitt, get some WW's, try using the sheeting method, removing the water nozzle and letting the water sheet over the finish will leave less water and then if youwant to go even more indepth get a leaf blower. The key is to touch the paint as least as possible.

[stangyellow]

I'm not up to date with the abbreviations on this website. What is a "WW"? :) Also, how can i correct the swirls? Do i have to remove the sealant, and start over?

The car is not garaged, and has been under a car cover since being detailed. However, the dirt still passes through the cover, as its "breatheable". So, until i can find a better, less bulky cover...im stuck with removing dirt from the exterior. How can i remove this stubborn dirt without this damage happening again?

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

WW=Waffle Weave. Also do not put your cover back on the car after driving, you will just rub the dirt in. You are going to have to go back over the car with a light polish to remove the swirls. Like I mentioned above that is going to be your best defense on removing the dust or dirt on your finish to avoid inducing anymore marring.

[stangyellow]

The car is also parked under trees, which means it is subject to sap, dirt, and bird markings. So, the car cover is my only option to keep that off the vehicle. Is there a washing mitt, or cloth that will minimize the scratching? I bought the autogeek foam gun and have run the supplied DP shampoo, and Ive also tried the Megs Gold Class though there. While the foam gun does the advertised foaming, it still requires a strong effort to remove some of the dirt. Maybe i should just invest in a garage.

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

The car is also parked under trees, which means it is subject to sap, dirt, and bird markings. So, the car cover is my only option to keep that off the vehicle. Is there a washing mitt, or cloth that will minimize the scratching? I bought the autogeek foam gun and have run the supplied DP shampoo, and Ive also tried the Megs Gold Class though there. While the foam gun does the advertised foaming, it still requires a strong effort to remove some of the dirt. Maybe i should just invest in a garage.

The foam gun will aid you, I prefer the lambskin mitts. You are going to have a battle with the tree but once again my above advice should and will cut down on your swirls and marring. Also watch the pressure you use with the mitt when washing, you just want to glide the mitt over the paint. On sap or bird crap you want to apply something pre-wash to soften it so it will come off easy during your wash.

[stangyellow]

Thank you for the help Rocket.

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

Thank you for the help Rocket.

You are welcome.

[Jeremy]

You're not talking about this one are you?
The Cobra Microfiber Detailing Cloth is the perfect car detailing & buffing towel! Made of 80/20 microfiber with the best detail cloth in the car care (http://www.autogeek.net/pincobdetclo.html)

If it is I can't imagine how you even managed to dry the car with that little thing

[stangyellow]

Thats the culprit.

[loudog2]

You're not talking about this one are you?
The Cobra Microfiber Detailing Cloth is the perfect car detailing & buffing towel! Made of 80/20 microfiber with the best detail cloth in the car care (http://www.autogeek.net/pincobdetclo.html)

If it is I can't imagine how you even managed to dry the car with that little thing
Those towels can also cause damage. Believe me! I learned last weekend and had to do the hood over again. I was removing fuzion w/a cobra edgless and heard a sound I never want to hear again. Like a needle being dragged across a vynal record.

[Jeremy]

I use these to remove polish Cobra Arctic White Edgeless Microfiber Polishing Cloths, microfiber towels, wax remover, buffing towels (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-teal-edgeless-microfiber-cloth.html)

And I have some from pakshak that are practically identical.I use pakshaks waffle weaves and am happy with them,but a cobra guzzler will be on my next order to try it out

[Emile]

Lake Country Grout Sponges for washing. California Water Blade and/or waffle weave microfiber towels for drying.

In my experience with my black car, if it isn't waffle weave, it's going to scratch.

[tempter927]

another point that hasnt been mentioned in this thread is to make sure the microfiber is 70/30 and not 80/20 ratio of materials used to make it. I have the corbra guzzler HD which is gold with black satin trim. Please watch some of the instructional videos on how to wash and dry your car, they show techniques to minimize marring. Goodluck

[stangyellow]

California Water Blade

Good call. I used that blade once on a friends car and loved it. Havent thought about that item until now.