Critic my wash process

[touringsedan]

I recently bought a new car in a deep red. After washing, claying, polishing, sealing waxing etc. A few days latter I noticed the infamous spider web scratches. Not sure if I put them there or not or if the dealer did. There are not a lot of them but I can see them. I have been washing my wifes new car, which is silver in color and havent noticed any induced swirls etc since we have bought it. I am concerned I am putting these swirls in the paint so please critic my washing process and let me know where I may be going wrong so I can correct this earlier rather than latter. I also live at an apartment complex so I do not have my own filtered hose water so that may be an issue as well. I dont know, I am just so frustrated right now lets just start with the wash process.




1. Wash out buckets and grit guards ( even after doing it from previous use) and insert grit guards.

2. Fill rinse bucket with water
3. fill wash bucket half way, add soap and fill rest of way
4. insert microfiber mitt into wash bucket and let soak
5. mix soap and water mixture for foam gun and spray down vehicle twice.
6. wash vehicle with mitt
a. wash no more than one large body panel at a time, turning mitt over half way through panel.
b. start at top of vehicle and move to bottom. ( right now I currently work my way from the top down. Once I complete the hood, trunk and roof would it be possible to do a complete door at a time or is it still best to work from the top down all the way around?) Should I also get another mitt for the bottom half of the car or is one okay for the whole vehicle?
c. rinse mitt off after each panel in rinse bucket.
d. Repeat until finished
e. clean windows last.
7. rinse vehicle until all soap residue is gone.
8. Dry using microfiber towels or one of those silicone blade sguiggies people like.
9. buff to a glorious finish
10. wash and dry glorious microfiber and tools

please let me know where i may be going wrong.

[jayhkr]

Looks good to me with the exception of the silicone blade "scratchers". I'm not a fan of them as they can actually drag a piece of contamination across your paint. Others have had no issues with them. I just prefer quality MF's. I always inspect my MF's before each use just to be sure there is nothing caught in the fibers. More than likely IF it is you putting the swirls in, it is more than likely being caused by your drying technique. One question is, what kind of mitt are you using? Quality sheepskin mitts are the best, or MF mitts are ok too. I personally use The Yeti Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/dodo-juice-yeti-wool-mitt.html) as my mitt of choice. Everything else looks good.

[cobalt9123]

First, what type of soap and what type of mitt specifically are you using? What type of microfiber to dry your car? These can all play a significant role in how many swirls you put in the paint.

Also, chances are there are swirls in your other silver car. Light colored cars are harder to see swirls in. Reds and blacks are easiest to see defects in most of the time.

You should definitely have a quality washing detergent, wash mitt, and microfiber drying towel. I, personally, wash from top to bottom and around the car first. I don't wash any lower on any part of the car until all parts above it are finished. Does that make sense? I wash the roof, hood, trunk lid. Then start with the top half of both doors, the top halves of the quarter panels, etc. I then rinse out my rinse bucket and change mitts for the bottom half of the car. I use a GS-50 sheepskin mitt for the top half of the car (which is the safest mitt for your paint, in my opinion). I then change to a 2-in-1 Sheepskin mitt or a Cobra Chinelle Microfiber Mitt for the bottom half of the car (I find these to clean much better, but not be AS gentle on your paint; not that I have experienced marring or scratching). You rarely see people emptying their rinse bucket, but I like to be extra careful when washing.

Another thing you should look into is a blower. You can get one for cheap at Ace Hardware or walmart and it will do wonders for you. The less you touch the paint, the fewer swirls you have a chance to install. I don't like the water squeegies, and I don't like drying with JUST a microfiber. I suggest using something like Finish Kare 425 while drying when still wet along with a premium microfiber towel.

I STRONGLY suggest watching these videos:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mkvg_aFuz0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgRi_NFJDdk

Helpful links:
Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine, finish care quick detailer, ultra slick detail spray (http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-425-detailer.html)
The Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Drying Towel by Cobra is a better drying towel than a chamois, or terry cloth towel. Microfiber makes the best (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-waffle-weave.html)
Sheepskin Wash Mitt<br>with Nylon Mesh Bug Sponge (http://www.autogeek.net/2in1washmitt.html)
Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towel,Guzzler HD,Cobra Drying Towel,Microfiber towel,Microfiber Drying towel,car drying towel (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-guzzler-hd-towel.html)
Sheepskin Wash Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/sheepwas.html)

Cobra Blue Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt: Microfiber Wash Mitt, car wash, shampoo mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-blue-microfiber-mitt.html)

[touringsedan]

Looks good to me with the exception of the silicone blade "scratchers". I'm not a fan of them as they can actually drag a piece of contamination across your paint. Others have had no issues with them. I just prefer quality MF's. I always inspect my MF's before each use just to be sure there is nothing caught in the fibers. More than likely IF it is you putting the swirls in, it is more than likely being caused by your drying technique. One question is, what kind of mitt are you using? Quality sheepskin mitts are the best, or MF mitts are ok too. I personally use The Yeti Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/dodo-juice-yeti-wool-mitt.html) as my mitt of choice. Everything else looks good.

I just got a yeti's fist to use, i still have to comb through it to make sure there is nothing in it. I have been using the blue colored microfiber wash mitt i got from here for a bit and i use the "guzzler drying towels" for the car. I just put the blade on there as some prefer those over towels. I really want a vacum or blower but have no where to store it.

[cobalt9123]

I just got a yeti's fist to use, i still have to comb through it to make sure there is nothing in it. I have been using the blue colored microfiber wash mitt i got from here for a bit and i use the "guzzler drying towels" for the car. I just put the blade on there as some prefer those over towels. I really want a vacum or blower but have no where to store it.

My friend, this is perfect for you:
Metro Blaster SideKick (http://autogeek.net/metro-blaster-sidekick.html)
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/sidekick2.jpg
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/sidekick3.jpg

Small, compact, powerful, and easy to store :props:

[touringsedan]

First, what type of soap and what type of mitt specifically are you using? What type of microfiber to dry your car? These can all play a significant role in how many swirls you put in the paint.

Also, chances are there are swirls in your other silver car. Light colored cars are harder to see swirls in. Reds and blacks are easiest to see defects in most of the time.

You should definitely have a quality washing detergent, wash mitt, and microfiber drying towel. I, personally, wash from top to bottom and around the car first. I don't wash any lower on any part of the car until all parts above it are finished. Does that make sense? I wash the roof, hood, trunk lid. Then start with the top half of both doors, the top halves of the quarter panels, etc. I then rinse out my rinse bucket and change mitts for the bottom half of the car. I use a GS-50 sheepskin mitt for the top half of the car (which is the safest mitt for your paint, in my opinion). I then change to a 2-in-1 Sheepskin mitt or a Cobra Chinelle Microfiber Mitt for the bottom half of the car (I find these to clean much better, but not be AS gentle on your paint; not that I have experienced marring or scratching). You rarely see people emptying their rinse bucket, but I like to be extra careful when washing.

Another thing you should look into is a blower. You can get one for cheap at Ace Hardware or walmart and it will do wonders for you. The less you touch the paint, the fewer swirls you have a chance to install. I don't like the water squeegies, and I don't like drying with JUST a microfiber. I suggest using something like Finish Kare 425 while drying when still wet along with a premium microfiber towel.

I STRONGLY suggest watching these videos:

YouTube - Washing your car featuring Pinnacle Natural Brilliance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mkvg_aFuz0)

YouTube - Pinnacle - Drying your car (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgRi_NFJDdk)

Helpful links:
Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine, finish care quick detailer, ultra slick detail spray (http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-425-detailer.html)
The Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Drying Towel by Cobra is a better drying towel than a chamois, or terry cloth towel. Microfiber makes the best (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-waffle-weave.html)
Sheepskin Wash Mitt<br>with Nylon Mesh Bug Sponge (http://www.autogeek.net/2in1washmitt.html)
Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towel,Guzzler HD,Cobra Drying Towel,Microfiber towel,Microfiber Drying towel,car drying towel (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-guzzler-hd-towel.html)
Sheepskin Wash Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/sheepwas.html)

Cobra Blue Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt: Microfiber Wash Mitt, car wash, shampoo mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-blue-microfiber-mitt.html)


I am using the blue mitt you linked at the bottom and the guxxler towels to dry. using dp extreme in the foam gun with mequiars gold class in the bucket. Have a yeti's fist on standby but need to go through it before using it. I currently go around the car in the same fashion as you but i have seen others do whole doors at once. Didnt think that would be any better but thought i would ask.

[cobalt9123]

I am using the blue mitt you linked at the bottom and the guxxler towels to dry. using dp extreme in the foam gun with mequiars gold class in the bucket. Have a yeti's fist on standby but need to go through it before using it. I currently go around the car in the same fashion as you but i have seen others do whole doors at once. Didnt think that would be any better but thought i would ask.

Above all else, always remember, as Mike P says: "Work Clean"

Sounds like your scratches are coming from the drying process then. I dry by blowing the majority out of the cracks, doors, trunk lid, etc. I then spray down with Finish Kare 425, and dry with a PakShak microfiber. :props:

[jayhkr]

My friend, this is perfect for you:
Metro Blaster SideKick (http://autogeek.net/metro-blaster-sidekick.html)
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/sidekick2.jpg
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/sidekick3.jpg

Small, compact, powerful, and easy to store :props:

I've seen these in action and they are very powerful for such a compact size. They are on my wishlist for future purchase.

[cobalt9123]

I've seen these in action and they are very powerful for such a compact size. They are on my wishlist for future purchase.

You won't be disappointed with it!

[jayhkr]

I just got a yeti's fist to use, i still have to comb through it to make sure there is nothing in it.

Yeah, you'll be combing it and getting all the "shed" out for a few wash's. This is normal. I'm on my 3rd wash with it, and still get a little hair left in the bucket. I bought a cheap metal toothed dog comb at WM and it works just fine. You could go as far as getting a mite/tick comb, but I didn't see the need with mine. Long hair dog/cat comb should do just fine.