Pollen season and carshow question

[WRXINXS]

I am going to enter a carshow this coming Saturday morning at my local TGI Friday's. Nothing too serious, just a fun car show and trophies to the top 25.

I am going to wash my Opti-Guarded RX-7 today and leave it in the garage until Saturday morning. I suspect it will build up a light layer of dust and pollen from today until carshow time on Saturday.

What is the best way to give it a quick cleaning before the show without inducing swirls? I have never used quick detailers even on light dust/pollen because of fear of inducing swirls but I do have ONR and Meguiars quick detailer on hand. Unfortunately no waterless washes on hand.

I also have a California duster that I never use becasue of its bad reputation to cause swirls. I have heard it might be safe if you just let the tips lightly touch the paint to pick up the dust and pollen.

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks,
Drew

[Mazda.Mark]

Are you able to pick up some Legs Wash and Wax anywhere locally? Also, Griot Garage sells waterless wash at local stores too.

Maybe arrive early and do a quick rinseless at the site or a close site and drive over?

[zmcgovern45]

I would just use ONR diluted to clay lube strength as a waterless wash or QD spray since you have it on hand already. No need to go buy anything new. If you simply have pollen/dust on the car just be sure to use ample amounts of product and very plush towels with little to no pressure to simply wipe down the surface.

[Marc08EX]

Hi Drew,

I totally understand the fear of introducing swirls into your perfect paint when quick detailing your car. But don't fear because I'm a testament to how great QD products work on light dust (or pollen for this matter) provided you use good wiping technique.

I have been QD'ing my car (and my wife's) whenever my it has a light layer of dust (2 days max). My wife's car is black and I haven't seen much swirls added for more than half a year now.

I would like to share my method of doing QD (also works with waterless and rinseless). I dubbed it the Michael Stoops Waterless Wash Method and it can be found in the article I wrote here:
Review & How-To: Ultima Waterless Wash Plus

Hope this helps. Good luck in the show!!! I'm sure your RX-7 will turn heads!

[DaVinciAutoSpa]

If it was mine, I'd just be sure to flip the mf towel as often as possible. Fold into 1/4s, spray, wipe, repeat. Also I'd be hesitant to wipe in a 'back and forth' motion. Easy on the pressure and wipe in a straight line. Good luck.

[FUNX650]

What would you guys recommend?

Hi Drew...Glad you asked!!

I am going to wash my Opti-Guarded RX-7 today and leave it in the garage until Saturday morning.
I suspect it will build up a light layer of dust and pollen from today until carshow time on Saturday.

Try to keep the barn-doors closed 'til Saturday.

I have never used quick detailers even on light dust/pollen because of fear of inducing swirls but

I do have ONR and Meguiars quick detailer on hand. Unfortunately no waterless washes on hand.

IMO...
You do have two excellent Waterless-Washes/QD's on hand:
-Meg's QD; and:
-ONR @ 8oz per gal of water = 1:16 dilution ratio.

I also have a California duster that I never use becasue of its bad reputation to cause swirls.

Please...Don't start using it now...
(I personally wouldn't even dare to think about using a "duster" on a vehicle!!)

What would you guys recommend?

I'll further recommend that you:

1.) Have FUN...at this Car Show Drew.

2.) Use Simichrome on your Top-25 Trophy to further enhance: "That Look of Success"




Bob

[O.C.Detailing]

Hey WRX...the bad rap about car dusters is just a bad rumor...if used properly, they are AMAZING at removing dust an pollen from your car. You don't use pressure with them, just run them lightly over the surface of your paint and it will remove the dust and pollen and not scratch your paint at all. Problems come up with someone dusts their car by RUBBING the paint with them.

Let the fibers of the duster gently run along the paint and you'll be more than fine.

[WRXINXS]

Zach - Good advise! Any reason not to dilute to QD strength instead of Clay Lube strength?

Marc - Awesome article. That technique will really help me out!

Bob - Simichrome will definitely enhance my trophy if I am lucky enough to win!! LOL!

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Good luck on the car show. You should have a trophy in hand by the end of the show.

[zmcgovern45]

No major reason... I always dilute it a little strong just because I feel more ONR:water ratio equals better lubrication/cleaning. But I have gallons of it laying around so it doesn't bother me to use a bit extra.