washing/drying
 

What's up guys,

Just wanted to get some feedback on how you guys wash/dry your cars. I've been drying my car with microfiber towels and just recently switch to shammees(wrong spelling I know). the reason I switch was I started to notice a bunch of little scratch marks throughout the whole car where I had been using the microfiver towels. Do you think a good buff will get these out?

Thanks for any feeback

I actually use a synthetic chamois to dry my car and it generally works really well. A little bit of polishing compound should get those scratches out of the paint really easily, but I'm surprised microfiber would scratch anything. Even if there was a tiny bit of dirt still on the car, the microfiber should've reduced its impact to the paint.

If you're looking for any product recommendations, I love Zaino and have been using it for years. Just got a shipment in yesterday of their wash, Z8 and Z6. The Z5 polish works well to minimize scratches.

[QUOTE=pinski;2223957]I actually use a synthetic chamois to dry my car and it generally works really well. A little bit of polishing compound should get those scratches out of the paint really easily, but I'm surprised microfiber would scratch anything. Even if there was a tiny bit of dirt still on the car, the microfiber should've reduced its impact to the paint.

If you're looking for any product recommendations, I love Zaino and
have been using it for years. Just got a shipment in yesterday of their wash, Z8 and Z6. The Z5 polish works well to minimize scratches.[


Thanks for the reply. Yeah Ive always used the microfiber towels on my previous cars and it hasn't really done anything idk if it's just this paint or what. I think it might have been because I put them in the washer and after drying them they got a little scratchy. I might just look for a better chamois. The one I use leaves like a yellow residue from it and just isn't what I was hoping for. Tha k you j will deffiently try those products out. do you think just hand buffing it will do the job or would you recommend a buffer?

Thanks

There is real micro fiber and then there is stuff they call micro fiber! I learned the hard way that these are not the same thing.
My wife gave me a bunch of "microfiber" towels for Christmas and when I used one of them last weekend I very quickly noticed that it was leaving swirl marks like mad.
Turns out she got them from the Dollar Store and although they looked and felt like normal microfiber they were more like a medium grade of sandpaper.

I use waffle weave microfiber towels to dry, and I blot dry more than wipe dry when I can. The little scratches are 'swirls,' and are a pain to avoid with clear coat paints. A good polishing should remove most of them. Preventing them isn't just about drying. Its all about keeping everything as grit free as possible while washing and drying. I do a two bucket wash, multiple wash mitts and towels, and use grit gaurds, etc. I still get light swirling over time because this isn't the hardest clear coat, but I just polish once or twice a year and remind myself that i'm probably the only one who notices the swirls.

Microfiber is finicky and needs to be regularly cleaned - you can't wash them in a hot cycle in the washer or dry on high heat as that can ruin microfiber (by essentially melting the fibers together). Microfiber also will retain dirt particles, so it's important to always try to use a clean towel, otherwise you can end up with surface scratches. Of course, you also have a black car, which shows all problems! Subaru's also generally have crappy paint, so we're all screwed in that regard.

Also, if you rinse and dry your new chamois with your hands that yellow residue will stop. May take about 20 rinse/dries to get it done, but once it's good, you shouldn't see that residue anymore.

Zaino recommends hand buffing only - they have a bunch of DIY Tips and whatnot on their website. The forum that WhiteFRS quoted also will give you tons to read on the proper way to take care of your paint:

Good point - a quality microfiber towel is essential.

probably majority of your little swirl marks are coming from improper washing
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGj5f0l5as"]Tutorial: how to wash your car (best car wash methods by Auto Obsessed) - YouTube[/ame]


this guy is KING, just a perfectionist and i love it!
he has great videos to watch and can learn alot!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0hzJImmvNU"]HOW TO DRY YOUR CAR PROPERLY: AMMO Hydrate - YouTube[/ame]

The Uber super drying microfiber towel is your friend. Super fluffy, super absorbent, super soft. Just wash it once or twice before you use it or it will leave blue lint on your car. And don't use dryer sheets on your microfiber towels.

After I wash my car, I drive around real fast and it dries itself.

If you can, use an air hose to dry. If not, make sure the tags are cut off the towels. Use spray lubricant on the towel to help lubricate, straight lines only, keep flipping the towel to a clean side. If you are having to go over the same area multiple times because of streaks, cut down on the amount of car soap you use in the bucket (really only need 1 to 2 capfuls).

Search around forums like Autogeek for proper two bucket washing techniques and exterior maintenance.

Waffle Towels FTW! Leaves no streaking and no marring. Use good quality microfiber towels for detailing car. I use one's that are made in Korea, GSM 400.

Lots of good advice in this thread already, but here's my input.

1) Look up the proper procedure for a 2-bucket wash. Use grit guards.
2) Ditch the chamois. Use quality microfiber like the [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LTVCBU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Cobra 600 ultra-plush[/ame]. I started with 6 and order a new set every so often.
3) If your microfiber touches the ground, it's dead. Toss it.
4) Don't use your microfibers on wheels or wheel wells. Or if you do, have a separate set. Towels that touch wheels and wheel wells should never ever touch the paint.
5) Wash your microfibers ONLY with other microfibers. Do not wash with other materials. Wash on cold, dry with low heat. Don't use fabric softener. Consider throwing some white vinegar into the wash.
6) When drying, spray a little quick detailer like [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SQVNA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Meguiar's Final Inspection[/ame] onto the towel AND on the paint. Lots of scratches are caused by improper drying, and adding the quick detailer provides an extra layer of protection.

Edit: and to answer your prior question, minor swirl marks should come out with light compounding using something like M105 + M205. If they're really light, M205 should be enough, followed by a sealant/wax/both.