Numpty question about cleaning my car

[Family Guy]

Hello all. First time posting on the bodywork/detail forum

At the risk of sounding stupid, how should I be cleaning my car? Since buying my 911 I have always used a micro fibre mitt, a halfords own jobbie. But I think it must have picked something up as it’s put some swirl marks on a small patch on the rear bumper about 4 inch diameter. These are not deep but I’m just a bit annoyed as I’m always vigilant at rinsing the mitt off regularly. I rinse the mitt off with a hose rather than using a second bucket of cold water. Is this wrong? Also are these mitts ok to just keep using or are they limited to a few uses and then bin ‘em.

Is a lambs wool mitt less likely to trap grit and dirt?

Sorry for the numpty questions.

FG

[domster]

The mitt may be fine, but keeping the car swirl free will always be a mission. Two buckets, grit guards, good drying techniques... there are many ways you can try and prevent them. But certainly you need the softest wash mitt possible and a good wash/rinse technique.

[belleair302]

As above, but do wash you mitt in he machine and air dry. Sheepskin mittis better still as is a NATURAL sea sponge, not a cellulose one.

Also dry the car with a good quality waffle weave drying towel, not a blade or chamios.

Do you wax your car, if so what applicator(s) are you using and what about a clay and a once or twice a year polish?

[Family Guy]

belleair302 said:

As above, but do wash you mitt in he machine and air dry. Sheepskin mittis better still as is a NATURAL sea sponge, not a cellulose one.

Also dry the car with a good quality waffle weave drying towel, not a blade or chamios.

Do you wax your car, if so what applicator(s) are you using and what about a clay and a once or twice a year polish?

Have always washed the mitt in the washing machine, but not after every wash. Also it sometimes finds it's way into the tumble dryer.

What would be a good make of drying towel??

I use Autoglym polish and put it on with Halfords polish cloth, the stuff that comes as a roll.

Am i better off using the 2 bucket method and do i need a grit guard for both buckets?

Thanks for any advice

FG

[belleair302]

Nothing wrong with putting your mitt into both the washing machine and the dryer, however if you invest in a sheepskin mitt, just rinse and let air dry.

A decent drying towel is a must and something like Der Sonus Wunder drying towel or an ultra Plush Miracle dryer....both waffle weave or fluffy microfibre towels.

My current favourite is from Rubbish Boys....these people all have odd sounding names re suppliers. The Super Plush drying towel is £10 and just sucks up water along with being very soft.

Two grit guards and the two bucket method is better than one, but stopping all swirl marks in nearly impossible.

Otherwise just keep doing what you are doing, but always use a decent shampoo and good wax applicators / microfibres.

[Family Guy]

Thanks for the advice.

I usually use Autoglym shampoo and polish. I have also used Meguiars gold class shampoo but it's so sweet it attracts small flies which then get stuck to the car

[belleair302]

Try Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Wax, or Bilt Hamber Auto wash!!