Scratches appearing after washing

[Rippers]

I have noticed than when I have finished washing my car there seem to be small, new scratches that weren't there before. I expect a few stone chips and marks at the front but they are often in obscure places like the lip below the rear window and on the actual boot near the badge. I can't think of anything that could have caused these marks (unlike the front)as I am careful when putting stuff in the boot (buttons, jacket zippers etc) and they are not exclusive to that area either.

I hose the car down to get rid of any grit and dust then wash with a sponge and Autoglym Car Shampoo, rinse with the hose again, then suddenly.... there are the scratches.

Most people wouldn't notice them, but I do and as the car is dark blue they look unsightly. I have never had this problem on any other cars (non TVRs) in the past. Can anyone help me with this mystery, it may even be me causing them when washing.

Help please

Cheers - Rippers

[dougc]

For starters, ditch the sponge and get a wash mitt from Halfords.

When washing the car, use 2 buckets. Fill one with the usual solution of shampoo and warm water and the other with just water. Wash as normal using the mitt to apply the shampoo mixture but when it needs recharging (for want of a better description) rinse it in the other bucket first.

This keeps any grit and gunge that you have cleaned off the car away from the shampoo water and ensures that you are not dragging stuff across the bodywork on the next pass.

[targarama]

Maybe you're rubbing too hard (or you could buy a different colour car). Is your paint flat or metallic? (flat will show every mark which may be completely invisible on metallic colours).

People might cringe at this, but I use the same sponges on my TVR that I use on our A6 and TT. They've been dropped on the ground for sure as my brother uses the same bucket/sponges when he washes his BMW. I rotate soapy/rinse sponges every few months (i.e. throw one out and bring in a new one). I also use the same soapy sponge to clean the wheels.

Our TT is metallic black and my A6 is dark green metallic. No swirl marks from washing. Only scratches on the TT are from bad parking and door dings etc.

[rev-erend]

Use a new sponge everytime.. use old sponges for the wheels only !

Edited to add - if you can affort a 40K car - you can affort to spent £1 on a sponge.

>> Edited by rev-erend on Thursday 20th April 17:14

[cdmpw]

Suggest you use a sheepskin wash mitt from Halfords which scatches less than a sponge IMO.

Jet wash or hose the grit off before washing with shampoo as well, if you've got Armorfend or Paint Shield fitted be careful not to spray too close to its edges otherwise it will peel.

Regards

Chris

[kmpowell]

I agree dump the sponge ASAP!

Personally I use Ettoire Microfibre clothes that don't scratch at all. They are availble at B&Q warehouse for £4.98 each and are even recommended by Swissol dealers!

They lift the dirt off instead of moving it about!

>> Edited by kmpowell on Thursday 20th April 20:41

[targarama]

kmpowell said:

I agree dump the sponge ASAP! Personally I use Ettoire Microfibre clothes that don't scratch at all. They are availble at B&Q warehouse for £4.98 each and are even recommended by Swissol dealers! They lift the dirt off instead of moving it about! >> Edited by kmpowell on Thursday 20th April 20:41

I keep meaning to look for these cloths, thanks you've just reminded me :-)

[kmpowell]

targarama said:

kmpowell said: I agree dump the sponge ASAP! Personally I use Ettoire Microfibre clothes that don't scratch at all. They are availble at B&Q warehouse for £4.98 each and are even recommended by Swissol dealers! They lift the dirt off instead of moving it about! >> Edited by kmpowell on Thursday 20th April 20:41 I keep meaning to look for these cloths, thanks you've just reminded me :-)

Trefor, they are blue, come in a clear packet, and are in the window cleaning section of B&Q warehouses. £4.98 each. They are also great for getting wax off your car once applied and dried, again becasue it lifts the substance instead of moving it about on the surface.

[XTR2Turbo]

Agree use sponge once only on body. Bulk buy in Tesco for 39p each.

Small scratches will easily disapperar with a good cleanser and polish like zymol

[evolutionvalet]

Rippers,

Well you were right at the end. It is in the washing process that the swirls are being made. The sponge is the culprit so bin it or just use it for underarch cleaning.
A good quality lambswool mitt or Micro fibre mitt is the best thing to use when washing the car. If you dont want to go the whole hog and do the 2 bucket method make sure you put a grit guard in the bottom of the bucket to prevent loose dirt and grit getting back onto the washmitt.
To remove the scratches that are there now, try a decent scratch remover then make sure you apply a decent brand of wax for protection afterwards.

Kev