Discussion
Hope somebody can hope me with this one because it is driving me mad!!, whats causing the swirl marks on my car, i can mop my car, i use menza ultrafine then the glare anti swirl and high gloss polish, and the paintwork looks like a mirror, the problem i have is after a couple of months i start getting swirlmarks back again, well there not even swirl marks really, when the sun is on the car they are more like really fine scrathes almost like its been through a car wash, i wash the car most weekends with a normal type jumbo sponge and a flunkey to dry it, then meguirs detailer with a microfibre towel, what am i doing wrong? cheers
Edited by v8 racing on Wednesday 10th April 20:38
Hi Rob, it would seem it is your wash regime. Sponges are a no no, two buckets, wash mitt like the wookie from Dodo, grit guard in the buckets, pre foaming if you're a fan, use a decent drying towel and potentially a drying agent which will also help get a good finish. My regime for the TVR
Snowfoam
Rinse off with pressure washer at distance, not for the pressure, for the volume etc
2 bucket method, meguiars gold shampoo in one, clean water in other - dodo wookie to wash
Don't rub in circles, follow a single line if possible from top to bottom, rinse in water, refresh in shampoo bucket
Rinse off with loads of water from pressure washer
I then spray on quick detailer from Dodo whose name I forget, which helps the water roll off quicker and layers to the car
I have a selection of drying towels, one larger and 2 smaller to gently following lines take off the water, with the added benefit of leaving behind the quick detailed which enhances the finish
The sponge you're using captures the crud, you then essentially use it to sand you car during the wash process. A quality lambs wool mitt would be a start, 2 buckets better, pre foam gets rid of more grit and rubbish before you start and then drying properly ensures it all lasts longer.
My Griffith is black, so I have to be anal, but after I machine polish the car, with proper LSP it's 2yrs before I need to do it again with topping up the wax only req'd between. Then I like to re-Finish anal scrapes or dings etc, but swirls are much much less of a problem.
It sou,DW a lot of faff, but it saves having to keep polishing it, just need to top off wax every few months.
Snowfoam
Rinse off with pressure washer at distance, not for the pressure, for the volume etc
2 bucket method, meguiars gold shampoo in one, clean water in other - dodo wookie to wash
Don't rub in circles, follow a single line if possible from top to bottom, rinse in water, refresh in shampoo bucket
Rinse off with loads of water from pressure washer
I then spray on quick detailer from Dodo whose name I forget, which helps the water roll off quicker and layers to the car
I have a selection of drying towels, one larger and 2 smaller to gently following lines take off the water, with the added benefit of leaving behind the quick detailed which enhances the finish
The sponge you're using captures the crud, you then essentially use it to sand you car during the wash process. A quality lambs wool mitt would be a start, 2 buckets better, pre foam gets rid of more grit and rubbish before you start and then drying properly ensures it all lasts longer.
My Griffith is black, so I have to be anal, but after I machine polish the car, with proper LSP it's 2yrs before I need to do it again with topping up the wax only req'd between. Then I like to re-Finish anal scrapes or dings etc, but swirls are much much less of a problem.
It sou,DW a lot of faff, but it saves having to keep polishing it, just need to top off wax every few months.
Thanks guys, wookie ordered and drying cloth, loved the comments about the wookie so had to order one just to see how much they do drink lol, just a little confused as i have had black cars etc.... in the past, and never had this issue before, i am a bit anal with how my cars look, its a le-mans blue bmw if that makes any difference, see what the wookie does!!
As above, it's your washing technique that's scratching your paint.
The more care taken at the wash stage the less you'll need to correct moving forward.
It's a modern Beemer so don't be scared of using a pressure washer.
Cover it in sniowfoam first and leave it to do its thing (not dry obviously) then jet it off. You've already then removed a good deal of crud from your paint without even touching it.
Then as above, a two bucket wash with a quality washmit.
I dry with a couple of microfibres, followed by a lick of Meguairs Last Touch detailer because it smells nice
The more care taken at the wash stage the less you'll need to correct moving forward.
It's a modern Beemer so don't be scared of using a pressure washer.
Cover it in sniowfoam first and leave it to do its thing (not dry obviously) then jet it off. You've already then removed a good deal of crud from your paint without even touching it.
Then as above, a two bucket wash with a quality washmit.
I dry with a couple of microfibres, followed by a lick of Meguairs Last Touch detailer because it smells nice
Johno said:
Hi Rob, it would seem it is your wash regime. Sponges are a no no, two buckets, wash mitt like the wookie from Dodo, grit guard in the buckets, pre foaming if you're a fan, use a decent drying towel and potentially a drying agent which will also help get a good finish. My regime for the TVR
Snowfoam
Rinse off with pressure washer at distance, not for the pressure, for the volume etc
2 bucket method, meguiars gold shampoo in one, clean water in other - dodo wookie to wash
Don't rub in circles, follow a single line if possible from top to bottom, rinse in water, refresh in shampoo bucket
Rinse off with loads of water from pressure washer
I then spray on quick detailer from Dodo whose name I forget, which helps the water roll off quicker and layers to the car
I have a selection of drying towels, one larger and 2 smaller to gently following lines take off the water, with the added benefit of leaving behind the quick detailed which enhances the finish
The sponge you're using captures the crud, you then essentially use it to sand you car during the wash process. A quality lambs wool mitt would be a start, 2 buckets better, pre foam gets rid of more grit and rubbish before you start and then drying properly ensures it all lasts longer.
My Griffith is black, so I have to be anal, but after I machine polish the car, with proper LSP it's 2yrs before I need to do it again with topping up the wax only req'd between. Then I like to re-Finish anal scrapes or dings etc, but swirls are much much less of a problem.
It sou,DW a lot of faff, but it saves having to keep polishing it, just need to top off wax every few months.
wrong!Snowfoam
Rinse off with pressure washer at distance, not for the pressure, for the volume etc
2 bucket method, meguiars gold shampoo in one, clean water in other - dodo wookie to wash
Don't rub in circles, follow a single line if possible from top to bottom, rinse in water, refresh in shampoo bucket
Rinse off with loads of water from pressure washer
I then spray on quick detailer from Dodo whose name I forget, which helps the water roll off quicker and layers to the car
I have a selection of drying towels, one larger and 2 smaller to gently following lines take off the water, with the added benefit of leaving behind the quick detailed which enhances the finish
The sponge you're using captures the crud, you then essentially use it to sand you car during the wash process. A quality lambs wool mitt would be a start, 2 buckets better, pre foam gets rid of more grit and rubbish before you start and then drying properly ensures it all lasts longer.
My Griffith is black, so I have to be anal, but after I machine polish the car, with proper LSP it's 2yrs before I need to do it again with topping up the wax only req'd between. Then I like to re-Finish anal scrapes or dings etc, but swirls are much much less of a problem.
It sou,DW a lot of faff, but it saves having to keep polishing it, just need to top off wax every few months.
try the Dodo Supernatural Sponge
basically an improved version of the B$Q open plasterers sponge formerly used by many pro detailers
mitts are so 'passe'
i'd never use a 'mitt' again
if you doubt me read 'detailing world' reviews etc
Edited by grand cherokee on Tuesday 16th April 12:35
grand cherokee said:
Johno said:
Hi Rob, it would seem it is your wash regime. Sponges are a no no, two buckets, wash mitt like the wookie from Dodo, grit guard in the buckets, pre foaming if you're a fan, use a decent drying towel and potentially a drying agent which will also help get a good finish. My regime for the TVR
Snowfoam
Rinse off with pressure washer at distance, not for the pressure, for the volume etc
2 bucket method, meguiars gold shampoo in one, clean water in other - dodo wookie to wash
Don't rub in circles, follow a single line if possible from top to bottom, rinse in water, refresh in shampoo bucket
Rinse off with loads of water from pressure washer
I then spray on quick detailer from Dodo whose name I forget, which helps the water roll off quicker and layers to the car
I have a selection of drying towels, one larger and 2 smaller to gently following lines take off the water, with the added benefit of leaving behind the quick detailed which enhances the finish
The sponge you're using captures the crud, you then essentially use it to sand you car during the wash process. A quality lambs wool mitt would be a start, 2 buckets better, pre foam gets rid of more grit and rubbish before you start and then drying properly ensures it all lasts longer.
My Griffith is black, so I have to be anal, but after I machine polish the car, with proper LSP it's 2yrs before I need to do it again with topping up the wax only req'd between. Then I like to re-Finish anal scrapes or dings etc, but swirls are much much less of a problem.
It sou,DW a lot of faff, but it saves having to keep polishing it, just need to top off wax every few months.
wrong!Snowfoam
Rinse off with pressure washer at distance, not for the pressure, for the volume etc
2 bucket method, meguiars gold shampoo in one, clean water in other - dodo wookie to wash
Don't rub in circles, follow a single line if possible from top to bottom, rinse in water, refresh in shampoo bucket
Rinse off with loads of water from pressure washer
I then spray on quick detailer from Dodo whose name I forget, which helps the water roll off quicker and layers to the car
I have a selection of drying towels, one larger and 2 smaller to gently following lines take off the water, with the added benefit of leaving behind the quick detailed which enhances the finish
The sponge you're using captures the crud, you then essentially use it to sand you car during the wash process. A quality lambs wool mitt would be a start, 2 buckets better, pre foam gets rid of more grit and rubbish before you start and then drying properly ensures it all lasts longer.
My Griffith is black, so I have to be anal, but after I machine polish the car, with proper LSP it's 2yrs before I need to do it again with topping up the wax only req'd between. Then I like to re-Finish anal scrapes or dings etc, but swirls are much much less of a problem.
It sou,DW a lot of faff, but it saves having to keep polishing it, just need to top off wax every few months.
try the Dodo Supernatural Sponge
basically an improved version of the B$Q open plasterers sponge formerly used by many pro detailers
mitts are so 'passe'
i'd never use a 'mitt' again
if you doubt me read 'detailing world' reviews etc
Edited by grand cherokee on Tuesday 16th April 12:35
So the detailing world reviews show a split in opinion, between mitt versus sponge usage. Additionally based on how dirty the vehicle is.... Given my regime starts by reducing the amount of dirt on the vehicle then a mitt fits with the detailing world conclusions, where sponges are preferred for dirtier cars based on their ability to be better rinsed, allegedly.
Whilst I do not habitually read DW, I occasssionally have a look and like any forum opinions remain divided.
Far be it from me to suggest the development of 'new' products gives the enthusiastic detailer something new to buy each year, it seems to me that having used mitts for several years with very good results stating 'wrong' is somewhat a confusing position.
The sponge being used is not one of the newer versions, so as an alternative as a regime mine has worked for many people for a long period of time, now new sponges are available some people - yourself incl. apparently - believe this is the new way forward. Personally I'll stay with what I know works for my and my regime, as I do not need to to change or feel the need to follow the vaguerie and fashion of DW.
But to be fair to V8racing, perhaps recognising the alternatives is a better proposition or useful post than just stating wrong.
Edited by Johno on Wednesday 17th April 10:11
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