Daily detail technique

[koklead]

Hi guys,

I've gotten this insight from a very experienced and enthusiastic detailer and wonder what you think:

My car is a daily user.

Every night, using a MF cloth and Meg Quik Detailer, I wipe down the dust to keep it clean until i wash at the end of the week.

If it rains, I still follow the routine but before that i use a Drying Towel to wipe the water off first.

How do you think? Will it be damaging to the car?

Thanks

[Accumulator]

Bearing in mind that I'm off-the-scale paranoid about marring my finish, IMO you'll eventually mar the paint. You'll get a bit of abrasive dirt between the MF/drying towel and the paint, and it'll scratch.

Other than occasional bird-bombs, the only time I touch the finish is when I'm doing a full, proper wash. I believe it's a big part of why I can go many months, often over a year, without needing to polish out marring (and I inspect under very unforgiving lights).

[Mikeyc]

Originally posted by Accumulator
Bearing in mind that I'm off-the-scale paranoid about marring my finish, IMO you'll eventually mar the paint. You'll get a bit of abrasive dirt between the MF/drying towel and the paint, and it'll scratch.

Other than occasional bird-bombs, the only time I touch the finish is when I'm doing a full, proper wash. I believe it's a big part of why I can go many months, often over a year, without needing to polish out marring (and I inspect under very unforgiving lights).

I agree. IMO you want to reduce the amount you are "rubbing" the paint. Even though you are using an MF and a lubricant like QD this could leave very light marring which would build up over time. Also, drying your car while dirty will definitely mar the paint.

I don't know the environment you live in, but IMO if a car is going to be a daily driver then I think you have to expect and live with a little dirt like dust. Otherwise, you'll mar the paint and you'll be polishing so much you'll go through the clear coat. I learned a long time ago that sometimes the pursuit of perfection causes more damage than good.

[LiquidBlack]

I agree with the two above posts. You will get micro-marring by accidentally rubbing dust and other stuff across the paint, eventually leading to swirls.

I think it would be a good idea to use a body duster right before quick detailing.

[steveo3002]

why dont you change to a twice weekly wash/dry/qd and live with the dirt between washes

[koklead]

Thanks guys,

From what i gather,

1. I should use body duster to remove the dust at the end of the day.

2. Every week do a wash/dry/QD

3. Don't follow a QD + ultimate Wipe wipe-down everyday.

4. If it rains? Do I wash to prevent watermarks? Any alternatives if I can't do it everytime it rains (tropical weather area) please?


Please correct me if i'm wrong. Thanks.

[gb387]

If it rains.... I think its best to just let it be and wash when you can. Dirt/dust really likes to stick to rain, if you were to attempt to dry it that dirt and such will leave micro-marring.

[Accumulator]

Yeah, I'd just leave it go until the next regular wash. I never get any awful waterspotting, my LSPs seem to provide plenty of protection against that.

I'd even be careful with the duster. IMO cars that get driven just get dirty; it's the nature of the thing. My Jag never gets driven in bad weather, so it stays spotless....but it's not really living the life of a "car" either. If you want something that'll be spotless 24/7/52 you need a garage queen that you can pamper.

Back when I was younger and crazier I washed the Porsche I had after *every* commute and I was even more particular about my Jag too. Looking back on it, I sure spent a lot of time doing that....now I wash our cars when they really need it and I have a lot more time for the rest of my life

[Murr1525]

Well, as I am not familiar with the severity of water spots in your area, if it is causing you problems, then I suppose you should try todry a little.

Some people use a QD when drying their car after washing, so if your car is staying pretty clean, you may be able to QD and then dry the wet car.

It is not a perfect solution, but if you are choosing between a little marring and water spots, it is up to you.

The most important thing would be the monthly or so cleaning and waxing of the finish, to keep it protected.

[zey]

Hi koklead, coming from the same place where you stay, I would not try to QD my car if it's driven out. Our living environment is very polluted, which is contributed from constructions everywhere, open burnings by irresponsible people, acidic rain due to industrial areas around, etc...

For my ultra scratch sensitive paint, it'll immediately get marred if I ever try to QD it even if the dust on it is minimal. It's either I do a complete washing process, or I just leave it. There are certain circumstances which I'm forced to use QD/FI due to emergency, such as, bird droppings, tree saps, or even mosquito fogging oil. In those cases, I would rather to get light swirling than serious paint damage which requires compounding later on.

The choice is yours, more important is you're able to accept your own ride's condition. A simple complete washing process wouldn't take a very long time, at most 1 hour if you've been practicing washing alot. Cheers mate!