Spider Webing After Washing - Any Idea Why?

[CJ from Rocklin, CA]

I have a 2001 Suburban black in color that I purchased new and have constantly pampered the paint. The past several car washes I have noticed after drying that there is spider webbing all over. I use Gold Class car shampoo, Meguiar's wash mop and dry the body with the Water Magnet towels only. Terry cloth towels are used for the door jambs and interior only. The Suburban isn't dirty per se, just lightly dusty. The water magnet towels are washed after each use. Any ideas as to what is taking place? It is either happening during the wash process or drying process I can only assume.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Well, after 5 years, regular wear and tear will add to some swirls no matter what, that just have to be removed.

You have been using Meguiars products to clean/polish/wax as well?

[SVT Lightning]

Seems I recall reading somewhere that Subarus have soft paint. We have a 1998 Forrester and it seems to have micro-marred up pretty quickly after I just treated it to #80 and #26 about a month ago.

[Murr1525]

I think he said Subrurban but yes, Subrau paint seems somewhat soft as well.

[SVT Lightning]

OOOOPS! Jeez, I need to get some rest!

[Murr1525]

[CJ from Rocklin, CA]

Still looking for some input on my dilemma. This suburban spends more time garaged, washed and detailed then the average suburban on the road. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. See original post.

Thanks

[F-150]

Re: Spider Webing After Washing - Any Idea Why?

Originally posted by CJ from Rocklin, CA
I have a 2001 Suburban black in color that I purchased new and have constantly pampered the paint. The past several car washes I have noticed after drying that there is spider webbing all over. I use Gold Class car shampoo, Meguiar's wash mop and dry the body with the Water Magnet towels only. Terry cloth towels are used for the door jambs and interior only. The Suburban isn't dirty per se, just lightly dusty. The water magnet towels are washed after each use. Any ideas as to what is taking place? It is either happening during the wash process or drying process I can only assume.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-Make sure to never use fabric softeners or bleach when washing you towels
-the Ultra Plush wash mop in my experience does a great job but doesn't get every little curve, like the bumpers, side mirrors, it just can't reach every little square inch so I like using a wash mitt. What I'm trying to get at is maybe you're not washing good enough in those little areas and the water magnet is coming in contact with those areas, picking up the dirt, and trailing scratches to the rest of the vehicle that you haven't dried yet. Remember to always use a clean side for the final wipe and you don't need to use pressure when drying. Fold the water magnet into quarters and always keep turning to a clean side when dirt is visible. Wash from top to bottom saving the dirtier areas for last and always use the 2 bucket system w/ grit guards.

[Monk]

Originally posted by Murr1525
I think he said Subrurban but yes, Subrau paint seems somewhat soft as well.

I think he said Subaruban

[CJ from Rocklin, CA]

F150: thanks for the info.

[Accumulator]

IMO most wash-induced marring comes from the dirt getting pressed against the paint when you wash.

The basic problem is how to dislodge the dirt and move it off the paint without applying pressure. Applied pressure while you move the mitt will force the dirt against the paint, when you move the mitt it'll act like sandpaper.

Some of us are unable to wash without marring unless we use a foamgun to provide constant lubrication and flushing. We shoot the sudsy foam between the mitt and the surface of the paint and just barely touch the paint with the mitt.

Others do fine without the foamgun, but the basic premise is the same- the dirt is potentially abrasive so you have to be very careful how you move it across the surface of the paint.

No, dirt doesn't really migrate up into a mitt or a sponge to any significant extent; it stays on the surface where it can do damage. You can prove this to yourself by washing a very dirty panel then taking the mitt under some magnification and pulling the nap back and inspecting it- the dirt will be at the ends of the strands of nap, not up by the backing. The only way it makes it to the backing is if you press really hard and don't rinse thoroughly and often, and that'll cause marring anyhow.

This is all assuming the wash media (mitt, etc.) and/or the drying towels aren't the culprits. Test the wash media on the data-side of a CD, which is a bit softer than most automotive paint. Get the mitt wet with your wash solution and wash the CD. Then inspect the CD in good lighting (I also use magnification). If the wash media doesn't scratch the CD then the problem is the dirt you're washing off. For the drying towel, same basic test. Get the CD wet and dry it, see if it got marred.

[CJ from Rocklin, CA]

Accumulator: Thanks for the input, I will definitely give your suggestions a try.

CJ

[Accumulator]

Hope you get the marring squared away, that's one impressive looking Suburban!

I did a black rent-a-Suburban last year and it was quite a job, even with a rotary. The paint on that one was pretty hard, so I'm hoping you don't have any deep marring to fix.

[mcmmotorsports]

To save you some time and agrivation, try one panel. Get the swirls out completely and try different washing and drying combinations until you find the best one that doesn't induce swirls. Time consuming but less than working the whole vehicle only to induce swirls and have to redo the 'Burb all over again.

[F-150]

Another possibility that your not getting the best results may be because of the quality of your water. You might have hard water problems and this could damage the paint if used to wash the suv, depending on the amount of total dissolved solids. I might suggest buying a tds meter to see. I've heard that Spot Free makes a great water filter unit that I'm going to invest in soon.