Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

[blacksnake99]

I am a recent convert to the no-wash philosophy at the suggestion of a buddy of mine, on a trial basis. As background, the car is 10 years old and now has 5300 miles. I have had it for 2 months, but the prior owner seems to have caused some LIGHT swirl and a few superficial scratches. I never drive this car in the rain and it is really driven only once a week or so, so I have been Swiffering the road dirt off (works MUCH better than I thought it would). I then go over it with detail spray to get bugs etc. off, then MQD, then a final coat of MQW. I always use nice MF towels. It looks good but I can't tell if I am increasing the number of swirl marks. I plan on washing it every 2-3 months or if it gets wet, and reapplying a carnauba, using Meguires Gold. At some point I plan on getting a power swirl remover set and eliminating the swirl so I can tell if the method is working. I have not clayed it because of the low milage and it has always been garage kept. Oh, and its black so it shows ALL the swirl.

Wheels get Swiffered for brake dust (they are polished/clear coated), then detail sprayed.

Does this sound like I am smoking crack with this method to anyone? I began detailing my own cars back in the 80s before detail sprays so this seems like heresy to me.

[yalerd]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

This thread could help out a bit
Regular Washing How Often?

[akimel]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Just out of curiosity, what swiffer/duster are you using?

If it works for your car, then that is all that is important. Only you will be able to determine whether your method is scratching the paint or not.

I have stopped using my duster on my black car, because I know that no matter how gently I use it, some very light swirls are sometimes generated. I have the OXO duster.

Even though your car is driven very infrequently, I think I would "feel" that it would be safer to use a rinseless wash product (like ONR or Griot's Waterless Spray-on Wash) than to use a duster. But I have no evidence to back up this feeling. The simple fact is, whenever we touch our cars for whatever reason we risk swirling the paint.

If you like the swiffer results, then by all means, swiffer on!

[buda]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Nothing wrong with water to wash a car be sure to use plenty of water and foamy suds each time you clean a different area of the car.

If you do not like water then try waterless wash, it does work very well, especially on a vehicle that is not too dirty.

Waterless Wash 'n Shine; Dri Wash 'n Guard; Freedom Wash are some of the better products on the market.

Regards

[tcope1]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

IMHO if swirl marks are being created you won't notice them until they start to accumulate. I also would not use a swifter type dusting pad... I'd use a MF towel instead if you are not going to wash. I'd also use it in conjunction with a Quick Detailer of some type. This is for only light dust. If any more then this, I'd wash the vehicle.

[blacksnake99]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Just out of curiosity, what swiffer/duster are you using?

I use the regular Swiffer 360.

www swiffer com/en_US/duster.do[/url]

When someone told me about this I was very suspicious, but I have been amazed what a LIGHT touch will remove. My car tends to collect road grit on its tail. A couple light passes with the Swiffer and the grit is gone. When I use the detail spray I see no dirt on the microfiber. I will look into the waterless car washes too.

Thanks for the help. I am a freak about swirl!

[blacksnake99]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Nothing wrong with water to wash a car be sure to use plenty of water and foamy suds each time you clean a different area of the car.

If you do not like water then try waterless wash, it does work very well, especially on a vehicle that is not too dirty.

Waterless Wash 'n Shine; Dri Wash 'n Guard; Freedom Wash are some of the better products on the market.

After looking at the waterless washes, I don't know that I see the difference between those and a high lubricity spray detailer. In fact I would think that spraying them on the grit and wiping would be worse. DO the washes magically encapsulate the grit or something?

[blacksnake99]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Nothing wrong with water to wash a car be sure to use plenty of water and foamy suds each time you clean a different area of the car.

If you do not like water then try waterless wash, it does work very well, especially on a vehicle that is not too dirty.

After looking at the waterless washes, I am not sure I understand the difference between waterless wash and using a high lubricity spray detailer. In fact it seems that spraying the wash on the grit and wiping would be worse, unless the wash magically encapsulates the dirt or whatever. Anyone know the chemical differences?

[akimel]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

After looking at the waterless washes, I am not sure I understand the difference between waterless wash and using a high lubricity spray detailer. In fact it seems that spraying the wash on the grit and wiping would be worse, unless the wash magically encapsulates the dirt or whatever. Anyone know the chemical differences?

Good question. I wish I knew the answer. Optimum does claim that ONR's polymers encapsulate dirt--maybe it is magic. I do not know if the lubricants of most quick detailers (e.g., Last Touch) accomplish the same task.

[Newport Viper]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

I have used CC duster for years followed by Meguiars quick detailers with no ill effects of the paint...

[ColonelCash]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Anyone know what the swiffer material is made from? If its what I use on my floors, it feels a bit too harsh for paint...maybe even has a polyester feel to the floor pads? They must have some type of bite to work at all.

A good scratch test would be to take the swiffer pad (or whatever its called) and run it over the shiny side of a CD. That should let you know if it instills scratches or not.

[blacksnake99]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

I have used CC duster for years followed by Meguiars quick detailers with no ill effects of the paint...

thats good to hear! You are lucky enough to have a silver car thought!

PS- nice Viper!

[blacksnake99]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

Anyone know what the swiffer material is made from? If its what I use on my floors, it feels a bit too harsh for paint...maybe even has a polyester feel to the floor pads? They must have some type of bite to work at all.

A good scratch test would be to take the swiffer pad (or whatever its called) and run it over the shiny side of a CD. That should let you know if it instills scratches or not.

This is NOT the Swiffer for the floor. It is the duster version. See the link above (sorry not clickable..... I don't have enough posts yet)

I haven't tried the CD test yet but I will tell you that it is a very soft, fluffy material that really grabs dirt. It even ***** up brake dust with the lightest touch. I really don't see how it could scratch anything.... it's soft as a babys a$$!

[Poki]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

I don't think it's a good idea to use the same duster on brake dust and then on your paint. I would prefer using a separate duster for the wheels. I don't wash my car the traditional way unless it gets real dirty either. I have found the ONR does a much better job of removing heavy dust and leaves a nice gloss. I typically use UQD daily for the light dust and fingerprints.

[blacksnake99]

Re: Swiffer no-wash method. Good or bad??

I don't think it's a good idea to use the same duster on brake dust and then on your paint. I would prefer using a separate duster for the wheels.

Couldn't agree more. Usual method is to use a new Swiffer on upper surfaces, then as it gets dirty I use it on lower surfaces (under valance and behind wheels). Last step is to use the already dusty Swiffer on wheels. NEVER does it touch a painted surface after wheels. I also like that they are cheap enough to throw away after each use. Will use 2 or 3 if needed!