Swirl prevention on a new black car

[fromthecoast]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

I am far from a detailing expert, but I am better than the average person. First step IMHO, is to wash using the two bucket method. That is a must with a black car. The next biggest thing is having a DA because you WILL need it to get some swirling, etc. out of the paint. There is just no way to avoid it, in my experience. This is especially true if it is a DD or at the least frequently driven.

[Sandstone]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Other than what the others have posted, as far as washing/drying induced swirls I'm a believer in unidirectional paint contact or UPC (I just made this up). Use a Megs microfiber wash mit b/c they are great and try not to rub in circles with the mit or your drying towel. Wipe in a back and forth motion. This way when (not if) you scratch the paint all lines will be basically in one direction and will be less offensive to the eye.

[tcy006]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

As the owner of a black Mustang since March of 1993, I concur that it is a part time job keeping it clean. My friends and family used to say "you're going to wash the paint off that car!" But when it is clean, there is nothing better. Now at the tender age of 17 she indeed does need painted, much to their delight. Stick with it, it is worth the work.

[KC's]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

hi CHROMEDCRUISEr
thanks for bring up this thread

Swirls is unavoidable....is this a show room car or DD...both are bound to dust & dirt ..one would have more exposure than another.........therefore more fequent wash & chances of instilling swirls are greater....

preventing further & deeper scratches - all our fellow forumer says is very good n sound advise

i did mine monthly 60 minutes details

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39778

[searle]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Also, keep in mind that the Wax/Sealant layer is a "sacraficial protection layer" to help protect the underlying paint. Hence you want to keep an extremely good layer on a Black car, with regular re-application of your wax, so that it (the wax) absorbes as much of the minor swirls as possible.

Another good reason to very regularly re-wax your car, especially if black. Just be careful to wipe down as gently as possible and with good MFs (as as previously said, to was with 2 bucket method and grit guards, and pat dry).

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Follow the tried and true advice. 2 Bucket method, grit guards, waffle weave drying towels and use the G110, Black cars are a thing of beauty when detailed right. this will go along way in keeping your paint looking great.

Enjoy your new ride.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

WOW! First off thank you all for replying to this thread, lots of useful information. Now for a little more information on my wash process and the car.

I have not been using the two bucket method, but just googled it and plan to start using it the next time I wash the car. I fully expect to have some swirls on the finish, but just didn't expect to have them so soon. I suspect that some were from the dealer and that I've also added a few of my own. My washing process as follows:

1. Use the high pressure rinse hose at the local do-it-yourself car wash and rinse car
2. Fill bucket with meguiar's car wash and water
3. Soak microfiber sponge
4. Re-rinse
5. Wash car from top down, using a separate microfiber sponge for the wheels after the body is washed and rinsed
6. Give the car a final rinse
7. Dry the car from top down using waffle weave towel

Before I am heckled, I live in an apartment complex that does not have a car wash area or hose bibs, so I'm forced to use the local place which is about 2 miles away. My next question is what should I do when I am ready to re-wax the car and have to drive back home to wax, should I give the car a quick detail to remove any dust/pollen that's collected on the ride home?

My previous car was a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser which I kept immaculate and received a lot of compliments and questions as to how it looked so clean. I suppose I've upped the ante with a black mustang.

Another question, I purchased a bottle of meguiar's natural shine for the exterior vinyl. Is there any method for preventing it from spraying or running onto the paint finish?

Thank you again for all of the great information.

[Blueline]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

so I'm forced to use the local place which is about 2 miles away.

If you are able to remove the nozzle and let the water run over it at low pressure for the final rinse,, most will just run off on a waxed vehicle, thereby less drying with a towel. If it is one of those pressure spray washes, you might be out of luck.
Also, when drying, lay the towel on the car, let it absorbe the water, and slowly and gently pull the towel off. Rubbing the towel all over will only cause marks.
Lover and hater of my black beauty.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Welcome to MOL, ChromedCruiser! I recognized the name from PTCrew, as well as the shot of the Mustang!


Blueline's comment about doing a final rinse with just a mild but steady stream of water will do wonders to sheet the water off the surface. That way, instead of having to dry billions and billions (thank you, Carl Sagan!) of beads of water you'll only need to remove a few. The less you touch the surface the less chance you have of putting swirls in it - that includes while drying.

It is also really important to use a delicate touch when washing. We've seen people literally scrubbing the paint, and that's just wrong. Obviously the two bucket method is important, but lacking that you can at least rinse your wash mitt or microfiber sponge with the hose after each panel. You might want to trade that microfiber sponge for a microfiber mitt though, or even a natural lambswool mitt.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Hey Michael, I'm guessing you're Mike-In-Orange from the crew? Always enjoyed watching your car grow so-to-speak and become modified, it's a sharp looking PT.

Back on point. I do not have the ability to run water over the vehicle, though that does sound like a good idea to ease the drying process. I've been using the waffle-weave towel as follows, I will lay it on the paint and sort of fold it into itself to absorb the water, is this a good technique or is there a better one out there? Also, and this one is directed more towards Mike, what do you suggest I do once I get back from washing the car and plan to wax, do I need to hit it with some quick detailer to remove any collected dust from the trip home or what do you suggest? We also have pretty hard water out here in San Antonio, anything special I can to do to prevent the increased likelihood of water spots?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Hey Michael, I'm guessing you're Mike-In-Orange from the crew? Always enjoyed watching your car grow so-to-speak and become modified, it's a sharp looking PT.

Yes, that's me! And thanks for the kind words.

Back on point. I do not have the ability to run water over the vehicle, though that does sound like a good idea to ease the drying process. I've been using the waffle-weave towel as follows, I will lay it on the paint and sort of fold it into itself to absorb the water, is this a good technique or is there a better one out there? Also, and this one is directed more towards Mike, what do you suggest I do once I get back from washing the car and plan to wax, do I need to hit it with some quick detailer to remove any collected dust from the trip home or what do you suggest? We also have pretty hard water out here in San Antonio, anything special I can to do to prevent the increased likelihood of water spots?

Here's a way around the final rinse to sheet water off the car: bring along a second bucket, a small one should suffice. Before the timer cuts off your water supply fill it with water. Heck, fill it with water first and then set it aside while you wash the car. As a final rinse, slowly pour water out of the bucket and over the car. This will accomplish much the same task, sheeting the beads from the surface.

At that point you should easily be able to dry with a couple of Water Magnets. Of course, the way the PT holds water you're probably seeing some little tracer spots when you do get home, but a quick follow up with Ultimate Quik Detailer or similar will take care of those. It will also remove any dust you may picked up on the drive home, making the surface fully clean so you can go ahead and wax, or even get to work with a paint cleaner.

As far as preventing water spots........ not much you can really do about that. Best thing is to keep the car well waxed and attend to any spots as soon as possible, if not sooner. That's why many of us carry a bottle of quick detail spray and a microfiber or two in the trunk. You know that pocket in the back of the PT on the driver's side? Yep, it was specifically made to hold Meguiar's detailing accessories.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Thanks for the tips Mike. I will bring along an extra container for water. Sadly though the PT is gone, traded against the mustang. Though now that I have a true trunk I'll toss a bottle of quick detailer and a couple microfiber towels back there.

Also, I picked up a bottle of the natural shine rubber/vinyl protectant to use on the trim running around the bottom edge of the Mustang but it seems to run or spray onto the paint after a few miles of driving, any tips to prevent the runoff? I apply it using a terry cloth.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Thanks for the tips Mike. I will bring along an extra container for water. Sadly though the PT is gone, traded against the mustang. Though now that I have a true trunk I'll toss a bottle of quick detailer and a couple microfiber towels back there.

See, when I'm sick like I am right now I shouldn't work because my brain doesn't always fire on all cylinders!!!

Also, I picked up a bottle of the natural shine rubber/vinyl protectant to use on the trim running around the bottom edge of the Mustang but it seems to run or spray onto the paint after a few miles of driving, any tips to prevent the runoff? I apply it using a terry cloth.

For exterior trim our new Ultimate Protectant is a much better choice. It dries completely dry to the touch and doesn't sling off, or even wash off after even a handful of washes. If you continue using Natural Shine on exterior trim you need to apply it very, very thin and/or make sure you wipe the panel down with a clean, dry towel a few minutes after application. But for best results, switch to UP for this external trim.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Re: Swirl prevention on a new black car

Well, finally had a weekend without rain so I decided to give the two bucket method a shot. Worked like a charm, brought the car home, went over it with some QD, then a coat of swirlX which seems to have worked pretty well on the fine swirls I've already picked up and it also removed all of the water spots that have accumulated. Then I applied a coat of NXT 2.0 and wow, does that stuff ever lay down and remove easily. Mustang looks great, I'll try and get a few pictures up this afternoon.

Mike, I have not been able to find a bottle of Ultimate Protectant, I've looked at Target and AutoZone, any ideas where it might be found?