Washed my 2-week old xB for the 2nd time today. I am clueless about how to properly wash/wax/detail a car (honestly, this is the first car where I care how it looks). 1st time I washed it (day I drove it home) I put on a good coat of professional wax (was tutored by a friend). But today when I washed it and dried it with clean, white terri towel I have streaks or swirls. What have I done wrong and how can I fix it?

Thanks

 

What color is your box? Dark colors are very susceptible to streaks and swirls.

The tech section has some links on cleaning your box.

If you have the time, recommend the zaino line of wax and cleaning products. Their Z-5 wax is excellent for removing the swirl marks. Incidentally since your car is new, you really shouldn't have a swirl problem unless you created it when you orignally waxed your box.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

 

First, you will get a LOT of opinions on what to use to wash the car and prevent swirl marks. Make sure you don't use a sponge, use an extremely soft towel. Make sure that if the car is fairly dirty, that you use more than one towel to wash it, since the dirt will be getting stuck in the towel and will act like an abrasive. One of the best towels I've used, are these colored towels ( can't remember the name, but is says something like micro-fine wet-dry or something like that) that I bought at Wal-Mart. The second choice would be a 100% cotton baby diaper.

 

The swirls could be from the dealer - I would take it back and have them properly buff the car ....... I noticed on my hood it looks like someone used a used buff pad - I am not impressed !

 

Thanks all for the advice to the clueless ...

My xB is black - it did not have the swirls when I brought it home or after wash/wax #1. This is definitely something that I did improperly during wash #2. I am going to try some of the suggestions above. I also talked to my stbx today (his late brother was a detailer) and he explained what I did wrong (used wrong stuff to wash it and it stripped off some of the nice wax from wash #1, so I scratched the clear coat). He said some of the same things you folks said above too...

It is raining and cold here today in southern NJ or I would have washed it with the proper stuff today and re-waxed. Probably going to have to wait until the weekend to try and fix.

Will let you know how I make out once it's re-done...

V

 

If you're in S Jersey, then go to Shore Motorsports, 6770 Rt 9 South, Howell and pick up the Zaino starter kit. They're the only distributor in NJ. It's rather pricey, but IMHO well worth it, esp since you have a black box which will show every swirl. On the other hand, once you give it the full Zaino treatment, you'll be amazed at the results.

 

i think the swirling is from when you dry it, or if you're not making sure the wash mit is clean while washing. thats why i started using the mr. clean auto dry car wash stuff... it works great, and i dont have to dry the box. this is the first time that ive ever washed it in the noon sun, and it still cleaned up great.

 

are you only using one towel? i might be a problem since the towel would be wet after the first panel. try using more than one towel and changing towels often. also i dont think there is a need to wax your car after every wash. i wax every 6 months and the car looks great.

 

One of my favorite sites is www.autopia.org check out the "learn" section. Lots of folks there willing to help others into the "fold". Don't be afraid to ask questions in the forums either.

 

Try a product called Zymol it is an awsome wax!
No chemicals are added to it, it is all organic.

For black with swirl marks I would first go out and Buy the Meguiars clay bar kit and clay bar where you have your swirls to take the old wax off. Then Pick up the Meguiars "Scratch X" and follow the directions, It will take most scratches, and swirls out. Then follow it up with a nice coat of Zymol. You will be amazed with the product and the price, its fairly cheap!

Dont forget to wash your car before you clay bar, scratch x, and wax.

Use only 100% cotton towels, and dont use absorbers to dry.
You might want to also try the Mr. Clean Auto Dry System, I used it on my SRT and was surprised at how well it worked.

Those are some idea's, hope they work!
Brian

 

yeah the scracth X really works great! I use that when I see the swirls, just I always run out becuase the tube isn't very big. So you might need a second bottle. :D

 

...very good recommendations! do your self a favor and go to target or wal mart and buy those cloth diapers...they are the best.

youre never really going to get rid of swirls...period. unless you "color-sand" the car...which means having the clear coat sanded off...and only applying excellent car wax to your car...several coats...over time. WHY? swirls are not in the paint...but the clear coat. check with any reputable detailer or body shop, and they can tell you about color-sanding...its a very delicate process and should not be done to daily drivers...at least i wouldnt do it on mine. i recommend a wax that has carnuba like mothers (or click the link in sig to get the best wax). also use a quick detail spray. good luck!

 

First make sure the cloth you use to clean and dry are clean. Try hoseing the dirt off first then use a good soap made for cars. Rinse the car, and repeat the process a second time this will take off all the dirt. Be sure you change the water in your bucket and add more soap during the second time. I owned my car for almost a year and have no swirl marks or hazing marks. Sometimes you need to use a cleaner that will take off the swirl marks and very fine scratches because the dirt will adhere to the paint and soap will not remove it, try Mothers or Wax Shop cleaner.

 

Don't dry it with a towel, I'd bet that's where the scratches are coming from. Pick up one of those absorbant synthetic chamois to dry it with. The new ones are great, almost feels like rubber but sucks the water right up. I even used it to wipe some waterspots off when the car was dry, just wetted the thing a little and dabbed the spots, not even a little scratch. I think it was called The Absorber, bought it at target for like $8.

The micro-fiber towels are really nice too, for waxing and stuff.

 

Hey all! What's the best way to remove the water spots on the roof? :?

 

...dry your car immediatley...

 

DUDE!...YOU ALL NEED TO GET MR. CLEAN AUTO DRY THATS HOW YOU GET SPOTS OFF THE ROOF.

 

Thanks Eddy and Na'im but, what if they have been waxed over already is it as simple as giving it another wash and drying it more thoroughly? :?

Al.Truistic
aB