1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I agree with Bryce. The following is my $.02.
For washing:
Black cars especially should be kept away from automatic car washes.
Use one of the special car wash concentrate solutions (dish soap will strip off old wax). Make it as soapy as possible - the suds act as a lubricant and keep dirt, etc. from scratching the paint. The wash mit is perfect since the dirt gets lodged in the nap of the wool, and lessens the chance that you'll scratch the paint with it. I have about 3 or 4 wash mits. I use the newest one for the top of the car, the next one for below the "belt line" and the third for wheels/ undercarage, etc. I usually buy a new one every couple months, and cycle them through.
To dry the car, I recommend starting with the california water blade. It makes drying the roof/ windows, hood so much easier. If used properly, it WILL NOT scratch your paint. (It's silicon and very flexible)... It won't get into the nooks and crannies, but really speeds up the cleaning process. To dry the rest use a 100% cotton towel, make sure it says MADE IN THE USA. The fieldcrest/ Cannon towels are the best. Any cheap towels made in singapore or whatever (even if it says 100% cotton) are made with a polyester backing and it WILL scratch your paint.
For wax:
I use Zaino Bro's show car products. It is very expensive, and requires many coats, but I haven't found anything that looks better or goes on and off easier. Use a cotton wax applicator and remove the product using the same 100% cotton towels.
People have recomended the 3M swirl mark remover with good results.. might be worth a try for the scuff marks.
Check out the Zaino Site for some good advice: http://www.zainobros.com
You can buy irregular fieldcrest towels for a fraction of the retail price from their website: http://fieldcrestcannonoutlet.site.yahoo.net/royalvelvet.html
I will not let anyone else wash my car. (Not even the dealer) If anybody dries your car with a dirty towel, or washes it with a dirty sponge, you will have all kinds of scratches/ swirls. Check out what they are using at any of those "hand" car washes. But then again, I am really anal about it. There's no better way to enjoy a new car than spending an hour outside every week washing it.. Good luck. :-)
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