can't believe i messed up a car wash
01-21-15, 08:31 PM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
can't believe i messed up a car wash
I finished hand washing and drying my car yesterday. It was the third wash my car has received. What did i find the next day? Scratches on the hood 
I was so careful. I used the two bucket method, the right cleaning tools and microfiber cloths for drying.. I don't know what I did wrong but I guess I gotta get them buffed out. So upset with myself.
Anyone ever had a similar experience?
I was so careful. I used the two bucket method, the right cleaning tools and microfiber cloths for drying.. I don't know what I did wrong but I guess I gotta get them buffed out. So upset with myself.
Anyone ever had a similar experience?
01-22-15, 03:39 AM
#5
Try wiping the hood with some quick detailer.
It might just be that the scratches are just in the wax layer and comes from the microfiber.
Especially if the car is black, this will show.
Try using a different wax and softer MF towels.
It might just be that the scratches are just in the wax layer and comes from the microfiber.
Especially if the car is black, this will show.
Try using a different wax and softer MF towels.
01-22-15, 04:18 AM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Its amazing how scratches happen when we are so careful. I have several cars that I can care less about and they are always perfect and never have blemishes. I find the cars that we park far away and take extra steps to make sure that they are protected seems to always get the door dings and or blemishes. Go figure.
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01-22-15, 04:46 AM
#8
Pole Position
Thread Starter
01-22-15, 05:05 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Car coating examples - CarPro Cquartz series, Optimum Opticoat series, Gtechniq stuff, Polish Angel Cosmic.
01-22-15, 05:11 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Don't feel bad either. I take the utmost care of my Camaro, and every time I wash that poor thing, I spend 3 hrs washing, and another 1hr polishing to get her to pristine condition.
No matter what you do, a sponge...a microfiber cloth...anything with just 1 piece of small dirt will scratch your car. You just have to hope not too badly so you can fix it.
01-22-15, 09:21 AM
#11
just to clarify, when you're doing the two bucket wash, you are using the grit guards right? if not, then the two bucket wash method would be pointless.
one thing i've worked into my washing process is to have two mf sponges. i use one sponge to wash the hood, roof, trunk front bumper, windows, and upper half of the body (doors). Once i'm done, i'll poor out the nasty water and soap and refill with new in both buckets and use a second dedicated mf sponge for the lower half (dirtier half) of the car and rear bumper. if i can't find my second sponge, i'll clean the first one fairly well and reuse for the second half. this makes sure your dirtiest parts are cleaned last so you don't introduce them to other areas midway through the wash.
one thing i've worked into my washing process is to have two mf sponges. i use one sponge to wash the hood, roof, trunk front bumper, windows, and upper half of the body (doors). Once i'm done, i'll poor out the nasty water and soap and refill with new in both buckets and use a second dedicated mf sponge for the lower half (dirtier half) of the car and rear bumper. if i can't find my second sponge, i'll clean the first one fairly well and reuse for the second half. this makes sure your dirtiest parts are cleaned last so you don't introduce them to other areas midway through the wash.
01-22-15, 10:08 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Do not buff if its not necessary. Thats how you wear down a clear coat. Start with a mild polish and do it by hand. It will take some time and wear your arm out, but the amount of clear coat removed will be MUCH less than using a buffer. Don't feel bad either. I take the utmost care of my Camaro, and every time I wash that poor thing, I spend 3 hrs washing, and another 1hr polishing to get her to pristine condition. No matter what you do, a sponge...a microfiber cloth...anything with just 1 piece of small dirt will scratch your car. You just have to hope not too badly so you can fix it.
Even with buffer, start with the least aggressive polish as clear coat is precious. It is just thinner than a Post Note (quote from Mike from Autogeek)
Glad to see another member here who spend 2-3 hrs for the car wash. I am not alone. LOL
01-22-15, 10:09 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
just to clarify, when you're doing the two bucket wash, you are using the grit guards right? if not, then the two bucket wash method would be pointless. one thing i've worked into my washing process is to have two mf sponges. i use one sponge to wash the hood, roof, trunk front bumper, windows, and upper half of the body (doors). Once i'm done, i'll poor out the nasty water and soap and refill with new in both buckets and use a second dedicated mf sponge for the lower half (dirtier half) of the car and rear bumper. if i can't find my second sponge, i'll clean the first one fairly well and reuse for the second half. this makes sure your dirtiest parts are cleaned last so you don't introduce them to other areas midway through the wash.
01-22-15, 01:40 PM
#15
Honestly, my obsidian IS is a pain. i did all the things necessary and after 20 washes i began to see swirl marks.... im running on my next few washes and now i don't really care... going to have someone detail it when i get a break from work and i'll kissing it some more then. I took care of my baby so much and then someone hits the car.... dealt with insurance.... then someone nudge me from the back and some scratches that i believe were made from shopping carts.... sigh.... i want to install cameras all around my car but that cant happen.... lols
