Surface Scratches after Washing

[trembly01]

decided to give my new truck a bath over the weekend, I used the two bucket method and Meguiar's Gold wash. I have an Absorber that I use
to dry the truck off. I don't know whether its my technique or the wash sponge I was using or something that was in the Absorber but after
drying off the truck I noticed several scratches in the clear coat on various parts of the truck. Wouldn't be so bad but its a black metallic color so
the scratches stick out pretty easy. Can anyone help me out with what might have caused these so I can prevent this from happening in the future. Also what kind of products can I use to help hide these scratches? Will a coat of UW help or should I try something else ? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I will try to upload some pictures later today.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

Sorry to hear about the trouble trembly01. You are correct that your washing accessories are likely contributing to this issue. We would recommend a high quality microfiber wash mitt, like our X3002 Microfiber Wash Mittor similar. If you check it out, you can tell by the design of the product that is working to trap contaminants in the mitt when one is using it to wash a vehicle, along with a car wash like our Gold Class. We are also big fans of microfiber drying towels, like our X2000 Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel or similar. If we were to compare to a chamois or synthetic chamois, a microfiber drying towel is a much softer material and is going to be more gentle on our scratch sensitive clear coat paint. Another note comparing the two is that a chamois is completely flat, when drying the vehicle, essentially if you were to miss an area during washing, or something got trapped in your chamois, the chamois is going to rub any contaminants right back into the paint since it is completely flat. Whereas a microfiber drying towel will try to capture the contaminant in the towel, greatly lessening the chance of it scratching the paint.

As far as hiding the scratches, a coat of wax may hide a defect temporarily, but we prefer to permanently remove them, by using one of our paint cleaner or compounds like our Ultimate Polish or Ultimate Compound.

As far as uploading a picture, you can upload it to the gallery within the forum, and then once uploaded, right click on the image, select copy image, and then paste it into your post.

We hope this information was helpful. Post up some pictures of your accessories also!

[Blueline]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

Barring the possibility of the scratches being there before the wash, it is possible you put them there.
1. a lambs wool wash mitt is a must for me.
2. don't dry your car like you are drying dishes...lay the towel flat and pull it over the surface, using only the weight of the towel.
3. Alternatively use a leaf blower
4. Without a drying towel, or leaf blower, if you have a good wax on, take the hose nozzle off, and let the water run gentle from the top down. Most fo the water will sheet off.
5. As Nicholas states, it is better to correct scratches than to hide them.

[Ralph III]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

Hey Trembly01,

Sorry to hear about your problem but hopefully it can be corrected easily. You've been given some good advice but I'll throw my two cents in having managed a detail business for 14 years.

1. Your synthetic chamois (absorber) is most likely the culprit. Those are not porous and will simply drag dirt/sand across your paint. They won't lift and trap contaminants like a natural chamois, which was always the gold standard. The microfiber towels are even better and it's all I use today.

2. I prefer a sponge or a microfiber/sponge combo! Those wash out easier and they hold more soap. Therefore you are less likely to cause damage to the paint versus other mitts. You just have to be sure it is made for automotive washing because they are more porous. Lake Country makes and excellent one,bty.

3. Be sure to wash the top and then the sides. Save the very bottom of the vehicle last for washing and drying.

4. The Water Magnet gets descent reviews but there are other waffle weaves that a better or rated better. These would include one's by Griots Garage, the Rag Company (Dry Me a River and Pluffle), the Cobra Guzzler and maybe Chemical Guys.

5. You may also wish to use a spray detail-er or spray wax during the drying process. These add some lubrication to the drying process which makes drying safer and it offers additional protection. I really like the Eagle One products.


6. You can try Meguiars M205 to remove the scratches via hand or DA. A DA would produce better results. If the scratches are to severe then I'd recommend moving to something like M101, followed by M205. Those are absolutely phenomenal products. It really depends on the severity of the scratches and the tools available to you.

Let us know how it goes.

God Bless,
Ralph

[allenk4]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

Great job Ralph

I know this is an Open Forum and you Can discuss all products/brands, but you just suggested 6 non-Meguiar's products in three different categories

I personally consider that poor form

[Ralph III]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

Great job Ralph

I know this is an Open Forum and you Can discuss all products/brands, but you just suggested 6 non-Meguiar's products in three different categories

I personally consider that poor form

Well bless your little heart!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I offer advice, I always offer the best advice that I can. I never suggest someone buy an item simply because of a name brand and I give little credence to people who do such.

1) Meguiars Ultimate Wax is one of the best waxes I've ever used.

2) Meguiars M101 is probably the best compound I have ever used. I've put a buffer on between 12k and 15k vehicles through the years professionally, btw.

3) Meguiars M205 is one of the best, if not the best, polish I have ever used.

4) Meguiars Car Wash Soap is one of the best made. I use it in addition to Mothers and Eagle One (with wax additives).

5) Meguiars DA buffers are some of the best made. I own both the G110v2 and the MT300.


I own, use, and highly recommend each and every one of the above items.


Their waffle weave towel gets good reviews but the one's I mentioned get even better reviews. Their microfiber wash mitt is excellent as well. I simply pointed out that Lake Country makes an excellent "Sponge" if the OP wanted to stick with that -vs- a microfiber mitt. The Eagle One products are quite affordable and the Nano Wax offers features most others do not, which would include UV protection. I'm sure Meguiars spray wax is excellent as well. Does it offer UV protection?

Take care,
Ralph

[The Guz]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

If you are referring to the LC wash wedge, the Meguiar's microfiner wash mitt is better. I own both.

I have a few water magnets and they are pretty good. Like all waffle weaves they become hard after many uses. I have gone to plush drying towels myself and have dedicated my older water magnets to glass cleaning towels.

[Blueline]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

[QUOTE=Ralph III;572437]Well bless your little heart!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

/QUOTE]

PRICELESS!!.

[Ralph III]

Re: Surface Scratches after Washing

If you are referring to the LC wash wedge, the Meguiar's microfiner wash mitt is better. I own both.

I have a few water magnets and they are pretty good. Like all waffle weaves they become hard after many uses. I have gone to plush drying towels myself and have dedicated my older water magnets to glass cleaning towels.

Hey Guz,
No I was referring to the inexpensive LC Cubed blue sponge. Those are quite a bit safer than most sponges because the cubed areas safely trap contaminants. He could go all out and purchase a natural sea sponge, which is also quite popular among many car enthusiasts/pros; if he prefers a sponge over a wash mitt.

I was simply giving the OP a possibly safer "sponge" alternative than what he may have used to wash his vehicle with. There is no doubt the Meguiars microfiber wash mitt is excellent though.

Take care,
Ralph