Bummed out! Getting some scratches

[Odiesback]

 

Hi all,

 

Both of my cars are brand new and I have washed them with only Adam's methods and products since day one.

Two bucket wash (actually two, but only the rinse one has the grit

guard).

 

Now I started to notice some light scratches when looked in the sun at

certain angles. They appear to be very shallow and go in straight lines.

They're all around the car, but not in swirl shapes, only straight lines.

 

I dont know what I am doing wrong, the only thing I can think of is the

wash mitts/pads are getting old and could be retaining some dirt.

 

The products I have been using are:

- Adam's car shampoo

- Clay

- Revive car polish

- Quick Sealant

- Americana wax

 

Any thoughts why I am getting those scratches and best way to remove them?

 

Thanks

[Captain Slow]

Post up some pics if you can to give us a better idea of what you're looking at please.

[camaro2ssblack]

Completely normal. Anyone who says their swirls don't reappear eventually is a flat out liar. Do you really think polish manufacturers would stay in business if it was a one time process? All you can do is wash and maintain the best of your ability and be prepared to polish two or three times a year.

[Feets31]

Two bucket wash limits scratches, but does not eliminate all of them. It is very important to clean you wash pads and comb them out. I have considered usually 3 pads -- tops, upper sides and bottom. Maybe a fourth on the front where the bugs collect.

 

Straight lines sounds like something was dragged across it. Are they all over or only in certain places?

[GXPaycheck]

Two bucket wash limits scratches, but does not eliminate all of them. It is very important to clean you wash pads and comb them out. I have considered usually 3 pads -- tops, upper sides and bottom. Maybe a fourth on the front where the bugs collect.

 

Straight lines sounds like something was dragged across it. Are they all over or only in certain places?

 

Ditto! Check your wash pads for contaminants. Towels too. And grab another grit guard. I use them in all my buckets.

How do you clean your wash pads?

[Chobbs]

Possibly from claying.

 

If I am going to clay the car I also plan to polish it to remove any marring from the claying process that is so common. (revive polish won't cut it)

 

Also like others have said, no matter what, the swirls will return. The two bucket system only reduces the swirling to a minimum, it does not eliminate it completely.

 

My advice is get a kit for polishing with the more aggressive polishes for your new cars. It will not go unused!

[Odiesback]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

sportmistress:

- I will try to get a picture of the area. They're hard to see unless under

bright sun.

 

camaro and feets31:

Somewhat relieved to hear that this is a normal occurence - would hate

to think I was doing something completely wrong after all the effort put

into it.

The lines are spreaded out. They're not straight in relation to each other but

straight lines, it brings to mind a sky with a bunch of shooting stars, if you will.

 

GX:

I rinse my pads against the guard, soak them with high pressure water holding them in the air, then more rinse and finally quick waving them in the

air to dry.

 

Chobbs: what products/kit do you think for hand polishing?

 

Thanks again. much appreciated.

[THE Mook]

Mornin!

 

Any success you see out of correcting your paint by hand will be minimal. It will shine up real nice, but the SHR polish needs to operate at 6,000 OPM I order to kill your swirls.

 

A second Grit Guard is just as important as the first when utilizing two buckets for washing. Another good idea would be to use an air dryer like the Master Blaster to help reduce the times you actually touch the paint. The Sidekick is also a nice tool to have.

[scootertrash19]

Sounds like it may happen during the drying process, what are you using to dry the car? I only use Adams Great white towels, their great!

[jimboman]

And use lightest pressure you can get away with when using any towel or wash pad.

[ChargerMatt]

There's always going to be swirls. There will always be dirt and dust flying around you can't see.

 

That gets on your wash hit, towel, on your car.

[Chobbs]

I would recommend getting a machine. The hand polishing is too much work for so so results.

[Odiesback]

Great stuff here that I have not thought of before.

 

I use Adams big drying towel and just like mentioned by fellow member:

I think I miht be putting too much pressure on the pads while washing and

towels while drying.

 

I tend to try to remove any spec of stubborn dirt stuck to the paint, and

by doing so I might be getting the scratches - My cars are white and it is

easy to spot contaminations. Maybe I should leave them alone and

remove after I dry the cars.

 

I will look into getting a machine because I want to take care of it now, since

they're still few and far apart.

 

Thank you all

[GXPaycheck]

Do you mist the with Detail Spray prior to drying? It might help prevent some scratching and it really helps the shine!

 

Make sure there is no dust or dirt on the pads/towels prior to use. There's always stuff flying around my house. I usually blow dry the car and use the DS/drying towel combo after.

[Odiesback]

Do you mist the with Detail Spray prior to drying? It might help prevent some scratching and it really helps the shine!

 

Make sure there is no dust or dirt on the pads/towels prior to use. There's always stuff flying around my house. I usually blow dry the car and use the DS/drying towel combo after.

 

Yes, I use the Detail Spray/towel after

doing the flooding technique.

 

DS is a great product! I buy it by the gallons.

[GXPaycheck]

I take an old hair brush to my wash pads after they dry to get anything left in there out. That might help.