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Am I Doing Something Wrong?


Blackdevil77

Question

I love all of the Adams products and never had a problem with anything. The ONLY thing I seem to be having a bit of a problem with is drying the car with the waffle weave great white microfiber towel. For some reason, it always seems to leave very very light, fine surface scratches in the finish. I don't even want to call them swirls marks or anything, they are VERY fine and light, but it's still happening regardless. I'm pretty sure the washing process isn't the culprit, I was very careful and paid very close attention to everything I was doing every step of the way, and the scratches appear to be coming from drying the car. I don't press hard or anything, I fold the towel, and let the weight of my hand do the drying. 

 

The biggest, most noticeable scratches are on the tail light high gloss plastic areas. The Adams paint correction polish and finishing polishes get rid of the scratches with ease, I just would rather not have the scratches happen in the first place. 

 

Here's the plastic by the tail lights that I'm talking about. Car is a 2014 Shelby GT500. You can't really see the scratches in the pictures, but they're there. 

 

DSC00011_zpsrby7huvv.jpg

 

DSC00128_zpsuuhve8my.jpg

 

 

Here's the car

 

DSC00150_zpsicxfmhzn.jpg

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I find the waffle towels does cause light scratching marks as well. I always dry with detail spray. I find that it's next to impossible not to introduce some scratching/swirl if you wipe anything on the car. Dirt or even the towel itself can cause some light marks.

Edited by BigBlue2007
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Thanks for the responses guys,

 

I have a shop vac that has a side that blows air with some pretty decent force. I use that to help me dry the car to get the water out of the crevices. 

 

Do you use DS as a drying agent? It allow your GW  to glide over your paint.....less friction.

Have you considered a Master Blaster?

 

The first time I didn't, but after I did some paint correction, the next time I washed the car I did and it did help, but still didn't eliminate the scratching completely. 

 

I find the waffle towels does cause light scratching marks as well. I always dry with detail spray. I find that it's next to impossible not to introduce some scratching/swirl if you wipe anything on the car. Dirt or even the towel itself can cause some light marks.

 

I noticed that. Somebody I know insisted I try using a chamois (that rubbery feeling thing) so I bought one of those and I'm gonna give a shot the next time I wash. I can't imagine it hurting anything, it doesn't feel like it would scratch. 

 

Some people have better luck with the plush towels for drying. Give the jumbo plush a try and see how it does for you.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a shot the next time I wash. I have 2 of those. 

Edited by Blackdevil77
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^^^this. And the blue plush sales go for a great cause. The jumbo plush towels are GREAT for the ultimate soft touch while drying. Also be sure you are using Detail Spray or diluted Rinseless for drying.

 

I only use waffle weaves after drying with rinseless washing because of the ultra lubrication with Rinseless. When traditional washing I only use the jumbo plush towels.

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I have soft clear on my hood and harder clear on the rest of my truck. I have to use a plush drying towel on my hood and then I use a waffle weave on the rest of my truck. The waffle tends to leave small scratches like you are describing.

 

I use Rinseless Wash diluted with a drying agent.

 

Regardless perfect paint doesn't stay perfect forever, as you wash it, over time it will scratch and accumulate minor swirls.

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Thanks for the responses guys,

 

I have a shop vac that has a side that blows air with some pretty decent force. I use that to help me dry the car to get the water out of the crevices. 

 

 

This could be part of your issue.  The Shop Vac could likely have small dust particles that are blowing on the car when you are drying it.  A device that only blows would be a better option - a Metro Vac Sidekick or Master Blaster, or an electric leaf blower.

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I have soft clear on my hood and harder clear on the rest of my truck. I have to use a plush drying towel on my hood and then I use a waffle weave on the rest of my truck. The waffle tends to leave small scratches like you are describing.

 

I use Rinseless Wash diluted with a drying agent.

 

Regardless perfect paint doesn't stay perfect forever, as you wash it, over time it will scratch and accumulate minor swirls.

 

Ain't that the truth. I try to refrain from washing my car as much as possible for this reason. I have the super plush towels and detail spray. I dust off the car and then go over it with the detail spray as often as needed before it gets too dirty to do so. As long as I do this, it seems fine, I don't get any scratches. 

 

This could be part of your issue.  The Shop Vac could likely have small dust particles that are blowing on the car when you are drying it.  A device that only blows would be a better option - a Metro Vac Sidekick or Master Blaster, or an electric leaf blower.

 

Interesting. I have a leaf blower also, I'll try using that next time. 

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The tail lights are usually very soft, I've been washing like normal but instead of towel drying I rinse with filtered water and blow dry. On my Charger it has all but eliminated the very light marring. When doing a rinsless I pre soak and blot dry and it seems to work better than 2bw.

The black piece between the tail lights on the newer Mustangs just seems like a nightmare to keep swirl free.

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This could be part of your issue. The Shop Vac could likely have small dust particles that are blowing on the car when you are drying it. A device that only blows would be a better option - a Metro Vac Sidekick or Master Blaster, or an electric leaf blower.

BINGO! If you're using a shop vac you are pushing grit at the paint. The hose will be full of stuff trapped in the ribs of the hose.

 

Don't use a vac as a blower to dry.

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I love all of the Adams products and never had a problem with anything. The ONLY thing I seem to be having a bit of a problem with is drying the car with the waffle weave great white microfiber towel. For some reason, it always seems to leave very very light, fine surface scratches in the finish. I don't even want to call them swirls marks or anything, they are VERY fine and light, but it's still happening regardless. I'm pretty sure the washing process isn't the culprit, I was very careful and paid very close attention to everything I was doing every step of the way, and the scratches appear to be coming from drying the car. I don't press hard or anything, I fold the towel, and let the weight of my hand do the drying. 

 

The biggest, most noticeable scratches are on the tail light high gloss plastic areas. The Adams paint correction polish and finishing polishes get rid of the scratches with ease, I just would rather not have the scratches happen in the first place. 

 

Here's the plastic by the tail lights that I'm talking about. Car is a 2014 Shelby GT500. You can't really see the scratches in the pictures, but they're there. 

 

Hey Mario!

 

I registered literally just to reply to your post.

 

I used to own a '14 Stang and the taillights are literally the softest material I've ever worked on. Everything caused light marring to them.

 

The best suggestion I can provide is to use detailing spray on them when you're drying and it could help. Even diluting rinseless wash 1:16 for the added lubricity might be helpful.

Edited by czdetailing
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Sorry it took me so long to replay, thanks a lot for the responses guys, you guys are great!

 

 

I guarantee that the shop vac is part of your troubles.......that nice car deserves a Master Blaster.

 

 

No more shop vac. I have a leaf blower and for some reason, never thought to try it. I tried it today and it works much nicer than the shop van also. I'll have to get a Master Blaster eventually, but so far I'm loving the leaf blower!

 

How are you dusting off the car?

 

 

I use one of these Swiffer duster things. It's soft as cotton and I barely have to touch the car at all to get the dust off of it. It seems to suck the dust up into it barely touching the surface of the car. I only do this when it has an EXTREMELY light coating of dust on it, or very light pollen. Anything other than a super light coating of dust, and I just wash the car. I replace it before it even looks like it's getting dirty. 

 

I'm pretty anal with this car and notice everything. I have never seen any scratches or anything come from using this duster. 

 

swiffer%20duster_zpsxlm4yk6l.jpg

 

 

Just throwing it out there... Still looks amazing.

 

 

Thank you!!!  :D

 

Hey Mario!

 

I registered literally just to reply to your post.

 

I used to own a '14 Stang and the taillights are literally the softest material I've ever worked on. Everything caused light marring to them.

 

The best suggestion I can provide is to use detailing spray on them when you're drying and it could help. Even diluting rinseless wash 1:16 for the added lubricity might be helpful.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it! They really are insanely soft. I also noticed they're also very easy to fix. It's just very awkward angles to work with. From now on, I'm only gonna air dry and use the double plush microfiber towels on them. 

Edited by Blackdevil77
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BINGO! If you're using a shop vac you are pushing grit at the paint. The hose will be full of stuff trapped in the ribs of the hose.

 

Don't use a vac as a blower to dry.

 

I didn't even think of that. I'm glad I asked on here, no more shop vac for me. 

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