some fine scratches inevitable?

[first_timer_FL]

In spite of using a foam gun and the two-bucket wash method and washing at least every other week, I'm still getting a few scratches here and there. I'm pretty sure they weren't put there by anyone except me; the dealer just hosed it off for me, I had a pro detailer clay and wax it for me the first weekend, and I've waxed it once since then.

Am I just being too picky, or is it actually possible to completely avoid scratching the finish? The car still looks great; I got it in white instead of a darker color mainly for that reason, and it still has a great finish; the scratches only show up in really bright sunlight or in the dark when a light hits it the right way.

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[TinMannequin]

I'm in the same boat as you. I wash mine the same way and try to be very careful but still i've ended up with a few scratches here and there. I'll have them buffed out soon and hopefully i can find a better washing technique afterwards to prevent the scratches.

 

[ssyellow]

Swirls or scratches?

Dry using a leaf blower then microfiber wiping from one direction.

 

[MagneticA]

Swirls or scratches?

Dry using a leaf blower then microfiber wiping from one direction.

Agreed.
The less you touch the paint the better. I've had mine for 5 months, wash it by hand every weekend, and I've waxed it twice. No scratch marks. I wash it with a simple stroke moving from front to back. Then I use the other side of the mitt, and move another stroke below the one I just made. Washing is a simple wipe, no scrubbing, and with minimal pressure. After that, I hose her down and then dry using the leaf blower. Microfiber picks up leftover water. Then a few touchups with detailer spray.

 

[Blk2015GT]

If you drive the car micro scratches are inevitable. Even leaves or twigs from trees while parked dropping on the car can micro scratch. Anyone who says that they daily drive their car and has 100% flawless paint 24/7/365 because they have "some super secret wash method" is BSing you; especially those "pro detailers" on the web and youtbue trying to sell their own crap.

I agree though, 2 bucket and touch the paint as little as possible. Leaf blower and microfiber towel to get the remaining 5% of the water left if needed. Blot dont swipe. then your chances of scratches are very low from washing; it won't prevent all scratching obviously from the environment.

 

[GT-T]

New to detailing here but I have a feeling you guys could answer a few questions for me.

1) What is the 2 bucket method?
2) I was always told never to use the leaf blower method because it will blow dust directly into the car, but it seems like everyone uses this method?
3) I have only had the car for one day but in the exact spot of the suns reflection i can see teeny tiny marks. I only washed once today (but i assume the dealer did a wash or two themselves) but I am using the Chemical guys wash mitt to get bugs off and 16x16 microfiber to dry. Is there a better way?
4) If i have a waxing done will this avoid scratches or does it simply make the car look better? Any recommendations on wax?
Thanks

 

[unintelligible]

I've been doing Optimum No Rinse washes in the comfort of my own garage since taking delivery... think I'm at at least 6 washes now. There were some existing swirls from the first dealer wash, I can't see that it's gotten any worse. Other posters are right - no scrubbing just wipe in a single direction, and make sure to clean the sponge after every pass (I wipe mine against a grit guard in the bottom of the bucket)

 

[unintelligible]

New to detailing here but I have a feeling you guys could answer a few questions for me.

1) What is the 2 bucket method?
2) I was always told never to use the leaf blower method because it will blow dust directly into the car, but it seems like everyone uses this method?
3) I have only had the car for one day but in the exact spot of the suns reflection i can see teeny tiny marks. I only washed once today (but i assume the dealer did a wash or two themselves) but I am using the Chemical guys wash mitt to get bugs off and 16x16 microfiber to dry. Is there a better way?
4) If i have a waxing done will this avoid scratches or does it simply make the car look better? Any recommendations on wax?
Thanks

1. Using 1 bucket for clean shampoo, 1 bucket for rinse. I have 2 buckets and Sharpie'd a big C and D on them to separate the two.
2. I've never done the leaf blower because of this reason, too paranoid about shooting sand onto the paint.
3. The dealer for sure introduced some swirl marks, these cars arrive absolutely FILTHY after all of the train & truck travel. Wash wise, just make sure to never drop the sponge, wash in a constant direction, and keep the sponge clean using the 2 bucket method and preferably a grit guard in the bucket to keep the sponge away from the sediment.
4. Mostly making it look better and adding some protectant against UV rays and making it easier to wash next time. Really, if you've got grit in your sponge, it'll go right through wax and into the paint. And you'll get a thousand recommendations on what type of wax to use... sealant vs. carnauba, etc.

 

[Blk2015GT]

New to detailing here but I have a feeling you guys could answer a few questions for me.

1) What is the 2 bucket method?
2) I was always told never to use the leaf blower method because it will blow dust directly into the car, but it seems like everyone uses this method?
3) I have only had the car for one day but in the exact spot of the suns reflection i can see teeny tiny marks. I only washed once today (but i assume the dealer did a wash or two themselves) but I am using the Chemical guys wash mitt to get bugs off and 16x16 microfiber to dry. Is there a better way?
4) If i have a waxing done will this avoid scratches or does it simply make the car look better? Any recommendations on wax?
Thanks

I think #2 is a whole bunch of FUD. You are much more likely to put a micro scratch in wiping with a towel than "dust blowing on the paint" The blower is up in the air not sucking air from on the ground or something. Blowing dust wont scratch anything, its around you 24/7; grit from a towel 100% will scratch because of the wiping motion and pressure on the paint.

 

[tsunami]

I refused to allow my dealer to do a wash during dealer prep. I foam-cannoned it as soon as I got it home, two bucket method, leaf blower + gentle microfiber wipe. Laid down sealer and Collinite. I also use Optimum No-Rinse...plus detailer if the 'wet-look' isn't there.

 

[Blk2015GT]

Gotta be careful with that too. Some dealers hope people don't take the prep and dont see any oops dings or scratches, and then blame them on the customer after they left the dealership. double edged sword.

I know the people at my dealer well so I let them prep mine fully. Even being black they did a fantastic job and I only saw 1 tiny 1/2 spot of very micro scratches that I buffed out in 5 min. For a black car they did an A+ job.

 

[nate]

This car (kinda like me) would probably look a lot better if it didn't have to work so damn hard every day. Driving causes scratches. In my experience, guys who say "my car doesn't have a SINGLE scratch thanks to my use of Product X" usually need new glasses.

The 80/20 rule definitely applies here. Don't sweat the tiny scratches - if they bug you enough in the future, you can fix them with compound, polish, a professional restoration, what have you.

That said, the 2 bucket method, clean towels etc., leafblower-ing and regular waxing really helps keep the bulk of the deep scratches out, especially on a dark car.

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