FAO: Valeters & Car cleaning enthusiasts!

[Dave]

Im interested in preventing SWIRL marks! Any tips.

So far just keep my cloths mega clean!

Whats the best way to dry the car? Chamois? Leave it? Towel? Or one of those flexi blade things?

 

[st33ly]

Hey mate i could go into mega detail if you want but the best way is when polishing the motor do not polish in a circular motion go up and down and side to side! + use a clean section of polishing clother per panel. Thats what ive been recommended by alot of people. For drying, i use a blade to get ride of most of the water and a chamois for detailing. Wipe the edge of the blade with a clean white cloth before every swipe and use a bucket of hot water with the chamois. Once its nearly saturated with water from the car then squeez it to drain the dirty water then rinse it with the clean hot water. this also should minamise swirl marks!

 

[dk]

for starters, dont use a polish, use a decent wax from the start, i use zymol concours, I think you will always end up with a few swirls though.

 

[powelly]

Flexi blade it, leather it, then use auto glym glass polish

circular motion quite light at first and then get harder :s LOL

leaves a gorgeous shiny finish like glass obviously superb stuff!!

Vix

 

[tomboy]

In my opinion the best way to prevent scratches/swirl marks is by being careful.

Use a clean bucket with good car wash and a microfibre or a soft wool mitt in straight lines from front to back.

I use a soft wool mitt, but am looking for a good microfibre one.

Keep a second bucket of clean water to rinse your mitt. Youll be suprised how dirty that bucket gets and how clean the soapy water stays.

Wash your wheels first with their own mitt.

Then wash the top horizontal surfaces (roof and bonnet), then the glass then the sides - top to bottom.

Do one section at a time and rinse after each.
Use a separate mitt for the very bottom of the doors/bumpers.

Use free running water for the final rinse (not a water jet or power hose ) since it will allow the water to sheet off better allowing quicker drying. If poss pack on a slight incline - this will also help with the sheeting.

And dont wash your car in the sun.

Dry with a 100% cotton towel (with NO polyester - as polyester scratches) or a natural or synthetic chamois with very little pressure. I use a synthetic one - as the feel of real wet chamois makes me squirm(??)

When applying waxes/polish/glaze etc. follow the directions on the bottle closely. Use a back n forth motion, not circular

Wash all applicators, buffing cloths, wash mitts and towels after each use. If anything falls on the ground, wash it before using it again.

I use a non bio liquid washing detergent. Dont use fabric softeners.

Cut off the towel labels, and the end stitching since even 100% cotton towels may use polyester thread - use a lighter to determine this, if it burns like a wick its cotton, if it melts with black smoke and has a black melted ball on the end, it is polyester.

Wash off bird crap immediately.

Hope this helps
H