What am I doing wrong?

[audio1der]

Do your wash buckets have grit guards?
Have you considered an air dryer instead of the waffle? The less touching the better IMO.
You could also try a new soap (not syaing anything about whatever product you're using, but not everything works for everyone)

 

[srtpowa]

So I have a black truck (my first mistake) and it's killing me. Everytime I wash it I notice more and more swirls. I just don't know where they're coming from. I thought I was doing everything right. I do a two bucket wash. Adams shampoo. I rinse it off really well before washing. I dry with a great white waffle weave towel. Then I detail spray using double soft microfibers. I dobt know if it's just me noticing what was there already or it it's more. I find myself looking at every black car or truck I see and I say " Damm I don't want mine to look like that! " I've only had the truck 3 months and at this rate I'll be correcting the paint every year!

Any suggestions? :frustrated:


Only rub your vehicle in a straight front to back motion, never circlular... If you wipe going with the lines of the car then it will be harder for your brain to comprehend the swirls

 

[Andrew09HEMI]

Honestly, I will never use anything but a shammy to dry a vehicle to matter the color. HAving owned several dark colored vehicles and can not stand swirls, i found this to give me the best result and I would wax constantly with a liquid wax. Mothers or Megiuars are my favorite, sure there are better products out there but these are easy to apply and remove, give great results and youre not spending $$$ on those nice expensive products.. Try drying with a shammy

 

[Batt4Christ]

I absolutely LOVE the look of a black vehicle... until I get close to one and am reminded of why I plan to never own one!!!

That being said - keep in mind - 100% of all colors do the same - the difference is - the darker the color, the more those swirls and scratches show. I have owned a dark blue car - and it was nearly impossible to keep looking good - which was the final nail in the coffin for me and dark vehicles.

BUT - as someone else posted - the best action is going to be putting on coats of the best sealer/wax you can. Some are actually pretty good at protecting that paint/clear coat, and when they have enough coats, do a reasonable job at keeping the swirls and scratches to a minimum. I would start with a full correction, de-oil the paint surface (most polishes contain some oils that can hinder a sealer or wax from getting a good bond to the paint). Then seal with something like FK 1000P (Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax, high melt polymer car wax, Finish care auto wax). FK is awesome, though not the most gloss for dark colors. It's protection is absolutely awesome. A preliminary coat, followed by at least one follow-up lasts for 6 months - 1 year in my experience.

In-between, when you wash - keep on with the two-bucket method, but check your wash mit for debris. It takes surprisingly little to swirl up dark paint. Of course, pollen is the absolute worst offender.

I like to use Optimum No-Rinse. It doesn't suds up to speak of, but cleans very well - and it actually helps to prevent scratches. I have used it on dark finishes with GREAT success. No Rinse Wash and Shine

I use it for a more "standard" wash - in one bucket with water, I use it as labeled for a "no-rinse" wash, and also mix (according to label directions) to use as a detailing spray/clay bar lube. Stuff is awesome!