wash without introducing swirls?
 

Can anyone give me tips about washing the car without introducing swirls? Is it just inevitable?

I try to be as careful as possible, but i still notice light swirls under good lighting:
- wash from top to bottom
- separate mitt for below the moulding on the door
- separate brush for wheels
- 2 bucket system w/ grit guards
- meguiars microfibre wash mitts
- pre-spary with 1600psi electric pressure washer
- dry with leaf blower

any other tips?

back and forth always, never circle motion. clean mitt always, clean water... separate mitt and water for wheels and always clean microfiber or shammy, pretty much all you can do

go back to driving a 4runner :fullofwin:


seriously though,

good pre-soak should help and like snails said back and forth not circles.

also, two bucket method.

to further clarify on the "back and forth" you want to wipe in the direction the water runs off the car. for example, on the hood, I always wipe from the windshield cowl to the front bumper. On the doors, I always wipe from the window sill to the side moulding of the car. Don't go in the direction of front fender to rear door/rear fender. I think u get the idea.

I will also do a pre-rinse with the hose before i put the washmitt into the rinse bucket.

Swirls are inevitable, but you're list is pretty good for reducing the amount of swirls induced.

buy a foam gun and use it with a wash mitt.

Foam the whole car first to take off any loose dirt.

After foaming the whole car, Shoot the foam towards the wash mitt while washing the car to provide a constant lubrication between the mash mitt and the clear coat.

Dump the wash mitt in fresh water after few strokes to release the dirt that's trapped in the wash mitt's fibers.

That should eliminate swirls as much as possible.

Make sure you are drying the car correctly as well because drying a car incorrectly can put as much swirls as washing a car improperly.

Looks like you're doing as much as you can. A few things I'd suggest...

1.Foam the car before washing. Allow it to dwell for 3-5 minutes and rinse. Less time on warm days. This will NOT clean the car, but rather will help remove any loose grit that could cause swirls.
2.Wash your mitts after using. This will guarantee to remove any grit from each wash.
3.Fill your bucket almost to the top with water BEFORE adding soap. I usually put about 3 gallons f water in a 5 gallon pail, add soap and then foam up. After every couple of panels I foam it up again to keep the water level up.
4. Use a really sopping wet mitt. I almost scoop the water out of the bucket onto the car. Or as AY said, use your foam gun as you go.
5.Don't apply too much pressure. You should only be able to feel the mitt against the paint. If your pushing hard enough that your hand is actually making contact with the paint through the mitt, you're pressing too hard.

Thanks for all the tips! will definitely try them out next time.

i guess, to a certain extent, swirls are inevitable.. :(

now.. where can i get a foam gun?

This is the one that I use and it's been super useful.

http://www.amazon.com/Gilmour-95QGFMR-Foamaster-Cleaning-Sprayer/dp/B000Y190WE
You can order it straight from amazon.

This investment is definitely worth it to keep swirls at a minimum amount and will keep your clear coat looking good in the long run.

Lubricity is the key to cleaning and maintaining your car's paint/clear coat!

Good luck and have fun!

feel free to e-mail me at AYAutocare@live.com if you got more questions or when you need immediate help!

The more you wash the more wax you strip. Why not apply some proper carnuba wax and watch all those swirls and small scratches disappear.

Wax will not hide scratches and swirls. A good glaze like Chemical Guys Glossworks before applying the wax will hide a lot.