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While many have accepted the fact that washing your vehicle weekly is the perfect opportunity to remove surface contaminants before they develop into a problem, it is less known that most surface scratches are caused by owners that use improper washing techniques. Paint swirls and light scratches are two of the biggest problems you can expect to encounter during your average car wash, and both of these conditions can be easily prevented. Even those reading this may not be aware of the many ill practices that can lead you disaster, and in this article, we will guide you in a direction that will keep your paint shining like royalty: blemish free.
Schedule your Washing Cycle
Washing once a week is the standard for vehicles that are under your general use, and wisely so, because during the week, your automobile can receive contaminants from any stage of the journeys in its lifespan.  Whether your car is dormant in the garage, or tearing asphalt cross-country, it is equally defenseless against the hail of pollutants and damaging particles that seem to meet us at every turn. Bug carcasses are one of the most damaging contaminants your paint can experience. Not only can their hard exoskeletons cause surface scratches, their bodies can break down further to root their remains to the paint surface: sometimes even eating into it with naturally corrosive acids. Another major player in this arena is your own brake pads, whose metal shavings can accumulate on your rims and leave a residue. By washing weekly, you ensure that these collected maladies are taken care of in a timely manner. Allowing contaminants to sit on your hood for any period of time is a gamble in itself. Instead of taking the risk, schedule a day out of the week where you can nurture and protect your precious vehicle with a nourishing wash.
Tools to Use, Tips to Try
In the days prior to your wash, carefully select the tools and processes you wish to use. Speaking to your fellow enthusiasts can always bring you excellent information regarding what sponges and mitts would be best for which vehicles, but these important decisions should ultimately be made by you.  The key to selecting the proper equipment is achieving a blend of functionality and gentleness. As we said before, improper techniques lead to swirl marks, and wiping down your vehicle with an ordinary towel will do more harm than good. Thankfully, Mother Nature has delivered us car fanatics a perfectly engineered sponge that all but eliminates this risk. Found along the shores of our neighboring Key West, Natural Sea Sponges are gentle on your paint, and tough on debris. The complex fibers found in natural sea sponges allow them to soak up multitudes of water and grit within a network of tiny pores. Make an effort to use the softer side of the sponge, and always remember to wash it thoroughly before and after every use to remove any contaminants.
For those who wish to treat their vehicles to the regal quality of another all natural product, Sheepskin Wash Mitts are a superb choice that can bring a feeling of luxury that complements your car washing experience. Although some consider these mitts a guilty pleasure that doesn’t last as long as a Cobra Microfiber Mitt and other synthetics, its texture is unbeatably soft and should be experienced by everyone.
Pinnacle Cotton Chenille Wash Mitts are another effective solution for your car washing woes, and the genuine natural materials contained within it are pleasant to behold. The comfortable elastic cuff will keep the product from sliding off, and the hand friendly design is perfect for the enthusiast that wants to get in there and caress their vehicle’s every streamlined curve. Soft, plush and incredibly absorbent, these mitts make the job fly by in no time flat.
The final option to consider is making the switch to Microfiber. Utilizing technology that packs over 200,000 strands of fiber per square inch, it is no wonder that these marvelous products can contain so much water. Because of the unnaturally powerful density of the weave, Cobra Microfiber Mitt will never leave swirl marks or lint behind: a great asset to have in your cleaning arsenal.
Washing Time
You’ve prepared your tools and the day is coming when you will apply your new towels and techniques to your precious, unsuspecting vehicle. Reinvent the washing experience in new and exciting ways by learning the names of the greatest quality products to apply and the expert tactics that will provide amazing results every time.
1. From the Top to the Bottom. Always be sure to start washing your car from the top. Professionals and hobbyists alike do this to ensure that none of the vehicle is re-contaminated by debris from different areas. Typically, the lowest extremities of your vehicle are the areas that contain the toughest accumulation of grit and grime. By saving this job for last, you are safeguarding the rest of your paint from an unwholesome exposure to brake dust.
2. No Hope with Dish Soap. If for some reason you have decided to use dish soap during your car wash, I implore that you save it for your dishes. These formulas are engineered with harmful compounds that can easily eat away at your paint job. When it comes to treating your trusted transportation with soap, use lush, super-sudsy formulas like Wolfgang Auto Bathe or Optimum Car Wash. These products deliver consistently awe-inspiring jobs that will leave your body shining and scratch-free.
 3. High Quality H2O. We all know that clean water is necessary for any car wash, and although we provide quality water, we sometimes fail to notice when said water becomes contaminated. Every time you dip your sponge or mitt into your water bucket, you are introducing foreign particles like dirt and grime into your previously pure water source. Subsequent dips into the bucket can then collect this dirt and cause you to induce swirls, marring the paint. Using two buckets is clever, but not nearly enough when it comes to protecting your highly adored, prize-winning finish. The only proven method to eliminate this threat is by lining the bottom of your bucket with the amazingly unique Grit Guard Insert. It is a type of filtration system that not only cleans dirt off of your sponge, but it also quarantines the removed contaminants in a calming zone at the bottom of the bucket. Especially effective at eliminating the risk of paint swirls, this is a priceless product that should be present in every enthusiast’s garage.
4. Tired of Cleaning. While cleaning your tires, you might get downright exhausted. All humor aside, undercarriage and trim care are places of nightmarish buildup, and you will want to employ products that reduce the stubbornness of grit and grime. Using your precious microfibers on these areas is like throwing them away, as the tar-like buildup can irrevocably damage them. Therefore, don’t move in without equipping yourself with a quality OXO Wheel Brush to make quick work of any brake dust. Combine this brush with Wolfgang Tire and Wheel Cleaner and you will achieve remarkable, jaw-dropping results.
5. Your Hose Knows Best. Before doing anything, spray your vehicle down using a strong stream. If your hose has a stream control attachment: kudos to you. If not, partially block the nozzle with your thumb to create a stronger concentration of stream power. Doing this will provide you with extra help removing larger particles of loose dirt that will only get in your way later. Pine needles and leaves are both examples of surface elements that can be easily blasted away with your average garden hose, and it’s safer for your car to let the water work for you. When it comes time to rinse away the soap, the reverse is applicable. Wash away suds with a gentle flow for a more encompassing cleansing.
Drying
All water contains microscopic contaminants, even the water you clean your car with. When moisture evaporates, the harmful contaminants they contain are left behind on your vehicle’s surface. Because of this, it is important that you remember to dry your automobile off as soon as you are finished rinsing. Those who have the attitude of “It will dry on its own” should be made aware that allowing the water to evaporate naturally causes the water to release unwanted mineral deposits all over the vehicle.
When you begin drying, you’ll want to have a set of items available to cut the time down and ensure proper dryness without the threat of scratching. Scratches most commonly occur when substandard towels are used for automotive drying. Avoid using household towels altogether, as their simple construction promotes friction and releases lint particles, both of which can cause swirl marks. To achieve professional results, arm yourself with the ingenious California Water Blade. If you have ever seen an ordinary squeegee used by experienced, dexterous hands, you already know how effective they are at parting water from glass and metal. Pushing the envelope to the technological limits, the Water Blade is composed of a medical grade silicone that guarantees removing 90% of the hydration from your vehicle, in convenient sword-like swipes.
If you are the type of person that insists on lavish towels that provide the perfectionist’s blend of absorption and gentleness, chamois is the word that will make you and your car purr in anticipation. The soft Prince of Wales Chamois is made from 100% leather, and is a real treat for any noble automobile. This decadent chamois will deliver a royal shine that simply must be seen to believe.
 The synthetic market is another option that should never be overlooked. Cobra Waffle-Weave Towels are but one of the many microfiber products offered by Cobra, and it delivers consistently heightened results where other towels fail. This product retains all of the exceptional Cobra traits including the wonderful non-linting construction and the trademark enduring gentleness. What really makes this towel unique is that it can retain seven times its own weight in water. This quality is a big help during the drying process, which can have you switching from towel to towel when using lesser brands. However you choose to proceed, below is a concise set of guidelines that will ensure a safe and dry vehicle.
Drying Tips
1. Save it for the Wipes. Avoid sacrificing your microfibers or chamois towels to possibly permanent stains. For particularly grimy areas like doorjambs and engine gutters, Instead use one-time auto wipes. This way your main towels will stay fresh for their more suited jobs.
2. The Friction Affliction. Any towel, no matter how gentle is still capable of creating swirl marks if used abusively. Friction is the omnipresent force that threatens to overrun your paintjob with needless nicks. To prevent problems, always use a nominal amount of force when drying. It should also be noted that going over a dry surface with a dry towel will almost always result in a scratch. Exhibit caution when drying to prevent friction and you can guarantee yourself a pleasant shine.
3 The Wheel Deal. Just like washing, you should dry from top to bottom, and when you get to the tires it is recommended that you designate a towel for this specific purpose.
This precaution will eliminate the chance of cross contamination and should be implemented into your care-care regimen. Stock up on your favorite towels and keep them segregated and clean to bring out their maximum potential.
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