2010 Silverado Ltz - Black Granite Metallic

[Ohdee]

I have a question about washing my truck!

 

I got my new truck on the weekend (love it) and I'm about to give it its first wash. It's been raining for a few days. I had a black 2007 Silverado LT and after washing it a few times I found it was full of swirl marks. It drove me crazy!

 

Any suggestions on how to avoid this with my new truck? Are there "special" cloths or soaps that can be used to help avoid the swirlies?

 

I'll post some pic's... once I get it clean!

[KSims1868]

Same thing happened to me in my 2008 F250 - washed it and swirled the paint BAD.

My solution - went and bought a white truck.

 

Sorry I can't be much more help. I researched and researched how to avoid this and the general consensus among most people was it was just going to happen - love it or leave it.

[foreverkidd]

microfiber over chamois, don't use foam brushes, when you dry pull in a straight line, dont use circular motions, and if the paint begins to swirl grab a clay bar and give'r a good polish... wax is your best friend with a black truck

[Ohdee]

Thanks for the advice!

 

I usually go to a wand carwash. Spray with soap and then quickly hand wash.

 

I've seen the option, but never used the spot free rinse. What's that stuff like? I sort of just assumed it would be no good for the paint but I've seen other people use it and just drive away (with new cars). Can stop free be used or is it a no no?

 

That would save a good half hour of drying and it could help avoid swirls.

[Ohdee]

Thanks for moving the post! I'm new...

 

No wonder I couldn't find anything when I used the search feature!!!

[r1byker]

Do you use the two-bucket method of washing? It's what the detailers do. One bucket is for the soapy water and the other bucket is clean water. After you've washed a section of the truck, put your wash cloth (wash mop, or whatever) in the clean water to rinse it and get all the accumulated dirt off. Then soap up again from your soap bucket. Repeat.

 

This helps keep the scratches down because you're always washing with a fairly clean cloth. When I first started using this method, I was surprised how much dirt was showing up in the bottom of my rinse bucket. Presumably, that would be dirt that would've scratched the paint.

 

Alternatively, on my motorcycle, I've been using nothing but a waterless car wash product. (I hate getting my motorcycle wet.) Spray it on, wipe it off, and then buff. I've been doing that for four years and there are very minimal swirl marks. PM me if you want details on the product and no, I'm not a dealer.

[fraiolib]

wash it in the shade make sure u dry it even the chrome bumpers unless u have the z71 appearence package then no chrome first time i washed my truck (imperial blue) i got terrible water spots we have a red 08 that we never dry and never got water spots on that but dealer told me that the darker colors get water spots easier

[RyanbabZ71]

This should keep you busy

 

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

[Stevens03]

I don't think it's as much in how you wash it as it is with how you dry it. Don't EVER use a regular towel or you'll scratch it to hell and back. I actually wash my black truck regular and use my leaf blower to blow off most of the water, then finish drying it with a micro fiber towel.

 

Good luck and post some photos.

[rbiggers277]

Use clean microfiber towels to dry everytime. NEVER use the brush in the car washes. Always use touchless automatic car washes if you don't do it yourself. Find a good wax. I love Meguiar's NXT Wax. Had my truck almost 2.5 years and very few swirls!

[Ohdee]

Thanks for the advice. First wash will happen tomorrow.

[JaredM]

my first silverado in 1993 was black...it was really pretty. But it was soooo hard to keep clean. I live off of a dirt road...so you can imagine. I have since changed to the white. But...I did have 3 silver birch ones that were great on the dirt part.... +1 on the micro fiber and might add the quick detailer in between washes maguiers rules.

[mikepike1125]

Ive been using the absorber to soak up the water on my black truck after a wash. I place it on the area I want to dry. Let it sit for a couple seconds to soak up the water then pick it up and move to the next spot and repeat. I do not wipe it across the paint at all. I also put my microfiber mit in the washing machine before each truck wash. While washing I always monitor the microfiber mit for any debris that may collect in it. I also spray the truk with waterand then throw some sudsy soap on it and then swish that around with hose water and then give it a nice and gentle hand wash. No swirls yet.

[700 sportsman]

I use the 2 bucket method and dry with a shammie, or microfiber, or a mix of the 2. We aslo have a dryer for my dads motorcycle that blows hot air and works great, especially for the motor and stuff, I've been meaning to try it our on the truck, but haven't yet

[Ohdee]

Well I did it! Looks good, love the color! Don’t see any swirls. Of course I spent two hours cleaning it last night and its overcast and looking like rain today. Once the sun breaks through I’ll take pictures.