Washing/detailing Your Ride

[Stex]

Not to Hi-jack the folding mirrors for car washing thread, I will post this for care of your paint when washing. The use of brushes, sponges etc to wash the dirt off and the drying with plain towels, cheap micro fiber (can you say Costco yellow), the absorber etc… to dry will give you swirls and fine scratches. These accumulate over time. The touch less, wand and brush drive thru will not get the truck clean.

 

The swirls and scratches in the clear coat do not bother some. For those that such does bother (esp black paint) or those that have cars that they want to have good paint (not just good from 10 feet), please take the time to review the junkman vids and see the short vids at Adams. This will help greatly (did for me anyway) in proper washing of your rides with out imparting swirls and scratches in the clear coat. Also in correction methods if your rides paint is full of swirls and scratches.

 

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59171

 

http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

 

Use what products you want but I do recommend the Adams drying towels. I use the two bucket wash method, with Adams washing pads, dry some what with a leaf blower and then the Adam’s drying towels. Most of your clear coat swirls and scratches come from the washing and drying process. Tires, I use this: http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-510-adams-all-new-super-vrt-kit.aspx

 

I am not posting this to be a know it all. I am just posting to help those that care about such, detailing and caring of your paint. Detailing of your rides can be as much fun and give the same well taken care of feeling as doing your own wrench work on you ride.

 

[r1byker]

+1 on the two bucket method. I think that is the single most important step in minimizing swirl marks. I was down in Mexico about a month ago and by the end of the week there was a thick coat of dirt on my truck. I used the two bucket method, emptying and refilling the rinse bucket three times in the process of washing. And this was after I thoroughly sprayed the truck off before washing. No swirl marks.

[STINSAN3]

+1 on the two bucket method. I think that is the single most important step in minimizing swirl marks. I was down in Mexico about a month ago and by the end of the week there was a thick coat of dirt on my truck. I used the two bucket method, emptying and refilling the rinse bucket three times in the process of washing. And this was after I thoroughly sprayed the truck off before washing. No swirl marks.

 

Did you use Grit Guards?

[brad519]

I just recently got into the Adam's products and so far I've been pleased.

The Detail Spray is awesome for drying the truck.

Bad thing is I got to noticing the minor scratches and swirls. Don't hold a halogen up to a black truck unless you want to be disappointed

I broke down and ordered the Porter Cable with Adams Pads and products which is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. So we'll see how it turns out.

But their forum is great with lots of information and the guy offers a 110% Guarantee!!

[STINSAN3]

I just recently got into the Adam's products and so far I've been pleased.

The Detail Spray is awesome for drying the truck.

Bad thing is I got to noticing the minor scratches and swirls. Don't hold a halogen up to a black truck unless you want to be disappointed

I broke down and ordered the Porter Cable with Adams Pads and products which is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. So we'll see how it turns out.

But their forum is great with lots of information and the guy offers a 110% Guarantee!!

 

I'm thinking about ordering one, bc I'm still scared that I'll screw something up.

Gotta tell us how it goes lol

[Stex]

I just recently got into the Adam's products and so far I've been pleased.

The Detail Spray is awesome for drying the truck.

Bad thing is I got to noticing the minor scratches and swirls. Don't hold a halogen up to a black truck unless you want to be disappointed

I broke down and ordered the Porter Cable with Adams Pads and products which is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. So we'll see how it turns out.

But their forum is great with lots of information and the guy offers a 110% Guarantee!!

 

I'm thinking about ordering one, bc I'm still scared that I'll screw something up.

Gotta tell us how it goes lol

 

 

I have one and will be trying it out on my 04 tsx. My truck does not yet need correction.

 

Watch these vids from Junkman on how a PC and Adams will (should) not damage the paint. I would not use the PC and SHR unless truck needed correction. I would use it for applying wax on these big trucks.

 

http://adamsforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4034

[Luvbelly]

Lots of videos out there on various forums and you tube showing how safe the PC buffer is. I have watched a bunch of them but still have the fear of doing damage. I recently picked up a buffer (not a PC) but haven't tried it out yet. Luckily I have a winter beater to practice on. It won't hurt so much if I mess that up.

[brad519]

Yeah I didn't think mine needed any correction until I got out the halogen.

It's not horrible but there are fine little scratches in every panel.

Of course I was dumb enough to use the "water blade" and cheap microfiber to dry it and wipe it down.

Swirls aren't too bad cause I have used the 2 bucket wash from the 1st wash.

I do have a long scratch on the passenger side from a F&*king limb by the driveway I rubbed one night. It's not real visible but I'm thinking (read that HOPING) the PC will get remove that also.

If the Fedex guy would get his ass in gear I could get started

 

I was nervous about getting one and using it but after watching all the videos and seeing what the Junk man did with it on his Vette without getting any damage I figured I could ease through it.

[r1byker]

+1 on the two bucket method. I think that is the single most important step in minimizing swirl marks. I was down in Mexico about a month ago and by the end of the week there was a thick coat of dirt on my truck. I used the two bucket method, emptying and refilling the rinse bucket three times in the process of washing. And this was after I thoroughly sprayed the truck off before washing. No swirl marks.

 

Did you use Grit Guards?

 

 

No, didn't know they existed until I watched the video. I'm sorely tempted to spring for a couple, though.

[ryan_hermanutz]

Where I live we are not allowed to wash vehicles in the apartment complex, yet another reason to own a damn house, but I've done the 2 bucket and 1 bucket system but I always end up doing the 1 bucket with a twist. Each time I'm done washing a panel or need more soap I rinse the mitt from the inside out and make sure all the dirt and grim is off the mitt before I dip it back in. I have found that it does just as good of a job as the 2 bucket and grit guard, but that's just me. Now to wash my truck I have to sneak to the car wash late at night or early in the morning to wash by hand, which works pretty good too. I rinse the truck, and the power wash it and that seemd to get most of the road grime off then I wash it by hand and rinse.

[Luvbelly]

Where I live we are not allowed to wash vehicles in the apartment complex, yet another reason to own a damn house, but I've done the 2 bucket and 1 bucket system but I always end up doing the 1 bucket with a twist. Each time I'm done washing a panel or need more soap I rinse the mitt from the inside out and make sure all the dirt and grim is off the mitt before I dip it back in. I have found that it does just as good of a job as the 2 bucket and grit guard, but that's just me. Now to wash my truck I have to sneak to the car wash late at night or early in the morning to wash by hand, which works pretty good too. I rinse the truck, and the power wash it and that seemd to get most of the road grime off then I wash it by hand and rinse.

 

I can remember having to do the "late night hand wash" when I lived in the city. I just couldn't use their brush and without the time clicking away as fast as the quarters the owners seemed concerned. I am sure I set a speed record of two.

[ryan_hermanutz]

Where I live we are not allowed to wash vehicles in the apartment complex, yet another reason to own a damn house, but I've done the 2 bucket and 1 bucket system but I always end up doing the 1 bucket with a twist. Each time I'm done washing a panel or need more soap I rinse the mitt from the inside out and make sure all the dirt and grim is off the mitt before I dip it back in. I have found that it does just as good of a job as the 2 bucket and grit guard, but that's just me. Now to wash my truck I have to sneak to the car wash late at night or early in the morning to wash by hand, which works pretty good too. I rinse the truck, and the power wash it and that seemd to get most of the road grime off then I wash it by hand and rinse.

 

I can remember having to do the "late night hand wash" when I lived in the city. I just couldn't use their brush and without the time clicking away as fast as the quarters the owners seemed concerned. I am sure I set a speed record of two.

 

 

 

I've been caught a couple times and they don't really care, unless I'm using my own soap or they think I'm trying to steal from them somehow. They had a beef with the soap thing because they use a special soap that is designed for their filters and doesn't build up in the pumps. Yeah 3 or 4 cap fulls a week is going to ruin a 5,000 gallon tank full of dirty water, oil and soap. They told me that I wouldn't be allowed back if I was holding up other people, so I go when everyone is either drinking or sleeping.

[RyanbabZ71]

This is what you need

[brad519]

I got my Porter Cable 7424XP along with the Adam's Pads and Swirl & Haze Remover, Fine Machine Polish, and Super Machine Wax today

It's a long process but I'm getting there. So far I've done paint correction on the driver's side and it's a BIG difference. There are still some small micro scratches in the crease area's and I need to make a few more passes on the front fender but the majority of the swirls are Gone!

It's going to take a lot of work to get the big scratch off the passenger side but I believe I can make it almost invisible.

I will try to get some pics up when I get finished.

 

Adam's Polishes

[Luvbelly]

I got my Porter Cable 7424XP along with the Adam's Pads and Swirl & Haze Remover, Fine Machine Polish, and Super Machine Wax today

It's a long process but I'm getting there. So far I've done paint correction on the driver's side and it's a BIG difference. There are still some small micro scratches in the crease area's and I need to make a few more passes on the front fender but the majority of the swirls are Gone!

It's going to take a lot of work to get the big scratch off the passenger side but I believe I can make it almost invisible.

I will try to get some pics up when I get finished.

 

Adam's Polishes

 

What is is your truck. Man that thing is beautiful. Scratches or not I would be proud as heck to have that in my driveway.