I posted this on another web site, but it doesnt have the volume of traffic that we have here. So I will post it here as well for more feedback.


So I invested in the full protection package when I purchased my black RA in May 04. I was told that I wouldnt need to wax the car ever again! So, much to my surprise, I wash the car now and the water doesnt bead up or anything any more, and the swirl marks and horrid! So I take it back in today to get the paint protection redone (no charge). When I go to pick it up, it looks like a new paint job!! The finance officer, who is the most knowledgeable about the package, tells me that they had to power polish it first, then put on a new version of the paint protector on it. Then he gives me a little grief about how I take care of my car. I tell him that anyone who knows me, knows that I baby my car... inside and out. I tell him that only 3 things have washed this car; Mitsu when its in for a service, a touchless car wash, and myself with my new wash mits. He says that the swirls are from my wash mits. He recommends that I talk to their detailer who owns a black car and ask him what he uses/ recommends. So thats what I am going to do. I must say, I am very glad I purchased this package if this is the kind of service I can expect everytime the paint fades or gets lots of swirls.

My question to you guys is, what and how do you wash your cars? Again, I use a new wash mit, with turtle wax car soap. Or atleast I did . I will update what the detailer says if their is some interest.

 

Swirl marks come from washing the car in a circular motion, usually. I wash by hand in summer, and touchless carwash in the winter.

Keep us updated on this issue, as I have a black one too, and the swirl marks are coming in slowly but surely.


Off topic though, do you find that the visors help a lot? Are they generally worth the investment? I'm considering them for the summer.

 

I try to avoid touching the car at all when I wash it. In the summer I use the do-it-yourself powerwash places. Winter I use the touchless carwashes. When I do wash by hand (such as before a detailing), I use a very light touch and a very clean and soft mit. Make sure the mit is clean! Even one piece of grit will scratch your car.

 

I love my visors for a couple reasons. First, I can leave the windows down abit in the summer for cooling. With the visors they add a little security, but mostly no fear of a rain shower soaking the seats. The second reason I like them, is because of the tint, they help with stopping sunlight from blinding me when I drive. I know that they arent very wide, but they seem to be in just the right spot to help with a rising sun and a setting sun to and from work. Yep, very happy to have them.

 

I'm a Meguires *****. I use the Gold class car shampoo, regular meguires big sponge thing. I dry the hood, trunk and roof with a california blade, and the rest of the car with super soft towels. then I use Meguires NXT wax. that combo is te best i've found. the wax is really what does it, it's a bit expensive but it's worth it. I usually do mine once a week but it's been reaing here everyotherday for the past 3 weeks it's freaking me out, that and having a dirty car. I never trust those 'never wax your car again' gimmics. Especially with the crappy mitsu factory paint.

 

You'd go nuts living up north. Unless you have a heated garage, it pretty much becomes impossible to wax your car for 4-6 months out of the year.

When it's warm out, I use Meguires paint cleaners, polishes, and waxes as well. Stuff looks good

 

i use maguiers also, with zymol wax

 

I stopped using NXT tech (its really good) on by body guys recomendation. He uses Meguiars professional 2 swirl removing wax (I'll get the exact name). It works a little better than their NXT tech but lasts a lot longer


Here it is:

http://www.autobarn.net/meswre16oz.html

 

oh i know, I grew up in indiana and i remember helpign my mom wash our cars. having to do it in the freezing to get all that salt and crap off. I odn't miss it one bit, lol.