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Proper
Washing &
Drying
Technique
Are you
washing your
car, or just
damaging the
paint?
Most of the
swirl marks
that
disfigure
your vehicle
are likely
caused by
poor washing
technique.
Thorough
weekly
washes and
careful
hand-drying
can be the
best care
you can give
your
vehicle.
Improper
techniques
will cause
unsightly
swirls and
scratches in
the paint
requiring
compounding
or polishing
at the very
least. You
can
eliminate
these
problems and
save
yourself
extra work
by following
a few simple
tips when
washing and
drying your
vehicle.
You can find this article and detailing product on www.autogeek.net
Are you
washing
weekly or
weakly?
Weekly
washing is
best because
some
contaminants
quickly do
serious long
term damage
to paint if
they are
allowed to
remain. Two
such organic
compounds
are bug
splatter and
bird
droppings.
These
bio-hazards
contain
complex
proteins
that bond to
the surface
and nourish
biological
processes
and organic
acids that
penetrate
and break
down the
surface
eating into
your clear
coat if not
removed
promptly.
Weak spots
in the clear
coat make
your vehicle
susceptible
to corrosion
and
discoloration.
Another
problem
contaminant
is brake
dust. It
contains
metal
shavings
from the
rotors and
adhesives
used in the
production
of brake
pads. Try to
picture the
dirty plume
of brake
dust and
roadway
chemicals
that travels
along with a
moving
vehicle.
This fog of
chemicals
shower the
lower
portion of
your vehicle
with a
clinging,
nearly
invisible
mist. Brake
dust itself,
is highly
corrosive
and very
sticky.
Washing your
vehicle
weekly will
remove these
contaminants
before they
have the
opportunity
to do
unsightly
permanent
damage.
Wash Tools
First
Never wash
in direct
sunlight.
Pick a shady
spot.
Second it’s
very
important to
choose tools
that are
gentle on
the paint,
yet still
effective at
removing
contamination.
As a rule of
thumb,
sponges and
mitts
that are
plush or
have a deep
nap are
better than
flat weave
towels or
dense
sponges. For
example, a
Natural Sea
Sponge
has numerous
deep
compartments
where dirt
and debris
can
accumulate.
The natural
fibers
themselves
will not
scratch the
paint and
they will
essentially
pull
contamination
into the
sponge’s
openings,
away from
the paint.
Always use
the softer
side of the
sponge for
washing.
Rinse new
sea sponges
thoroughly
before use
to remove
any shell
fragments or
sand.
Another
option is a
Sheepskin
Wash Mitt.
Sheepskin is
extremely
soft and
plush. The
fibers are
gentle on
the paint
while the
nap is deep
enough to
accommodate
loose dirt
and sand so
they do not
rub against
the vehicle.
Because
sheepskin is
natural, it
does not
last as long
as a
Microfiber
mitts.
However, for
luxurious
softness,
you can’t
beat the
texture of
sheepskin.
Microfiber
wash mitts
are another
paint-safe
option.
Microfiber’s
combination
of polyester
and
polyamide
make it
capable of
scrubbing
the paint
without
scratching
or swirling.
It traps
dirt and
grit within
the fibers
rather than
leaving them
on the
surface of
your
vehicle. Be
sure to
rinse the
mitt
frequently
to release
these
particles.
Cotton
chenille
pads
and
mitts
are also
good choices
because they
clean easily
and they
last longer
than
sheepskin or
natural sea
sponges.
Proper
Washing
1.
Wash the
wheels and
tires first.
If you
splash wheel
cleaners or
dirt onto
your
vehicle, you
can simply
wash it off
as you wash
your
vehicle. Use
a cleaner
that is safe
for all
wheels, like
Wolfgang
Tire & Wheel
Cleaner.
It is
water-based
and has no
corrosive
chemicals,
which is
safer for
coated
wheels and
rubber.
Agitate with
a
New England
Wheel Brush
to clean
wheels
without
scratching.
Wash each
wheel and
tire one at
a time and
rinse
thoroughly
before
moving on to
the next
one. NOW
EMPTY AND
RINSE ALL
CLEANING
MARTERIALS
including
your
Pinnacle
Safe Scrub
Bug & Tar
Sponge
and your
wash bucket.
2.
Now you’re
ready to
wash. Let’s
start with
clean water
and a
freshly
rinsed
container
and our
Cobra
Microfiber
Wash Mitt.
It’s
important to
use a car
wash that is
rich in
lubricants.
The purpose
of the car
wash is to
remove
contaminants
and
lubricate
them so they
do not
scratch the
paint as
they slide
off the
vehicle.
Dish
detergents
are not
ideal
because they
remove
protective
coatings.
P21S
Bodywork
Conditioning
Shampoo,
DP Auto Wash
and
Pinnacle
Bodywork
Shampoo
are all
fantastic
choices.
They do not
remove wax
and provide
ample
lubrication
of gritty
particles.
3.
How do you
prevent
swirl marks?
Use
two buckets.
Fill one
bucket with
soapy water
and fill the
other with
clean water.
Each time
you’re ready
to reload
your
sponge
with soapy
water, dip
it in the
clean water
first, to
rinse out
the grit and
contamination
you’ve just
removed from
your
vehicle.
Then dip it
in the soapy
water and
continue
washing.
An even
better
option is
the
Grit Guard.
This plastic
grid sits in
the bottom
of a
5-gallon
wash bucket
and
stabilizes
the water.
Contamination
and
particles
settle to
the bottom
of the
bucket and
the clean
wash water
remains at
the top.
 4.
Always rinse
your vehicle
thoroughly
before you
begin
washing in
order to
remove loose
debris. Then
begin
washing at
the top of
the vehicle.
Wash down
the vehicle
as opposed
to front to
back.
Remember
that the
lower panels
are
dirtiest.
You want to
clean the
windows and
the upper
panels
before
cleaning the
lower half
of the
vehicle so
that you
don’t
transfer
grit to the
top half of
the vehicle.
Rinse and
reload your
Sponge
often to
prevent
cross-contamination.
Rinse your
vehicle
frequently
as you work,
especially
in hot
weather.
For stubborn
spots, like
bugs or tar,
use the
Pinnacle
Safe Scrub
Bug & Tar
Sponge
to gently
remove
sticky
contaminants
without
scratching.
To soften
the sponge,
soak it in
warm water
for 3
minutes.
Always use
it with
soapy water
to lubricate
the sponge.
If you
choose to
use a
spot cleaner,
spray it on
before
washing and
reapply
wax
to the
treated area
after you’ve
dried the
vehicle.
5.
When
rinsing, you
don’t have
to blast
your car
clean with
the water
hose.
Free-flowing
water (no
nozzle) will
allow the
water to
sheet off of
your vehicle
for a more
thorough
rinsing.
Drying
Never skip
drying!
Drying your
vehicle
after
washing is
necessary to
prevent
water spots.
Water spots
are caused
by mineral
deposits
that etch
the outline
of a drop of
water into
your
vehicle’s
paint. All
water has
minerals,
whether it’s
from the
hose or the
sky. As the
water
evaporates,
the minerals
remain on
the surface
and they
will
eventually,
invariably
create water
spots.
 You
can dry your
vehicle in a
variety of
ways, but
you want to
make sure
you do it
quickly. The
fastest way
to remove
excess water
is with a
California
Water Blade.
This is a
“paint-safe”
squeegee
that pull
80% of the
water off
the surface
of your
vehicle.
They are
made of
soft,
medical-grade
silicone so
they will
not scratch
your paint
or glass.
Use the
blade on the
windows
first, since
water spots
are most
noticeable
there. Or
for a
TOTALLY
TURBO-CHARGED
fast
drying
experience
go with
Metro Vac
N’Blo
for a
flawless
finish. This
is the
ultimate
detailing
tool, for
clean up and
dry down.
This
portable
unit comes
complete
with a four
piece
micro-cleaning
tool kit,
shoulder
strap and
blower
nozzle.
If you use a
California
Water Blade
you still
need to use
a towel to
remove the
rest of the
water.
The Guzzler
is a large
20" x 40"
microfiber
towel
that is
manufactured
with a
waffle-weave
texture.
This weave
increases
the surface
area so the
towel can
absorb more
water. It
can absorb 7
times its
own weight
in moisture,
and it’s
completely
nonabrasive.
Microfiber
towels
come in a
number of
sizes and
they can be
altered for
a specific
purpose. For
example, the
Cobra
Waffle-Weave
Glass Towel
will clean
and dry
glass
without
streaks.
Microfiber
is more
absorbent
than terry
cloth or
chamois, and
it lasts
longer.
Terry cloth
towels are
not
recommended
because the
fibers can
become
matted and
hard after
repeated
uses. They
shed lint.
They
increase the
chance of
swirls.
Compared to
microfiber,
they are not
as absorbent
and they
don’t last
as long.
Never use
bath towels
that have
been
discarded
from the
house. They
are probably
not soft or
paint safe.
All
Cobra
Microfiber
Towels
are
engineered
to be
LINT-FREE!
You may also
use a
genuine or
synthetic
chamois.
The
Prince of
Wales
Chamois
is 100%
leather and
it’s
extremely
soft. Its
luxurious
texture
makes it a
pleasure to
use, but it
will not
last as long
as a
synthetic
chamois. Do
not continue
using it
after it
becomes
hard. The
Pittards
Dry-Soft
Chamois
is another
option. It
is real
leather, but
it dries
soft.
Chamois are
gentle on
paint and
they are
more
absorbent
than terry
cloth.
Drying Tips
1.
Dry the
windows and
mirrors
first. A
series of
careful firm
strokes with
your
California
Water Blade
will remove
any
remaining
water.
2.
Use the
large
The Supreme
Guzzler
to remove
the majority
of water
from your
vehicle.
This towel
measures
20”x 40” and
it absorbs
seven times
its own
weight in
moisture. Go
back over
the vehicle
with a
smaller
towel, like
the
The
Guzzler(16”x
24”)
to catch any
water the
large towel
may have
missed. This
quick
two-step
process will
leave your
vehicle
bone-dry and
ready for
wax.
 3.
Once the
outside is
dry, wipe
down all
your door
jambs and
sills. Open
the trunk
and hood to
wipe the
jambs. Our
Cobra
Microfiber
Starter Kit
can get you
“off the
mark” with
the best in
LINT-FREE
drying
technology.
4.
Dry your
wheels using
a towel or
chamois that
is
designated
just for
this
purpose.
Don’t use
this towel
on your
paint to
avoid
cross-contamination.
You may also
use this
towel to
wipe off
surfaces
under the
hood. Wash
this towel
before you
use it
again.
The
Finishing
Touch
Use a spray
wax or spray
sealant like
Mothers
Showtime
Detailer
or
Wolfgang
Deep Gloss
Spritz
Sealant
to
rejuvenate
the shine of
your
existing
wax. Skip
this step if
you are
going to
apply
another coat
of wax. The
ultimate in
finishing
detail kits
is the
Pinnacle
–Wolfgang
Souverän Kit;
two premium
brands come
together to
make the
ultimate
detailing
kit.
The Foam Gun
Option
If the mitt
and bucket
method
doesn’t do
it for you,
there’s
always the
foam gun
option. The
Foamaster
Foam Wash
Gun
drenches
your vehicle
in suds to
provide
maximum
lubrication
between your
wash mitt
and your
vehicle.
The
Foamaster
works by
mixing a
controlled
amount of
water and
shampoo
together
inside a
specially
shaped
nozzle. The
solution is
forced
through the
nozzle by
the shear
water
pressure of
your hose.
It
immediately
mixes with
air as it
exits the
nozzle and
–behold! –
lots and
lots of
foam.
 The
Foamaster
enables you
to cover
your vehicle
in an even
layer of
suds. This
won’t
guarantee a
swirl-free
wash but,
with a clean
wash mitt or
sponge, it
will improve
your odds.
You will
still need
to rinse
your mitt
frequently
as you wash
to get out
all the
grit.
Some people
use the
Foamaster to
presoak the
vehicle,
which helps
to loosen
dirt. Others
like to
spray with
one hand and
wash with
the other.
Either way,
you
should wash
from the top
down and
rinse the
mitt often
in clean
water.
Clean Water
Makes for a
Clean Car
If you’re
taking all
the
precautions
every time
you wash
your vehicle
and you’re
still
getting
spots and
swirls, the
problem may
be the
water.
 No
water is
pure.
All water
has minerals
and most has
some form of
sediment. If
your car
shampoo (or
hair
shampoo)
doesn’t
lather well
and your
faucets and
fixtures
tend to turn
green,
you’ve got
hard water.
If water
will not
sheet off
your vehicle
and you’re
constantly
battling
water spots,
you’ve got
hard water.
Hard water
is mainly
caused by
calcium and
magnesium,
which can be
removed with
a water
softener.
Sediment is
another
common enemy
of any paint
finish.
Sediment is
actually
dirt and
rust in the
water line.
Water
treatment
plants
filter out
sediment but
more
sediment can
enter the
pipes
between the
plant and
your home.
This is why
household
faucets have
screens in
them. If you
have well
water,
beware. You
most likely
have
sediment
and hard
water.
A
Clear Inline
Hose Filter
will clean
and soften
the water
before it
reaches your
vehicle.
Connect it
to any
standard
garden hose
hooked up to
an exterior
spigot.
Insert a
5 micron
sediment
filter
or a
water
softener
cartridge
to address
your
specific
water
problem. The
filter is
easy to
install and
its cost is
nominal
compared to
amount of
time and
money you’ll
save on
paint care.
If you’ve
got both
water
problems,
get two hose
filters so
you can
filter out
sediment and
soften the
water before
it exits the
hose. The
Deluxe
Filter
System
includes
everything
you need to
set up this
simple,
two-step
filtration
system. With
a little
preventative
maintenance,
your vehicle
will rinse
clean and
have less
water-related
micro-marring.
Check out
all the
great tools
and products
we have to
clean your
vehicle
right on our
Washing
page!
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