Scratched from Autowash
 

So the past week has been gross out in terms of weather and it finally cleared up so I decided to go through the automatic car wash by my job. I normally go through here every now and then with no problems. However, this afternoon as i was hand drying the Z I noticed the brushes that were going against the car must have been spinning way too hard and I can see a horizontal stretch of tiny scratches across the car =/ Any help on what I can do to get rid of these??:crying:

my advice for future reference never go through car washes that have rotating brushes that go against your car. that really destroys the clarity of your paint. I would suggest next time finding a high pressure car wash (water only) system. If i wash my own car. I always do the two bucket system (search it, its a good technique)

now for you your scratches on your car, it really depends how deep the scratch is. I would do a detail on the car, starting with a heavy compound polish then to a light compound and then a glaze polish to finish it.

its hard to explain because detailing takes a lot of time. Ive always done my own detail and you really need to be patient with the process.

Shame on you! Auto car wash....SMH

I auto car wash in the winter but just the touch free laser wash

If you feel the need to use an automatic car wash, NEVER use one that touches your car. EVER.

If the scratches are minor, try ScratchX 2.0.

I'd recommend that you hire a professional detailer to fix your paint if it bothers you. Then never go through and automatic car wash again.

Guys, easy on the detailing rhetoric. Clearly the guy is an average joe and doesn't have the faintest idea how to detail a car or something like this wouldn't happen in the first place. At this point I think he'd do more harm than good.

If you're really keen on fixing it yourself I would recommend spending a day watching through junkman's detailing vids. They're long but they're important if you want to not **** up.

:iagree:

Lots of paint correction threads on here, as well as videos all over YouTube. If you don't want to go to the trouble of buying a buffer and chemicals, take it to a real detailer. Not the kid down the street, or the tire place that also advertises detailing, but someone who has a buffer and knows how to use it.

Thanks for the advice guys. Definitely learned a lesson here with the auto wash and will be taking it to get professionally detailed. I'm hoping that they can be buffed out as they don't appear to be deep scratches.

yah, and that touchless someone mentioned above... i dont use those either. high pressure, recirculated water, harsh chemicals.

no thanks.

i rather just drive a pos honda fit and look like a middle-aged loser in the winter than ruining my Z.

Hey
 

I resemble that remark!!

104

:iagree: too. Junkman knows his stuff. Worth the time.

then you know you get owned by bimmer douches all the time... :ugh:

I'm sorry but I personally would never use any car wash places. Why?
People take their salty, muddy, greasy cars to wash. Their tires have grease, and small rocks, road dust.. and that same brush is used over and over.

I would recommend Handwashing or go to a detailer at a Nissan dealership.
As far as the scratches go... ask an Auto body shop that you know and trust.
Good luck!

From what I've seen, most dealerships' "detail departments" are staffed by flunkies getting paid minimum wage. Not the type that knows about paint care or cares if they do. YMMV

:thumbsdown: This is often just as bad as a automatic car wash with brushes. They have no clue on proper detailing methods, they use crappy towels, and they often use the same towel on multiple cars. Great way to put scratches on your paint if that's what you're going for :ugh2:

I use the automatic touchless places as a pre rinse if the Z is especially dirty before I detail it. Touchless ONLY. And even then I just do the basic or middle (if I want the undercarriage blast) to keep the chemicals sprayed on the car to a minimum. I am typically headed straight home to hand detail after running through an automatic wash.

Take it to a touchless car wash! :)

Absolutely!

the joker strikes again! :rofl2:

see post 10

I totally agree. The other day I was at the Nissan dealership - they have a brand new black GTR with swirl marks clearly visible thanks to some numnut not cleaning it properly. Imagine what they would do with a vanilla 370z.

hahaha thats where I take mine when I feel lazy to do it by hand.
Just drive it back home and dry it off with a microfiber and im all good haha

lol I LOVE walking into my local dealerships and pointing out the terrible swirls on the GT-R in their showroom :rofl2:

Wash it Yourself!
 

Even "Handwashing" places could/would use a cloth that is dirty. Always use a cleaned (washing machine) micro each time. And lots of suds.
I used Mequiars Ultimate Compound and an inexpensive buffer to remove swirl marks on my previous Z. Takes a lot of time. You have to go over it a lot, but it does work. In my Opinion....NEVER use a heavy compound, or even the "polishing " compound. And start in an inconspicuous place, NOT in the center of your hood.
Cheers