Taken all precautions and still see scratches.

Soygen · 04-30-2010, 05:11 PM

So we finally had a clear weekend and I decided to bust out the Ultimate Zaino kit I bought and wash/polish the car. I thought I had taken all precautions to prevent scratching, but in the right light I can still see fine scratches on various sections of the car. I really have to get sunlight and look in the right angle, but I see them.

I used all of Zaino's products as directed and bought 100% cotton towels at Macy's and chopped the borders off. I suspect the culprit may be the microfiber mitt that I bought at Target. What do you guys use to actually wash the car? I'm hoping the cotton towels I got aren't doing it, but unfortunately, I didn't really notice the scratches until after I had used all the different products and didn't have a chance to narrow down what did it.

370Zsteve · 04-30-2010, 05:14 PM

http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...-z-videos.html

Soygen · 04-30-2010, 05:23 PM

Excellent. Thanks for the link.

Still though, what are people using for wet-washing their car. The actual washing phase.

370Zsteve · 04-30-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soygen

Excellent. Thanks for the link.

Still though, what are people using for wet-washing their car. The actual washing phase.

You'll see that this guy has many more vids on his Youtube channel, etc. Some of them are pretty long and detailed, make some popcorn, he's amusing and he knows.

Xan · 04-30-2010, 05:27 PM

I use the wash pad that Adam sells... I also use their drying towel and microfibers...

Adam's Professional Wash Pad

azn370z · 04-30-2010, 05:27 PM

Get the yellow towels from zaino, super soft. I used to use 100% cotton towels without borders. Your car probably had swirl marks when the dealership washed it. If you use the 2 bucket system and pat your car dry you won't get any more swirl marks. Also use 2 set of wash mitts for the body, one for the lower part of the car.

6MT · 04-30-2010, 05:38 PM

Can you say, "lighter color"?

Soygen · 04-30-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

You'll see that this guy has many more vids on his Youtube channel, etc. Some of them are pretty long and detailed, make some popcorn, he's amusing and he knows.

Wow, he has a ton of videos. Thanks. I'll watch these over the weekend.

kenchan · 04-30-2010, 09:35 PM

cotton towels. i dont use them. i dont have swirls on my Z.

use of cotton towels is too pre-2005.

Zaggeron · 04-30-2010, 09:42 PM

Obviously if patting the car dry with a clean, dry, soft, borderless cotton towel leaves scratches, no amount of care will keep it scratch free.

I'm guessing some other part of the process left the marks or they were left by the dealer detailing process.

kfscoll · 05-01-2010, 01:05 AM

I've never had good luck with cotton towels, no matter how fancy or "100% cotton" they claimed to be. IMHO you should get some quality microfiber towels (the Turtle Wax Ice ones are awesome, believe it or not) and you'll be good to go.

04-30-2010, 05:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Soygen Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 163 Drives: 2017 BMW M2 6MT Rep Power: 15	Taken all precautions and still see scratches. So we finally had a clear weekend and I decided to bust out the Ultimate Zaino kit I bought and wash/polish the car. I thought I had taken all precautions to prevent scratching, but in the right light I can still see fine scratches on various sections of the car. I really have to get sunlight and look in the right angle, but I see them. I used all of Zaino's products as directed and bought 100% cotton towels at Macy's and chopped the borders off. I suspect the culprit may be the microfiber mitt that I bought at Target. What do you guys use to actually wash the car? I'm hoping the cotton towels I got aren't doing it, but unfortunately, I didn't really notice the scratches until after I had used all the different products and didn't have a chance to narrow down what did it.

04-30-2010, 05:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 42	http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...-z-videos.html __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

04-30-2010, 05:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts:99999999999999 Posts: 3,301 Drives: 370Z 40th Aniversary Rep Power: 24	I use the wash pad that Adam sells... I also use their drying towel and microfibers... Adam's Professional Wash Pad __________________

04-30-2010, 05:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 489	Get the yellow towels from zaino, super soft. I used to use 100% cotton towels without borders. Your car probably had swirl marks when the dealership washed it. If you use the 2 bucket system and pat your car dry you won't get any more swirl marks. Also use 2 set of wash mitts for the body, one for the lower part of the car. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts Last edited by azn370z; 04-30-2010 at 05:33 PM.

04-30-2010, 05:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1789	Can you say, "lighter color"? __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

04-30-2010, 05:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Soygen Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 163 Drives: 2017 BMW M2 6MT Rep Power: 15	Excellent. Thanks for the link. Still though, what are people using for wet-washing their car. The actual washing phase.

04-30-2010, 09:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	cotton towels. i dont use them. i dont have swirls on my Z. use of cotton towels is too pre-2005.

04-30-2010, 09:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Zaggeron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,951 Drives: '10 370ZR '13 BRZ Rep Power: 18	Obviously if patting the car dry with a clean, dry, soft, borderless cotton towel leaves scratches, no amount of care will keep it scratch free. I'm guessing some other part of the process left the marks or they were left by the dealer detailing process. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

05-01-2010, 01:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
kfscoll Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 86 Drives: 09 370Z BS T/S/N 6MT Rep Power: 15	I've never had good luck with cotton towels, no matter how fancy or "100% cotton" they claimed to be. IMHO you should get some quality microfiber towels (the Turtle Wax Ice ones are awesome, believe it or not) and you'll be good to go. __________________ 2009 Brilliant Silver 370Z 6MT coupe w/ Touring, Sport, and Navigation packages

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