Maintaining a good finish?

I spent the last 2 days correcting the paint on my Bullitt. I have it 95% corrected and I am very happy with the outcome.

Next question is how to maintain this.


I have upgraded to the 2 bucket method with grit guards.


My question is this, I don't daily drive the car. It get's a tad dusty sitting in the garage.


I feel like I need to wash t daily almost, what is a good product to use in-between washes?


a QD with microfibers?

 

Every time you touch the car you introduce the risk and to some degree the reality of marring the paint. I've struggled with this issue of late myself as I'm about to correct my old jag. I've been trying to decide whether two bucket, foam lance, or careful ONR is the way to attain the most protection. I'm pretty sure now that any of the above will be ok if you do it carefully.

I wouldn't use a QD daily to get the dust down and I would not use a California Duster (been down that road). Best thing I could tell you is something like Opticlean on a regular (not daily) basis. Another plan would be a foam clean with a good shampoo every weekend.

ETA: question I think I know the answer to but will put to the peanut gallery --> how much marring would dust on the finish do if not touched and not driven?

 

California Dusters are junk. That my opinion. There is no way anyone can prove to me that dragging dirt, debris and dust across the paint surface, not matter how "special" that raggedy ann looking thing claims to be, will not induce scratching.

If you dont daily drive, then just let the dust sit, and do a two bucket wash, and dry with forced air, and then follow up with DD's big grey drying towel with some QD spray while drying for some added protection.

ETA Answer : Not sure dust will marr the finish that much. I think putting a cover on and off will cause more marring. NO?

 

if you use a product like Cquartz, or Opticoat 2.0 it diminishes the marring during washes...............

 

Agreed.
Dry with the blotting method too.

 

Thanks for all the quick reply's!

 

I think it all depends on if the car is daily driven or like Joey z suggested, in my case I corrected the car, applied Cquartz and followed up with reload, the car would get driven once a week if that. Most of the time the car would sit in the garage and would develop a fine layer of dust.all I had to do was foam the car with Car soap,and use a pressure washer,followed up with my leaf blower.

 

That's probably the easiest and least marring. I've gotten where all I use QD for is a drying aid. I agree with the car cover; having used one, if there is any dust or debris on the car it just becomes a big marr magnet.

 

My experience has been that being too fanatical about a little dust and needing to have it removed is the problem. When I only touch the car to wash it and then blow dry it, I have not had noticeable marring. When I start getting fanatical and start using a QD to remove a light dust layer, I invariably get marring. That and when I stop using the air drying method and switch back to a MF towel. As others have said, any time you touch the car you run the risk of marring the paint... even when you are careful. My advice is avoid using a QD to remove light dust and dirt, always take the time to do a two bucket wash and blow dry and the car will go a long time without marring.

 

sadly i was that OCD about my car, I could go two weeks without driving it, the dust would kill me, and I know using a QD would marr it, so i would just wash it LOL.

sometimes its the most extreme method that works, and if you are bummed about washing your car to remove some dust, time to get off this forum and find a new hobby. part of the insanity of this hobby..........is going to that extreme.

 

Car cover?

 

no, I have never found a car cover that does not scratch the finish..... besides I liked looking at the car. if the car has any dirt, dust or pollen on it, the minute you put a cover on it, marring will occur............


this is from my experience, and I had a custom cover for my IS350............. and I learned the hard way.

 

My dad has a cover as our garage is packed to the brim. It's purpose is to prevent things falling on it. I'll be detailing that car this summer. I'll see if I can leave it off after it is polished.

 

Been using this combo to fight dust and pollen and find I have not had any marring issues on my Mach 1 yet. I read a review on UWW+ on L2D and had to give it a go after hearing such great things about it and since I ran out of my gallon of Prima Slick. Both are priced great.

Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate (16oz makes 5.5 gallons just dilute with distilled water. 2.90 oz made me a gallon of ready to use waterless wash, just use my gallon of slick and a gallon of distilled water I picked up. I then put the ready to use UWW+ in my .5L Kwazar)

10 pack of Eurow Microfiber Double Density Towels 12 X 16 inch 660 GSM from Amazon

 

Learn to let go, simply wash the car when its dirty and needs a wash. The less you touch it the more perfect the paint stays.

 

My thoughts exactly.

Thankyou David.

Dan F

 

for me, easier said then done.......... thank god I sold that car (for that reason alone), I could care less now if my truck is dirty.

my OCD would kick in, it actually freaked me out sometimes to see dust on it.

 

This is a question that has left to realize that I have NO need for a QD

 

More interestingly is that manufacturers still sell it - and it's a popular product category - yet it's damaging the finish. :shead:

 

If the paint is properly sealed then wouldn't the dust be easy to just rinse off without the need of touching the paint. Keyword being Dust.