Is it impossible to wax the car without putting scratches in it?

[GoingUp]

So I waxed my new car on Sunday. Used brand new microfiber towels that I washed once beforehand and mother's 100% carnuba wax. Washed the car right before I waxed it to with the Mr. Clean kit.. Made sure I started with the top of the car and washed to the bottom. Didn't touch the wheels till I was done with washing the body.

Now when I look at my newly shined car in the garage, if I catch the light at a very specific angle, I can see occasional microscratches. When you look at it directly or from 95% of the other viewing angles you see nothing, but if you catch the light just right, you might see some small microscratches that I don't remember seeing before.

I waxed and buffed the thing by hand, because I've never used a buffer before and didn't want to screw anything up.

 

[overst33r]

The swirls/spiderwebs were likely there beforehand. Visit www.autopia.org, read their guides, pick up a PC and some compounds, and spend a few days doing some paint correction.

 

[mooseracing]

It's impossible to touch any thing and not put a scratch in it. Nearly all the repair procedures out there unless you are refilling with paint will just make the scratches finer so that you can't see them with your eye, like how a needle is blunt and not pointy.

 

[thomsbrain]

Dealerships polish their new cars far too often and far too clumsily to make sure they are all shiny every day on the lot, and it's fairly common for new cars to be delivered with swirl marks already present in the clear coat. I doubt you did anything wrong with your hand-waxing.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Dealerships polish their new cars far too often and far too clumsily to make sure they are all shiny every day on the lot, and it's fairly common for new cars to be delivered with swirl marks already present in the clear coat. I doubt you did anything wrong with your hand-waxing.

Yea but the scratch I saw was about 10 inches long and in almost a straight line. Its damn near impossible to see, but I'm pretty sure I put it in the car...

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Dealerships polish their new cars far too often and far too clumsily to make sure they are all shiny every day on the lot, and it's fairly common for new cars to be delivered with swirl marks already present in the clear coat. I doubt you did anything wrong with your hand-waxing.

Yea but the scratch I saw was about 10 inches long and in almost a straight line. Its damn near impossible to see, but I'm pretty sure I put it in the car...

10" long in a straight line = most likely put on by your sponge or sponge equivelent, or while drying


<---- former auto detailer


you should be applying wax/buffing it off in small circular motions no? if that were true then it's impossible to scratch your vehicle like that while waxing 🙂

 

[alkemyst]

If you didn't wash and dry your microfiber (MF) properly you can make them harsh. MF should be washed with just plain detergent and dried at low heat or no heat settings. If you wash or dry your MF with anything else esp terry you will make them a mess.

Also those using acronyms, are you just googling stuff up? One should know PC, DA, 7424, #83 etc are pretty cryptic to those not in the know.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
If you didn't wash and dry your microfiber (MF) properly you can make them harsh. MF should be washed with just plain detergent and dried at low heat or no heat settings. If you wash or dry your MF with anything else esp terry you will make them a mess.

Also those using acronyms, are you just googling stuff up? One should know PC, DA, 7424, #83 etc are pretty cryptic to those not in the know.

Legend for those not in the know

PC = porter cable
DA = dual action
7424 = probably porter cable model
#83 = most likely a # from meguiar's professional series of waxes

 

[fstime]

Two possibilities, it was there before but covered up by grime, washing the car brought the scratch out more.

Or, you got a small rock in your sponge/drying towel/whatever or used old supplies that have been laying around.

100% cotton will not scratch the car, it is not the best for holding water however (drying).

 

[aleckz]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
The swirls/spiderwebs were likely there beforehand. Visit www.autopia.org, read their guides, pick up a PC and some compounds, and spend a few days doing some paint correction.

Also, the clear on most new cars is going to have orange peel, so if you want your car to look like glass its going to be a long process.

 

[batmang]

Dual action orbital buffer/polisher (Porter Cable FTW). Thats the ONLY REAL way to get that crap out of the paint. Trust me, I have a black car and I've tried everything.