i just bought a 1992 firebird. i just repainted it to a black pearl. i was wondering what is the best way to wash the car without leaving 'swirls' or fine scratches? Please list specific details. Appreciate the help.

 

What I would do with mine is get a nice white soft wash cloth, and rip the tags off of it. Make sure you wash and rinse one panel at a time, and pay attention to what you are doing. NEVER EVER put any towels, or rags you are using on the ground! If you drop it, get a new one, It will pick up rocks, debris and can do some real damage. Never use dish soap on your car either, I only wash mine with water. And also when drying, you can do the same thing as with washing. Get a couple nice white bath towels (or microfiber would be better I guess) and rip off the tags. Wash all of the rags and towels every 2-3 times you wash the car. And remember also to keep the paint nice and sealed up also.. I use this method with my black Trans Am, and it has been working awesome for me!

 

My family has been washing our cars with dishsoap for years and have never had a problem, but yea to be on the safe side, i'd just use water too.

 

After the new paint has cured a good coat of wax is always a good idea, that way you're washing on wax not paint. While I also don't believe you should use dish soap, a good car wash soap should be safe to use. You mite find some good info in the appearance and detailing board here on TGO.

 

The only time dish soap should be used is when you want to remove the wax prior to detailing and rewaxing.

Never use a sponge to wash the car. A sponge is natural and holds coarse objects like sand and dirt. You want to wash with a chenille cotton wash mit. Only use 100% cotton. Always rinse the car and keep it wet while washing. Start washing from the top down using a good car wash soap. Also, don't use hot water as that will remove wax. Never use the same wash mit for rims, wheel wells or extremely dirty lower panels as you use for the top portions of the car. Rinse the wash mit regularly to remove any debris.

Dry the car with a synthetic chamois or 100% cotton towels. I use the Wizards Water Bandit or the Griot's Garage premium chamois. You can minimize the surface touching by using a California water blade to remove the majority of the water. Rinse it off before use. Use a leaf blower or air gun to remove standing water from around door handles, taillights and mirrors, etc. That will leave less water to try and absorb. Be sure to focus the air at these areas and not allow it to hit the ground and kick up dirt. The Wizards Water Bandit absorbs the remaining water really well.

When washing and drying, always go in one direction and don't swirl the drying towel. The towels should be white as the dye for color has abasives in it. When washing and drying, never use fabric softener on the towels used on the car. Again, the fabric softener itself can be abrasive to the paint. Always keep a good coat of wax on the car and that will help aid in water removal which means less contact with the paint when drying.

 

I agree with scott never never use dishsoap. I use to work in a body shop and the only time it should be used is to help strip wax off a car. I use meguires gold class car wash it seems to work very well for me. How long has it been since you painted the car? We always told people to wait about a month before waxing. I currently work for a private ambulance service been here for 5 years and whenever we recieve a new ambulance the company that builds them for us tells us not to wash with any soap for 30 days and absolutely no wax for 90 days on the new paint. So if you wait at least a month to wax you should be good. Just dont go cheap on your wax get a good wax even if it is a little pricey, I am partial to meguires products myself.

 

Thanks a ton guys. realy good advice. Appreciate it. Truly is great to have a website like this. =)