micro scatches on my black coupe!
 

I was looking at my car in some kind of night lighting and saw scratches all over my car, you can only see them in this light, not normally, so I was like what in the He** causes that?? I must have scratched my car when washing it! I have used a regular car sponge and wash mitt , I dry it with a drying towel. Now, I am afraid to wash my car with anything except spray! :help:

Wecome to the world of a black car owner!

Check out this thread:
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...threadid=39752

Here's one method to dry a car, I haven't tried it:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...1556773&page=8

I've started to use microfiber products exclusively on my car. I use a microfiber wash mitt, drying towel, applicator pads, and polishing cloths.
I would stay away from the car sponge, use something that will "trap" more dirt.
I still get stratches and some spider-webbing. But it's very minimal now. My car's a daily driver, and it's outside 24/7. I have to learn and live with some slight scratches.

i use microfiber towels ( www.zwipes.com ) and the absorber to dry. both are available at k-mart for around $15. :tup:

Here's one guy's washing technique to avoid marring your paint:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...4827926-1.html

Note the mention of a leaf blower to dry the car. Some guys are nuts, but I guess when you don't touch the paint, you wont scratch it! I'm actually contemplating buying one!
One thing that's seems really popular is the two bucket technique for washing. One bucket with suds, and one for rinsing your wash mitt. This minimizes the amount of dirt that may get 'ground' into your paint while washing the car. Rinse your mitt often to keep it clean, and use the soap water to keep the dirt suspended in the your wash mitt before you rinse it.
I try to blot or pat dry my paint instead of wiping it. The waffle weave MF towels do a good job. I don't seem to get as many scratches as I used to.

Thanks ya'll I really appreciate the tips and any more advice is welcome. Thanks albs
and rckdrmr.

I am going to get the absorber, but I believe the microscratches were caused by the sponge, I need to get a microfiber wash mitt, I now use a wash mitt but it is a cheaper cotton one from advance auto parts

i get that on my black civic too. i use the absorber to dry but once you throw on a nice coat of wax you see it alot less.

microfiber is the black-car-savior :) microfiber mitt, microfiber drying waffle-weave towel (more absorbancy), microfiber applicator pad, microfiber polish removal towel, and microfiber towel for detailspray... all are different, all feel different.. designed for their particular applications...

as for the leaf blower... i couldn't agree more.. i own and use one... i blow the whole car off, then take the waffleweave towel and get the areas that still have some residual, etc...

Local car wash?
 

I just washed my car at the local car wash where you wash it yourself and
it is just $1.00 for 4 minutes because it was covered in mud, and I have taken off my mud guards (like a fool). I noticed the sudsy brush I have used many times is very course! Maybe this is what has caused the micro scratches! What do ya'll know about the do - it - yourself car wash? My car looks clean now! But, I am wondering about the wash from the spray gun if it okay to use and that sudsy brush looks rough , far from microfiber!! I will be gettin the absorber, and looking for a microfiber wash mitt.......but is the car wash cool?

definitely! that's your issue.. no brush, regardless of the softness of the bristles, is good for you clearcoat/paint...

here's a good link for high quality microfiber.. attention was paid to detail even with stitching around edges, etc...

http://www.tropicarecarproducts.com/...home.php?cat=3

(fyi.. if u wash your microfiber towels, do not use a fabric softener, either liquid in the wash or sheets in the dryer)

I would be careful at these DIY car washes:
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...harsh+car+soap

At least you have control over what you do with the pressure sprayers and soap brushes.

Some people use the Griot's Boar's Hair Brush with some success, but I wouldn't trust it. I'll stick with what works for me, my microfiber wash mitt. My Civic's small enough to wash with the mitt.
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...harsh+car+soap

Use low heat for drying your microfiber towels. High heat can damage them permanently.
Here's some info on microfiber that will make your head spin:
http://autopia-carcare.com/inf-microfiber.html

After ya'll have helped me out, I can't believe I have used the brush at the DIY car wash places!! I am sure this caused my microscratches! Never again! What about the
pile wash mitts or sheepskin wash mitts at advance auto, they say safe for clearcoat.
I got my absorber to dry, now I just need a very safe mitt. I can keep my pile mitt I got at advance.....Thanks for the help.

People seem to like chenille or the lambswool mitts:

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...ight=wash+mitt

Note what "eggroll" says about sponges below:
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...ight=wash+mitt

Mr. Clean Auto Dry, it works.

Thanks bro! :2pimp:

I worked in an auto body shop for 10 Years, and the only time I've ever seen black paint perfect... Is 5 min after it came out of the paint booth. No matter what you wash the car with it will get scratches, you can use waxes and polishes to hide it, but when ever those products wash off, the scratches will still be there.

as some one said befor, welcom to the wonderfull world of Black car ownership.

[QUOTE=Zzyzx]I worked in an auto body shop for 10 Years, and the only time I've ever seen black paint perfect... Is 5 min after it came out of the paint booth. No matter what you wash the car with it will get scratches, you can use waxes and polishes to hide it, but when ever those products wash off, the scratches will still be there.QUOTE]

agreed.