Been meaning to post this. For some it may be a no brainer but I thought I'd pass it along. My son and I share a plastic bucket to wash our cars. I always rinse it out, he doesn't. I've noticed a fair amount of road grit in the bucket that accumulates after a car wash. This stuff can get in your sponge, mitt, whatever and its just like sandpaper on your finish. Always make sure you are dealing with a clean bucket. I rinse ours before and after washing my car.

Pat

 

Thanks, Pat! Good tip.

 

I not only keep a clean wash bucket, but I use a 100% cotton towel instead of a wash mitt or sponge. After washing and drying the car, I throw the towels in the washing machine to clean out all the grit that may have accumulated in them. This is especially helpful if you have a black car (like me) and want to minimize the swirl marks.

 

Had two black PT's, I know what you mean. Any little thing you can do to prevent those swirls. I'm so **** I buy a new pack of sponges each week. Once its used it goes in the used sponge pile. The past six months I've started using my leaf blower to get the balance of the water off the car after I wash it. Its also helpful getting that lingering water out of the cracks and crevices, then as you do I dry with a 100% cotton towel then hit it with Zaino Z-6. With the blower I can dry the entire car with 1 towel.

Pat

 

If you're really, really ****, you'd also be concerned about the minute particulates that the leaf blower may be blasting into your car.

First, I don't even use a bucket anymore. I use one of those sprayers with a soap reservoir. I spray down my wash mitt between each section washed. After giving one final hose-down, I back up the car a few feet and stop abruptly to shake off most of the loose water. I repeat the same in forward. At this point, I use regular cotton terrycloth towels, sometimes supplemented with the use of an "Absorber" synthetic chamois.

I have also been known to use a "blade" to remove excess water and have found it to be a great tool to get the bulk of the water off quickly. I follow it with an immediate toweling. I have never noticed any ill effects from using a blade.

 

If he ain't rinsing the bucket he ain't rinsing the sponge. My son pulls the same crap, and I nearly choke him every time. He also uses my chamois after half washing his car which ruins it as well. I bought him his own wash kit...saves my paint, sanity, and his life (I ain't built for prison).

~ Jess

 

That's exactly what I do as well. The blade/towel combination can dry my car in less than 10 minutes. It's much easier than fooling with a chamois because you don't have to wring it out.

 

I haven't washed my XF yet since it's been in the shop for 2 of the 7 days I've owned it and will be there for a few more days. With my Durango, there's a guy who comes out to my office with his pressure washer and does a killer interior/exterior wash for $23. My husband is super picky about his 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Big Horn and even he gets his truck washed this way. He has custom paint and they do an awesome job. Would you suggest pressure washing for my XF or should I switch to getting it detailed? Doing it myself is not an option. It's not that I'm lazy... I just don't have the time to do it right.

 

midnightman - My son uses a blade and a chamois route, to each his own. When I use the leaf blower its very close to the car doubt its picking up any minute particles. If it is you wouldn't know it, the finish looks like glass, no swirls whatsoever.
I know nothing about pressure washing, doesn't sound like something I'd do but then again I have time to waste on the weekends so cleaning my car is part of my chores. I would hope that someone who does this professionally knows what they are doing. Personally it sounds a little harsh to me but then again what I do sounds harsh to midnightman. Bottom line is try and be as careful with your finish as you can.

Pat