Car Wash Possible Without Swirl Marks? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Infern0 · 04-28-2011, 09:13 PM

Is it possible to take a black Camaro to a car wash to have it washed and NOT get swirl marks from it?

There's a pretty decent one next to my house which does unlimited washes for $40/month.

It's tempting, but I've only washed it myself until now and can count the faint number of swirl marks on one hand. I'd like to keep it that way.

ron10 · 04-28-2011, 09:18 PM

just make sure it is a touchless wash.don't use a rag to dry it.use a blow dryer.

The Stig · 04-28-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron10

just make sure it is a touchless wash.don't use a rag to dry it.use a blow dryer.

+1

Junkman2008 · 04-28-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infern0

Is it possible to take a black Camaro to a car wash to have it washed and NOT get swirl marks from it?

There's a pretty decent one next to my house which does unlimited washes for $40/month.

It's tempting, but I've only washed it myself until now and can count the faint number of swirl marks on one hand. I'd like to keep it that way.

Short answer, NO. If you want to avoid swirl marks, you have got to do a proper two-bucket wash. Anything short equals swirl marks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron10

just make sure it is a touchless wash.don't use a rag to dry it.use a blow dryer.

That won't completely clean the car but it won't scratch it up either.

Chobbs11 · 04-28-2011, 09:47 PM

Don't take it to a carwash! I would only use a touchless if you have to get snow and salt off in the winter when it's too cold to wash by hand. And even then, that's a last resort. There's nothing safer than a proper two bucket wash.

coolman · 04-28-2011, 09:57 PM

If you want your car screwed up then take it to a car wash. There is no such thing as a pretty good one. If you get unlimited washes for 40 a month it can't be that great.

Juiced1 · 04-28-2011, 10:03 PM

Get a nice swirl remover wax and make sure you toss that on there every now and again. It does wonders for black cars. Also, Turtle wax makes a nice was for black cars to but it only lasts a couple washes. Try using a terri cloth to dry it off to. Seems to help some.

Buffnshine · 04-28-2011, 11:15 PM

Simple answer ... No

Junkman2008 · 04-29-2011, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced1

Get a nice swirl remover wax and make sure you toss that on there every now and again. It does wonders for black cars. Also, Turtle wax makes a nice was for black cars to but it only lasts a couple washes. Try using a terri cloth to dry it off to. Seems to help some.

Wax doesn't remove swirls, polish does. Wax protects paint. No one uses terry cloths to beat up their paint anymore. That was what we did back in the 70's and 80's. Now it's microfiber. Lastly, Turtle Wax is not something you want to use if you are serious about taking care of your paint.

Infern0 · 04-29-2011, 08:27 AM

Yeah, two bucket wash is how I've done it the last two (almost) years. I was sure that was going to be the answer too; was just hoping for a little break from the hassle sometimes.

Thanks for the tips.

The Stig · 04-29-2011, 10:21 AM

Not to thread jack, but Junkman. Is there a difference between using the PC to wax versus waxing by hand? I still use my PC for polishing, etc but find it easier to apply wax by hand then with the PC.

Junkman2008 · 04-29-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stieger

Not to thread jack, but Junkman. Is there a difference between using the PC to wax versus waxing by hand? I still use my PC for polishing, etc but find it easier to apply wax by hand then with the PC.

I find the same thing true as you do. The only wax that I have used that required a PC is MSW. It is designed to be applied by machine. Other than that product, I prefer applying wax by hand also.

The Stig · 04-29-2011, 11:34 AM

Glad to see I'm not the only one still preferring the old school method of doing things.

h2oplay · 04-29-2011, 11:54 AM

most ladies prefer the touch of a hand rather than some mechanical device

04-28-2011, 09:13 PM	#1
Infern0 Bring It Drives: In Between Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,929 View My Garage	Car Wash Possible Without Swirl Marks? Is it possible to take a black Camaro to a car wash to have it washed and NOT get swirl marks from it? There's a pretty decent one next to my house which does unlimited washes for $40/month. It's tempting, but I've only washed it myself until now and can count the faint number of swirl marks on one hand. I'd like to keep it that way.

04-28-2011, 11:15 PM	#8
Buffnshine So Cal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: '10 SS/RS, '06 HHR, '70 El Camino Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,589 View My Garage	Simple answer ... No __________________ TEAM L99 - So Cal Camaro5 Race Team #27 9/5/09 Purchased #36962 Black 1SS/RS L99 "E-TCKT" Base Dyno 328hp/341tq @BBK meet Mods to Date: Window Tint 5% & 15%, ACC P13W Lighting, Adaptive DRL Harness, Ghost Armor, Lloyds "SS" Mats, Dash Plaque, Flowmaster Outlaw Exhaust, Drake Front Bowtie Delete, Stealth 3457 Chrome/Mirror Signal Bulbs, Grant Revolutions Steering Wheel, PFADT Sport Springs, Sway Bars, End Links, Trailing Arms, 4 Wheel Alignment, Hurst Auto Shifter and Paddle Shifter, Satin Black Rear Tail Light Bezels

04-29-2011, 10:21 AM	#11
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Not to thread jack, but Junkman. Is there a difference between using the PC to wax versus waxing by hand? I still use my PC for polishing, etc but find it easier to apply wax by hand then with the PC. __________________

04-29-2011, 11:34 AM	#13
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Glad to see I'm not the only one still preferring the old school method of doing things. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Onstar....a spy???? please comment	dieseldave24v	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	138	02-23-2012 02:12 PM
Removing Swirl Marks using a Flex and Meguiars M105/M205	Angelo@Autopia	Cosmetic Maintenance: Washing, Waxing, Detailing, Bodywork, Protection	5	05-22-2010 11:36 PM
Retail Car Wash - good idea or bad idea?	Kllr Ryd	Cosmetic Maintenance: Washing, Waxing, Detailing, Bodywork, Protection	19	11-28-2009 05:23 PM
Pedders Suspension Benchmark Track Testing and New Jersey Track Day	Info@PeddersUSA.com	USA - NY / NJ / PA	35	10-26-2009 06:20 PM
09 Mustang GT and 09 Challenger R/T test drives	CamaroSpike23	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	19	04-10-2009 05:27 PM

04-28-2011, 09:18 PM	#2
ron10 Drives: 2010 2SS IOM L99 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: LOUISVILLE,KY.. Posts: 7,545	just make sure it is a touchless wash.don't use a rag to dry it.use a blow dryer.

04-28-2011, 09:47 PM	#5
Chobbs11 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 IBM Camaro LS Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 361	Don't take it to a carwash! I would only use a touchless if you have to get snow and salt off in the winter when it's too cold to wash by hand. And even then, that's a last resort. There's nothing safer than a proper two bucket wash.

04-28-2011, 09:57 PM	#6
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	If you want your car screwed up then take it to a car wash. There is no such thing as a pretty good one. If you get unlimited washes for 40 a month it can't be that great.

04-28-2011, 10:03 PM	#7
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,648	Get a nice swirl remover wax and make sure you toss that on there every now and again. It does wonders for black cars. Also, Turtle wax makes a nice was for black cars to but it only lasts a couple washes. Try using a terri cloth to dry it off to. Seems to help some.

04-29-2011, 08:27 AM	#10
Infern0 Bring It Drives: In Between Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,929 View My Garage	Yeah, two bucket wash is how I've done it the last two (almost) years. I was sure that was going to be the answer too; was just hoping for a little break from the hassle sometimes. Thanks for the tips.

04-29-2011, 11:54 AM	#14
h2oplay Winners find a way Drives: 2010 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,137	most ladies prefer the touch of a hand rather than some mechanical device