The Anti-Car Wash people were right.

[Tim d]

The anti-automatic car wash people were right.

I was wrong.

What does this look like to you?

Can this be undone?

Yikes,not good. I wash ( and wax with paste wax) my vehicles once a year at home every spring.the paint on my 15 year old ram still looks like new.hope my maverick holds up as well!

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[commadorebob]

Can I ask what type of car wash you went to? I have used the local "touch" wash and I have not seen any swirls like that.

 

[Snox801]

Can I ask what type of car wash you went to? I have used the local "touch" wash and I have not seen any swirls like that.

You have a point not all cash washes are the same I took my maverick through one while on a trip in Texas. Rubber style washers and it never pre soaked my truck. Made my paint look like crap. The Tommy’s wash in town I use has never left swirls but they do prewash, and a lot of soap.

 

[FamousAmos]

The anti-automatic car wash people were right.

I was wrong.

What does this look like to you?

Can this be undone?

Man, if you go to a drive-thru car wash, TOUCHLESS is the only way to go! Even if you have to drive a distance to get to it. I have gone touchless for the last 15 years or so, and never a scratch or complaint. This is especially necessary now, with paints getting thinner and cheaper every year.

 

[crashdumie]

https://www.amazon.com/Carfidant-Sc...b4c7ecbb9f824&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

 

[Shawn]

The anti-automatic car wash people were right.

I was wrong.

What does this look like to you?

Can this be undone?

As an owner of black cars, never use the car wash unless you don't care about swirls. I have 4 black cars, wash at home, doesn't take any longer than going to car wash. As someone else said two bucket method is best practice, idea with that is removing dirt to prevent scratches, so you have a rinse bucket for sponge or mitt. I don't use two bucket method myself but, grew up poor so still using the same bucket I have had since 1993, and occasionaly have got a rock on the mitt that left a scratch and had to buff out. Here are my tips once you get that buffed out looking new again:

1. Buy 2 buckets. They also make inserts that keep you mitt off the bottom and trap dirt, they do help as I recently got one even though still usong one bucket.
2. Hose off any caked on dirt, if you went offroading use a pressure washer first.
3. Don't press on the mitt when washing. Pressure causes scratches, most of the dirt wipes off.
4. Rinse mitt frequently.
5. Start with top of vehicle as it is cleanest. I do roof, hood top half of fenders and doors first in that order, then front and rear bumpers, bottom of fenders and doors last as they get caked with most dirt. This way dirt creating swirls is biggest risk on bottom of car and any swirls you do get down there are very hard for you to see, so won't upset you later.

I had a 12 year old black Silverado I traded on the Mav and paint looked so good they thought it was several years newer.

I live in Midwest so I do use the touchless car wash in the winter, but never removes salt film, however thanks to global warming we have been getting some abnormally warm days in recent years so I try to wash at home if it's 60 degrees or so out.

 

[donaldtr54]

I go to an auto wash. called AUTOWASH. no brushes just high pressure spray and a rotating spray heads. Works great.

 

[WoodWorks]

I’m not going to spend the good part of an afternoon washing, not to mention waxing, any car of mine. Life is short. Eat dessert first!

 

[Red Ryder]

3M Imperial Hand Glaze
Meguiar's Scratch X (for stubborn deeper scratches)
Collinite 845 Insulator Wax

No kidding, these products (used as directed) will resolve your issues and also provide a shinier, easier to maintain finish.

 

[Optimus]

If truly just swirl marks, yes it’s completely correctable with a polish/detail. Dark paints show everything. We have a shadow black Mav. I’ve always leaned towards black paint, as it “keeps me honest.”

 

[jorl]

DON'T go to "automatic" car washes-that is some thin paint on top of thin metal

 

[tciotti2003]

As written already, get your truck professionally done and have a ceramic coating done and you'll be amazed at how good tour paint and glass will come out. Once you do that it's just a quick rinse and dry

 

[Old Fart]

I like Scratch Doctor by New Finish, it's a liquid buffing compound, use it with a micro fiber cloth, clay bars are good for removing dull grime but the Scratch Dr. is good for blemishes but it takes elbow grease.

 

[nascarlurg]

The anti-automatic car wash people were right.

I was wrong.

What does this look like to you?

Can this be undone?

Meguiar's® M3 Mirror Glaze can be applied by hand as well as an orbital

They have several cuts...a medium and fine. I think fine would be the right one first.

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-m2-mirror-glaze-fine-cut-cleaner-16oz.html

 

[Criss944]

Just pay for your "we told you so" mistake.

It doesn't look like car wash damage to me. It looks like poor car prep with a circular polisher covered up with a wax job that finally washed off.
My Maverick has been through the car wash about 60 times, no scratches no swirls.

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