Paint Correction and Gloss EnhancementThe place to discuss paint correction, polishing, buffers, polishes, pads, wet sanding and all things shiny.
-Hand Polishing
-Polishing with a Dual Action Polisher
-Polishing with a Rotary Polisher
-Wet sanding for show car shine.
I did two cars yesterday back to back. A maroon Acura and a black Audi TT. The sun was high in the sky.
The Acura was just a wash and dry, but we did a wax on the TT.
I use waffle weave dryinag towels and regular microfiber towels to do all my final wipedowns on the paint.
With both cars I noticed that the microfiber was leaving holograms all over the hoods. I know it's my work that did it, because I wipe vertically and that is the direction all the liines go. It isn't the first time I noticed this with the Audi (black paint). It's minor, and the owner always thinks his car looks great. But I know it's there and, having seen show cars that look like black mirrors, I can't stand it. What to do final wipe down with (or drying for that matter) that will reduce the holograms?
I had the same problem on a black olds alero that I did using waffle weave. I repolished the hood and followed it with a wash using megs car wash from a good clean bucket of water and followed by drying with these yellow mega plush (maybe ultra plush) that I had won in a contest of sorts from Poorboys world. These towels were very thick yellow with an orange border. These towels are much more absorbant than any WW that I have used and they did'nt leave this micro marring so they are my exclusive drying towels now. Problem is I only have six of them but I highly recomend them, Hope this helps, TD
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
So you know it is you that is creating the holograms? Do you know specifically that they were created by wash process or during drying? Are you sure they weren't there, but covered with a glaze until you washed it off?
Anyway, assuming you checked your wash media/drying towel(s) for contaminants and there were none; try changing you method of drying. Maybe blot, I hold my folded towel above the surface and allow the edge to "skim" the surface. You need to move slowly to allow the moisture to wick up to the towel. Or you can change your drying towel. Try a terry weave instead of the waffle weave. As mentioned above, try a "drying aid" to add a little bit of cushion/lubricity to the surface.
There are several factors to consider and you're going to be your own best Sherlock Holmes to narrow it down to the offending product/process.
I'll second (or third) using a QD as a drying aid. One other thing to look at it the media you are using to wash your MF towels in. It might be some sort of washing detergent being left in the towels that shows up when the get re-wet during the car drying phase. Try some vinegar in the rinse cycle.
...One other thing to look at it the media you are using to wash your MF towels in. It might be some sort of washing detergent being left in the towels that shows up when the get re-wet during the car drying phase. Try some vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Completely forgot to mention this.
I wash most of MF in hot water which helps to dissolve detergent and any additives (like oxyclean). With the exception of the Charlie's soap powder, most of my laundry detergents are liquids.
Vinegar gets added to the rinse cycle for all of my laundry. Good catch JP
Hi Guys! How's everyone?! try using de-ionized water for final rinsing off. thats all ive ever used. normal tap water usually has too many mineral deposits that might be it. oddly enough it leaves the vehicle without any spots and I air dry the vehicles I do.
I wonder if spraying a QD on before drying would help
That's what I do. I do a primingg couple of sprays on ww towel with pb s&g then one or two sprays per panel as I'm drying. Then whe I use another surface of the towel, I re-spray a couple of priming sprays.
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It's good to be da King !!!
Hi Guys! How's everyone?! try using de-ionized water for final rinsing off. thats all ive ever used. normal tap water usually has too many mineral deposits that might be it. oddly enough it leaves the vehicle without any spots and I air dry the vehicles I do.
I don't, and don't have immediate plans to do so, but I still enjoy reading about those who do and how they do. What system do you use to produce your water? There was a member here who had quite a set-up in his garage (IIRC) to generate his water.
I use a waffle weave towel to dry my cars, all of which are black, and never had any kind of marring issues.
Ditto. I've been using it on my dad's RL ONLY since I de-swirled it last spring and it's holding up great. And that's with Acura's super-soft paint; nothing like rock-hard Audi paint.
But when I get home he wants it detailed for the summer and I get to try my hand at UPP on Nighthawk Black!! I'm so stoked...I want to see that blue flake jump off the paint.
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe - Harbor Gray
Even sometimes I, in a moment of what could only be described as pure sanity, question the rationality of this obsession.
I don't, and don't have immediate plans to do so, but I still enjoy reading about those who do and how they do. What system do you use to produce your water? There was a member here who had quite a set-up in his garage (IIRC) to generate his water.
Hi Mr clean. I get mine from an oilfield services company named Katco Vacuum truck service. I get it for less than 10 cents a gallon. They were the first company I worked for as a truck driver in the early 90's and I knew they had their own de-ionization plant they sold water to other companies by the barrel. I got to know the owner very well and are good friends. I had read about how good d.i. water was for detailing vehicles so my first call was to my friend. I swear by it. the water is awsome and combined with the wash and wax soap I use the fleet vehicles I do I dont have to even hand or blow dry them and they look as if their wet when they are completely dry. My federal contract clients love it.
are you using a fabric softner when washing/drying towels? 
I wonder if spraying a QD on before drying would help
Completely forgot to mention this. 
I'm so stoked...I want to see that blue flake jump off the paint. 
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