I hate when you wash your truck and the next day it's sitting in the driveway with that fine layer of dust. I end up washing and drying the truck again instead of using SPRAY DETAILER in fear of some grim being in there and scratching the paint. Anyone else nervious using spry detailer?
Or do you guys go nuts with this stuff?
Any horror stories?

 

I just picked up another gallon of #34 Final Inspection. It's good stuff and I keep a bottle filled up and in my truck box at ALL times. When used properly it can do the trick between washings. My recommendation is to use your head....dust and things are fine to take off....after a rain, sure. After driving in a muddy field .....um no.

Just make sure you are using Microfiber towels to use the product. But you should know that by now.

 

For dust use a california duster. Never had any problems with them scratching any of my vehicles.

 

I would concur with RR...

Common sense goes a LONG way in determining on if I wash or QD. We all have our personal favorites but, there are products that are designed to deal with more grime than others...

For example, you wouldn't jump in and spray on 4-Star Ultimate Gloss Enhancer (UGE) on a really dusty surface... whereas, you may jump in and spray Poorboy's Spray & Wipe on that surface.

So, speaking back to the common sense aspect -- know your product. Know it's limitations and know what it was designed to do.

I'll echo using a VERY nice microfiber towel -- one with plenty of nap. Additionally, no downward pressure is a big thing to think about. In short, let the chemical lift the dust and such and allow the towel to remove it. You're not scrubbing here.

I can certainly attest that most of the swirls and straight-line scratching that I have in my paint has been induced by QD'ing when I should've washed. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario but, that's okay... we all live with our actions and polish accordingly.

All in all, it boils down to one thing... 'do ya feel lucky? well, do ya?'.

 

One of my other detail OCD buddies swears by the optimum no rinse wash stuff. Here is the link.

would be curious to get RockPick's opinion on that?

http://www.optimumcarcare.com/norinse.html

 

Haven't tried that one...

 

I also like and use Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (ONR). Depending on its dilution, it can be used as a very cost effective clay lube, quick detailer, wash, etc. I regularly use this product and similar products for different functions. DP 4 in 1 is another excellent no-rinse wash product just like ONR and another very similar product is Quick Easy Wash (QEW). These products are especially great for washing vehicles where there are water restrictions, but they have many other uses which are why they’re a staple in products I frequently use.

 

I live on a dirt road, I just rinse it off with no nozzle on the hose so the water sheets off and than I use a backpack leaf blower to dry. Works wonders, less abrassive, less chance to create swirls and scratches!

 

I've got a microfiber automotive duster that works great. It doesn't have the wax in it like the California Dusters do.

Not a single scratch or swirl yet from knocking off the dust and I normally use the thing at least two to three times a week so long as settled out dust is all that I'm trying to remove. I just used it last night after my truck sat in a white rock parking lot next to the boat ramp all day Sunday.

It looks like it did just after I washed it Saturday once again.

 

I use either DP 4 in 1 or Megs Last Touch as a QD! To me, it leaves the surface lookin' good. I really use it in the morning (Wiping the overnight rain or pollen off the hood)

 

I like the duster myself also. I've found that if you lightly drag, just letting the nap barley touch the paint it won't scratch.

QD's....I dunno....I'm just a little apprehensive and that is do to the fact I have black paint. I do like the Four Star gloss enhancer, comparing it to a wax booster--it does what it says, for much less money.

I haven't seen a microfiber duster. Do you happen to have a link? Or know where I could purchase one?

 

Believe it or not, it's actually one of the few useful things that I have found in Wal Mart's detail isle.


Here is a link to the exact one that I picked up at Wal Mart: http://factoronegarage.easystorecrea...ter-detail.htm

 

Very cool.....I thank you sir.

 

Glad to help. Seems like it was a few dollars cheaper at Wal Mart.

Those wound strands start to unwind with use and washing making it even more effective.

 

I believe anything microfiber it that regard would be optimal.

The waffle weave MF towels (sold in the housewares department) are very good towels as well. Check em out, see what you think. They are perfect for auto detailing IMO. They'd sell like crazy if they moved them to the automotive section.