Argh! How to keep from micro-marring the paint?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cycledrum, Sep 7, 2009.

  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I was drying my car in the shade this morning, then the sun shined on the door soon after ...

    I could see micro-marr on the door, not circular, but linear. I saw a vertical swath of micro-marr, and I suspect it may be from the drying towel.

    I use 2 waffle-weave microfiber towels, $10 each, one to get most water off, then I follow with the other towel to final dry. Is this the problem since I'm using a dry towel on mostly dry paint?

    I wash them in Woolite after every car wash and keep them in a drawer.

    The marring is not really bad, but I see some in the paint.

    How to keep from doing any micro-marring / swirling on the paint? I've tried pretty hard to do it right.
     
    #1 cycledrum, Sep 7, 2009
  2. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

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    I use a elec leaf blower to dry mine.
     
    #2 LRKingII, Sep 7, 2009
  3. Green Hokie

    Green Hokie Member

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    If your ww drying towels are indeed clean as you say, then the micro-marring most likely happened during your particular wash process. There's no way a good quality, clean ww drying towel (even when it's completely dry) will scratch your paint... assuming of course you are not applying a ridiculous amount of pressure with it.
    Anyway, change/correct your wash process and that should take care of it.
     
    #3 Green Hokie, Sep 7, 2009
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Well, I use a sponge with a bunch of microfiber 'fingers' on it. I have used the sponge for 10 washes or more.

    I rinse the sponge in bucket of plain water every time before getting soap. If any dirt on sponge, I rinse it. Maybe I'm not using enough soap in the water.

    I shower the car quite a bit before using a sponge. I use Meguiars Gold Class car wash.

    I don't use a lot of pressure to dry and keep a lookout for dirt on the towels.

    I certainly don't have the heavy circular marring that's seen on so many cars. Mine are few and light. But no marring would be better.
     
    #4 cycledrum, Sep 7, 2009
  5. Green Hokie

    Green Hokie Member

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    Hmm... Besides using the two bucket method with a grit-guard, the only other thing I can suggest is using a foam gun to pre-soak/coat the wash area before scrubbing with your chenille microfiber sponge. It's amazing how slick the paint surface will become with nice layer of foam/soap on it... which of course is critical in preventing micro-marring. I started using a foam gun about 2 years ago and will never go back to washing any of my vehicles without one.

    Good luck & keep that Prius clean!!
     
    #5 Green Hokie, Sep 7, 2009
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  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Don't towel dry it. The more you touch it the more it scratches. Use Mr. Clean Autodry.
     
    #6 richard schumacher, Sep 8, 2009
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  7. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    The Prius doesn't have the thickest, best paint job out there. Especially with dark colors, its best to use one of those touchless car washes that uses a blast of warm air to dry
     
    #7 jayman, Sep 8, 2009
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