Do all automatic car washes pose a danger to the paint?

H

highspeeddata

New member
I have some light scratches in a new car (mostly the kind you can't feel with your fingernail but deeper than your typical swirl mark - a couple I can feel with my fingenail.)



I'm thinking Finese-It II would be the best product. It is supposed to only be used by machine. I just ordered the Port Cable Random Orbit Detailer.



Will the PC take the scratches out using Finese-It II? Is the white foam pad that comes with the PC a "closed cell" pad that will work well with fine cut polishing compounds like Finises-it II and Perfecti-it II? What is the recommended speed to use?



Help!
 
First thing I would do is dump the pad that comes with the machine and get the CMA kit or at least get the velcro plate. Then you can use either CMA pads or Meguires pads and they can be removed easily with the velcro. If using CMA pads I would try using the white pad first and then if that doesn't help, goto the yellow pad. Usually a good spped to start is 4 or 5..



Im sure there are others here who will respond that know tons more than I do..this is what Ive learned from everyone here so far..



Good Luck!!:D
 
if you're gonna dump the white PC pad, dump it my way. I kinda like them for all-purpose polishing.

If you haven't done so I recommend doing a search on this topic. There have been some excellent posts by folks like Carguy (Greg) who have given detailed explanations on how to use a PC and certain products. From there you'll have a good base of info to start your own experiments.

I used a buffer for the first time 23 years ago and I can tell you that using them is much more art than science. I really feel the PC is the perfect blend of a quality polisher and fool-proof performance. The next level up in performance comes with a substantial increase of risk (kinda like car racing:D )

Use your PC; buy a bunch of different pads and products; follow the advice and suggestions here; don't worry about the car; have fun; wear one of those black berets and talk in a French accent so everyone thinks you are an <em class='bbc'>artiste[/i]
 
What kind of polishing do you like the white pad for?? I only tried it for product application and it didnt work well at all for me..Of course I could have been doing something wrong!!:p



Maybe I should reconsider..
 
I happen to like the white polishing pad by Porter Cable. (Assuming we are all talking about the same pad.?) Yes, Finesse It is recommended for use with a machine but it will work by hand as well. Just takes longer. Use plenty of FI solution on the pad. Keep it well lubricated. I suggest starting out on the lowest speed and getting a feel for how much you are accomplishing on each application. Then work your way up in speed to 4 or so. A scratch that can be felt is tough. It may be too deep to be gotten out with just FI. And be sure you don't polish too much and risk going through the clear (or paint).
 
Can even the touchless or newer technologically advanced car wash automated systems cause damage or swirls to the car? Just wanted to know more about how they cause the damage because a lot of people still use them.
 
It's very unlikely you will get swirls from a "touchless" wash, but it's also VERY likely that you won't get a clean car either. ;)


I can't imagine those strong chemicals being good for the car and some of the external materials over the long run....but then again, I'll never own a car long enough to worry about it either.

I have seen some of the older ones stain/fade the paint of some black side mirrors, and door trim before...not sure if today's chemicals are better or not.
 
RaskyR1 said:
It's very unlikely you will get swirls from a "touchless" wash, but it's also VERY likely that you won't get a clean car either. ;)
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That has been my experience. Road film does not get removed without agitation (of the road film). There are "touchless" washes here in town that towel dry the vehicle as it rolls out :scared:. I don't care what kind of towel they use, I'm not gonna subject my paint to it.

Jack
 
EclecTech said:
That has been my experience. Road film does not get removed without agitation (of the road film). There are "touchless" washes here in town that towel dry the vehicle as it rolls out :scared:. I don't care what kind of towel they use, I'm not gonna subject my paint to it.

Jack
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I agree............:Car smiley:
 
I have used the Touchless Wash occasionally in the winter to remove the built up road salt. It is the lesser of two evils in my opinion. While I would not use them on a continuous basis, it seems to have caused no damage to my vehicle.
 
FYI - Not all tunnel sytles car washes recycle their water. Recycled water touching your paint (even at high pressure) won't harm your car. What damages your car is friction. There are nothing touching touchless car washes that will 100% clean your car. I managed one for nearly a decade.
 
What concerns me about ANY high pressure wash is THE PRESSURE. Meaning, how much crap is being washed back into little hiddy holes. Plugging up door drains and the likes. Add that to the possibility of blowing trim pieces off the body (don't ask).

Now, with that said...during the winter when it's 20 below and the wifes black car is whiter than purity from salt and other smultz...sometimes ya just gotta bite the bullet.

Bill
 
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