Am I ruining my paint?

[jz94]

I've had my car about 18 mos. and only washed it about 3-4 times. I drive it about 3 times a week, and I usually clean it after each outing this way(1) Using a bucket of clean water, I wet a cotton washcloth so that it's dripping wet. I drag it gently over an area, about 8 square feet max.(2) Then it goes back in the bucket for rinsing out and wringing dry. Then I re wipe the area using a little more pressure. I repeat (2) until the surface is almost dry.
When the washcloth looks at all dirty, I get a clean one. (I have a LOT of washcloths) I usually don't have to change the water until the whole car is done.
I keep a good coat of wax on the car. Usually wax after 3 wipe-downs.
My car had fair-to-good paint when I got it. It was not garage kept by the last owner (2 years). I haven't noticed any worsening of the paint since I got it. I clay barred it the first week, when I did my exhaustive cleaning stem to stern.
I'd appreciate criticism/advice. Thanks. Jeff

 

[JJU]

Are you wetting down the car first with a hose? This is important to start the process of loosening-up the dirt.

Are you using some sort of car wash? It doesn't matter what kind but the surface needs some kind of lubrication to remove the dirt or the fine dirt will act like fine sandpaper and scratch your paint.

Start washing from the top and work your way down. This sounds like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised how many people just start at the closest part of the car.

I like the fact that you are using a cotton wash cloth. By washing the cotton cloth each time in a clothes washer you know it is safe (clean) to use the next time. Don't use bleach, dryer sheets, fabric softener on the wash cloth and get WHITE (no dye). Only use liquid detergent. Powder detergents don't desolve and get in to the knap of the cloth and scratch.

The size of your bucket matters (no jokes please) unless you are using the multiple bucket system. Your single bucket system should be at least 5 gallons to let the sediment from your wash cloth settle to the bottom. I use the 3 bucket method (1 wash and 2 rinse). It's important that your wash cloth is mostly clean before rubbing it against the surface. If it gets too dirty, I would start to use a new one. I'm glad to see you are doing this religiously. BTW, I also use a hand cloth (a little bigger than a wash cloth). I gently drag it along the surface appling little pressure.

Only you know when your car is dirty enough to wash it. I'm pretty picky and wash it after every long drive (over 20 miles).

If you are using a carnuba based product, you'll have to wax at least 4 times per year to ensure you have protection on the car. Carnuba melts at 180 degrees. Being in the desert, you can see why you may need to wax more often. Synthetic polishes last longer (4 to 6 times) and desolve at a higher temperature (above 400 degrees). This may be a better option. It's personal preference.

Good luck to you.

 

[jz94]

No, I don't use a hose, cuz I do this inside my garage. I avoid using the hose cuz then I have to use the air compressor to dry all the nooks+crannies+seams,etc. It takes much longer then.
Yes, I do use only white cotton washing and waxing. I also use a tall, narrow bucket without soap and dip from the top to avoid the dirt settled at the bottom. It isn't a large capacity bucket, tho. Come to think of it, I do change the water more than once during this process, I misspoke earlier.
BTW, I've heard people on LS1.com rave about the Zaino shine, but it seemed really involved to use, and expensive. Do you think it would be worth using on a car with less than perfect paint, like mine? Thanks Jeff

 

[JJU]

It's really difficult to judge without me seeing it to recommend Zaino. If you have the "spider -webbing" type scratches in your paint where you don't feel them with your finger, It may take up to 6 coats of Z-5 to remove the "swirls".

Zaino really isn't that expense. Based on how may applications I got out of my bottles, the maximum it will cost you is to do everything THE FIRST time around is $9. But you've already clay barred your car so you won't need that. Because Zaino lasts so long you probably won't be buying polish for at least two years.

As far as "involved" goes. It's all relative. The most work you will be doing is intially and preparing you car's surface. The maintenance after that is very simple and not very time consuming. (1 hour) When you start to see the shine start to get dull, you put on another coat.