[Dereleek]

So I have had my 2010 E92 for almost 3 weeks now and it doesn't have one scratch or door ding--probably because I park miles away from every other car. However, today I gave it a good cleaning inside and out and noticed I already have some swirls on the hood and down on the bottom panel of the driver side door. How? I use 2 different mash mitts (one for top half of car and one for bottom half) that are completely rinsed and re-soaped about 12 times during the wash and I keep them in different buckets!! I am extremely careful in how I wash it...yet I still somehow have these swirls. Right after I finished drying it and was admiring how clean it looked....I was like "Is that some kind of spiderweb on my hood." Nope.

Another question. I wanted to apply sealant to the car after its wash/dry, but decided not to because there was lint from my new microfiber towel on parts of the car...How spotless does the car need to be before sealant should be applied?

Thanks.

[jopa489]

Swirls and RIDs are inevitable eventually, regardless of how meticulous you are when washing the car. That's why polishing exists. However, there's a very good chance the swirls you're seeing were induced by the dealer. Dealer prep is by-and-large awful. We see it all the time around E90Post - cars ruined by the hack dealer "detailer" buffer and loads of filling glaze.

Glaze is commonly used by dealers to mask/hide swirls, but it wears off after a few washes or rainstorms. If your car is 3 weeks old, the glaze is probably wearing off and you're seeing the swirls. Again, your washing process sounds spot on so it's unlikely you caused it. Time to invest in a PCXP or Flex and learn the products and techniques!

And a few tiny pieces of lint won't bother anything.

[Zero.7]

Originally Posted by jopa489

Swirls and RIDs are inevitable eventually, regardless of how meticulous you are when washing the car. That's why polishing exists. However, there's a very good chance the swirls you're seeing were induced by the dealer. Dealer prep is by-and-large awful. We see it all the time around E90Post - cars ruined by the hack dealer "detailer" buffer and loads of filling glaze.

Glaze is commonly used by dealers to mask/hide swirls, but it wears off after a few washes or rainstorms. If your car is 3 weeks old, the glaze is probably wearing off and you're seeing the swirls. Again, your washing process sounds spot on so it's unlikely you caused it. Time to invest in a PCXP or Flex and learn the products and techniques!

And a few tiny pieces of lint won't bother anything.

So true. Go look at brand new cars sitting outside the dealerships on a bright and sunny day. I guarantee you that you'll see swirl marks on certain panels of the car. Furthermore, while you are washing your car outside, you could easily have some tiny dust particles on your car while washing/drying. These may also contribute to tiny swirl marks, despite you being ever so careful.

I consider myself very careful too. I am sure most fanatics would say the same about themselves. Yet, we all get swirl marks eventually. And, as stated by Jopa, that's why polishing and Porter cables exist.

As for me, after seeing swirls for the first time, the other ones that follow are easier to swallow But in the end, I know that they can be removed

[ToadHollow]

Blot the paint when drying. Best for dark colors .... not really needed as much for tthe lighter colors as they will not show the paint imperfections as easily.

Glaze is best used on a freshly "cleaned" paint surface ....... as in a polished paint surface free of past wax/sealant residue.

If you were to use a paint cleaner (AIO) then apply the glaze and then the sealant or wax ...... your results would be better. Most AIO products are able to be used with OR without a machine. Obviously, the best results are achieved by machine.

Menzerna Sealing Wax is a favorite AIO of mine.
http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-sea...ax-apo-60.html

Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze
http://www.detailedimage.com/Menzern...-P77/32-oz-S2/

Klasse AIO followed by the Klasse GLAZE is also a great product.
http://www.detailedimage.com/Klasse-...P54/500-ml-S1/

Klasse Glaze
http://www.detailedimage.com/Klasse-...P55/500-ml-S1/