Silver paint tide marks?

[k4ith]

When i am finished washing the car i get what i can only describe as a tide mark in the paint, now i use Mystique car wash/shampoo sometimes autoglym, i always rinse 1st then wash, rinsing every 1/4 of the cars washed, I always towel dry with megs water magnet, i also had it on the golf so i think its something iam doing wrong(prev car was silver too)
Also does anyone know if Megs wheel brightner will be ok to use on the FR alloys, the grey ones(18") that are an option as i got some but dont know if it will remove the powder coating/paint ?

Cheers.

 

[spyke85]

Tide mark? Can you expand further on this? I read this as rippling.

 

[Reg]

Megs WB is not going to lift paint or powdercoat - its a product made specifically for the job of cleaning wheels. I would however wax the wheels to help prevent brake dust etc sticking to them so much in the first place, then just use regular soapy water that you use on the rest of the car to clean them (last of course). If you are that worried about the WB, dilute it down with water to 10:1 and see how on then.

I'm afraid I have no idea what you are talking about with a tide mark. Are you trying to say there are mottled/blotchy watermarks in the paint after you've washed it, sort of like this:

 

[k4ith]

Megs WB is not going to lift paint or powdercoat - its a product made specifically for the job of cleaning wheels. I would however wax the wheels to help prevent brake dust etc sticking to them so much in the first place, then just use regular soapy water that you use on the rest of the car to clean them (last of course). If you are that worried about the WB, dilute it down with water to 10:1 and see how on then.

I'm afraid I have no idea what you are talking about with a tide mark. Are you trying to say there are mottled/blotchy watermarks in the paint after you've washed it, sort of like this:

thats almost like it, but not quite as bad, and not all over, unfortunately i cant get a pic as its been raining for bloomin weeks here.

 

[Reg]

In that case, its probably water marks (especially if its on the flat surfaces water sits on, bonnet, roof, tops of doors). It won't wash or clay off, it needs to be polished off - ideally by machine but you might get rid of it polishing by hand. Hard work though!

 

[Rob66]

Hiya K4ith,

Not sure if this is what you mean but this sort of 'mottled' effect is very common on Silver cars, and especially noticable in direct sunlight. I was speaking to a friend who works in a bodyshop and apparantly it is nearly impossible to avoid with Silver paint If this is the case then no amount of polishing will remedy the situation i'm sorry to say.

Hope i am wrong,

Rob

 

[Reg]

No doubting you at all Rob, but I don't think thats correct myself. The defect is generally in the surface of the clearcoat - careful polishing with the correct machine and product will remove the top few microns, and hopefully the defect with it, leaving a smooth uniform surface to wax and protect. If its really bad then it can etch down a long way into the clearcoat and thats bad news - but that Mk2 Leon isn't old enough for a start!

 

[CleanYourCar]

I'd actually say Megs Wheel Brightner can be dangerous if not mixed correctly. It's very potant stuff and on chrome will leave some etching. Cut it correctly though and it is ideal for used on coated rims and gives amnazing value for money.

With the 'tide marks' have you tried hand polishing the car with a dedicated paint cleaner to see if this will remove the marks.

I would try something like Klasse All In One/ Carlack Systematic Care or P21s paint cleaner using a microfibre applicator pad to see if this shifts the stains. These type of products use chemical rather than abrasive cleaners to remove and dead/oxidised paints and surface contamination. I always recommend every so often before waxing to use a dedicated pre wax cleanser to keep on top of any contamination and safely restore gloss. Pre wax cleanser either don't or contain very small amounts of very light abrasives so are safe to use as ofetn as required without removing any clearcoat.

It's definately worth a go and at the very least will only make your paint glossier.

Cheers Tim

 

[k4ith]

cheers for the info folks, but the weathers now gone from peeing rain to ice/frost so not had much chance to clean the car lately, stocking up with stuff in the meantime, is it a good idea to wax in these low temp days ? was tracking a p/c on ebay brand new went for £110 with some pads and sonus gear, thats what i'd like.

 

[Reg]

You can wax in these temps, although its not ideal for curing, and bloody uncomfortable to boot!

Remember that on top of the PC you will need a decent transformer too (because its 110v), so add another £40-£50 for that. The expense can run away a little when you get into tools, because you will forever want to be trying different pads and products!