Watermarks...after waxing when it rains?

[53 Leon SX]

Ok, so I go through the whole process of cleaning the car, giving it a hose down (no pressure washer , washing with shampoo and mit, doing the wheels with a brush, then going over all again with the left over soapy water, all the while hosing the car down to prevent the soak from drying and streaking. Then microfibre towelling it down as quickly as possible to avoid the water marks (some are inevitable on a black car in direct sunlight) occasionally there is a polishing stage. Then I put on my wax and buff it off.

All is great (until the next day when a thin layer of dust has settled over night lol) until it rains! This is where I am stumped, the wax is definitely doing its job as the water is beading however, when the water evaporates it still leaves marks

I've tried different waxes, I've tried different amounts of layers, I've tried putting it on thinly I've tried slapping it on (absolute PITA to buff off) and yet still the moment water touches the car its leaves marks what am I doing wrong?

 

[dholdi]

Probably nothing. Both tap and rain water contain contaminants that when the water evaporates away will be left on the paint. Pita I know as I also have a black car, looks mint when its done tho.

 

[Edward101]

You can always try a sealant as they do repel dirt slightly better than a carnuaba wax. But after you have washed the car and dried it go over it with a microfibre and a qd, FK425 is very very good! This will remove the water marks and helps keep your wax/sealant layer fresh. Works on well on glass and metal too.

 

[53 Leon SX]

Probably nothing. Both tap and rain water contain contaminants that when the water evaporates away will be left on the paint. Pita I know as I also have a black car, looks mint when its done tho.

It does look mint doesn't it! Especially next to clean alloys, polished/cleaned glass and jet black tyres/trim just wish it lasted longer!

You can always try a sealant as they do repel dirt slightly better than a carnuaba wax. But after you have washed the car and dried it go over it with a microfibre and a qd, FK425 is very very good! This will remove the water marks and helps keep your wax/sealant layer fresh. Works on well on glass and metal too.

You know what I was going to ask what is FK425 and what was so good about FK425 but I've just had a look at some reviews on other forums and either the manufacturers have paid alot of people to post very, very positively or its a great product! Are there any alternatives to it? Where is the cheapest to but it from? I'm guessing ebay

 

[jonjay]

FK425 has antistatic properties to keeps dust at bay a little longer. Unfortunately there is not much you can do about the problem apart from a car cover or garage.

 

[53 Leon SX]

A car cover would be a bit of an inconvenience me thinks as its the daily drive and sadly no garage at my household! I may use this FK425 as I'm a bit tired of feeling like I need to wash the car every week. Not that I can be asked to do that lol!

 

[D-Power]

I have exactly the same problem, water beads on the roof,bonnet and bootlid and then evaporates leaving dusty bubble marks. Been really bad with the dry spell we've had recently.

Seems like what it really needs is a wax that sheets water or maybe to try and park the car so that the panels have bit of a fall to help the water run off.

So annoying the car looking crap after all the hard work with washing and waxing!! Going to try collonite as that is reported to last ages.

 

[n_d_fox]

The marks are dust, dirt, grit in the rain that you cant prevent even with a sealant - I use Zaino on my car now and its all synthetic sealant products with anti static properties and i still get it. Its worse at the moment as we are apparently getting sand or dust in the rain from the Sehara or somewhere crazy like that.