Ernest_T

There wasn't anything visible until I washed and dried the car with a chamois--after you wipe the chamois across the passenger door, there is a momentary outline of a splash mark that starts on the rocker and goes up the door almost to the window. It's a dark spot that covers about a third of the door. The mark goes away within a couple seconds as the surface dries, but you can definitely see there is something there that causes the moisture on the paint to react differently to the chamois. Once its dry the door looks normal with no sign of the mark.

It looks like there isn't any wax where the mark is, but I have no idea what could remove the wax like that without damaging the paint. I don't remember even running over any water on the road since I last washed the car and I know it wasn't there then.

I'm thinking that short of a chemical analysis of the door all I can do is guess that another coat of wax will eliminate the problem. Is there anything I should be worried about?

Pisswilly

Pics?

rcooper

I would use something like Meguier's Clear Coat Safe Polishing Compound and then seal and polish. Sound like some Dawn got on the car, it is great for cleaning off old wax, I wash the car with Dawn to get it clean before I am going to polish the car.
I don't have any idea of what you may have gotten on the car but I would treat the affected spot asap.

crawfish333

There is probably nothing to worry about. Could there be something soaked into the chamois, like a degreaser or (like the other guy said) Dawn?

I do not use a chamois any more on my car any more. To me, a CLEAN high quality microfiber towel is much better. They can also be washed. (Better without soap or at least double rinsed) Some wax and sealant companies even recommend 100% white cotton towels.

Either one will work nicely, but they must be clean and free of chemicals. What would worry me about a Chamois, can you clean it well enough to completely get rid of all of the chemicals and embedded grit?

DWG

I would wash the door with Dawn and then use a clay bar/nanoskin. Hopefully that will remove this residue.

David

mjw930

And ditch the chamois. If you must towel dry get a high quality waffle weave microfiber and wash it after every use.

sanantguy

Wash it.
Clay bar it.
Wax it.

Drive it.

Scoobydoobydoo

I agree with others here. Wash it with Dawn, clay it with a clay sponge or mitt then wax and polish. And as stated, lose the chamois and buy some good microfiber towels.

Ernest_T

You won't be able to see anything in a picture. It's not visible when it's dry or wet. You can only see it a couple seconds when you wipe it with a chamois and I don't think it'd show up in a pic anyway.

Ernest_T

Thanks for the replies, I'll strip it and re-wax it.

Ernest_T

I use a wringer to remove the water from a chamois, do you do that with a microfiber towel or use a bunch of them to dry?

crawfish333

As far as just dryng the car, I use a waffle type of microfiber towel. I use the large ones and it normally only takes 2 at most. I usually use a blower to get most of the water off (especially during the hot summer) to prevent water spots than towel off the rest of the water. I use the really soft microfiber buffing cloths to polish after applying wax. I also use a good quality of wax (I use Pinnacle, but there are others that are good). The 100% carnauba wax requires a very light coat so there is very little residue to wipe off. There is a volumes of this type information in the car care forum. The vendors like Adams and Auto Geek have some very useful videos that are helpful no matter what type of product you use.

Woodson

One large one will do the whole car; you don't even have to wring it out. I also use a small one to follow up any remaining wetness.

dvilin

CaryBob

Buy two large ones. Only takes one to dry the car. Toss it in the laundry basket and you still have the second towel in case you feel the need to go wash it again.

///ADMAN

Don't wipe it with a chamois then.

Ernest_T

I ordered a 3 pack of 20X40" waffle weave microfiber towels for drying. I had a late meeting last night and didn't get a chance to clean the door, but I'll look at it tonight.

sanantguy

I dry using a single microfiber towel. wet it first (they don't absorb anything dry). And wring it out with your hands as you go.

Easy

1SG_Ret

I started using a blower to knock most of the water off the car after a wash. Can then touch up any residual water with a couple of small microfiber towels.

To your issue, how long have you had your car? have you waxed it before or is this the first wash since owning?

This could be something that was done at Chevy when they detailed the car for delivery. Who knows what could have happened with guys carrying buckets of wash or containers of conditioners. They drop one and it splashes on your car.

As mentioned, clean the entire door of any existing product and re-wax. Re-wet and wipe to see if that splash shadow shows up. Hopefully it won't.

Glen e

if it appears after the shammy, but disappears after you wipe it, it's probably a silicone based stain, so alcohol wipe the whole door and re "wax"