First only use a detail spray or waterless wash if your car is dusty..not dirty. That being said, detail sprays along with a few microfiber towels will take the dust and bugs off your car without damaging the paint....I cant speak for all the waterless wash sprays out there but I know Adams waterless wash has extra lubricants in it and they ask you to use a waffle patterend cloth to remove light dirt and dust. I have used it and like it. I try not to put too much of these products on as they do tend to build up and smear as you wipe... Nothing better than a good wash with proper carwash liquid and drying. Everyone has their own techniques....find what you like and stay with it...do not worry what everyone else has to say..if it works for you then its good. Enjoy your ride...

 

Frustrated or not you are right. This is like owning horses. Everyone that has ever laid eyes on them is the expert on feeding and training yet none of them can agree on anything.

 

Hot or dirty.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Listen to this person...he is smart.

 

As others have said, I use a duster then a detailing spray with micro fiber rag then micro fiber towel. Works great for me between coats of Rejex.

 

Lucas Slick Mist almost daily here. Works great on light dust and I use my CA Duster once in a while. Hand wash once a week at a big wash chain here in Phoenix.

 

my car has been washed maybe 7 times since I took delivery...in Sept of 08. It has 12k miles on it now. I use a cali duster, lightly dabbing or sliding in sections. then a fine zaino micro fiber towel with zaino z6 quick detailer. Don't do it on hot surface though. Like stated above.

 

I blow mine off first with 175 psi compressor to knock the big dust off then duster and detailer.

 

Obviously many here think it's o.k.. I don't.

Ever get dirt between your teeth? That grinding feeling is exactly what is happening to your paint. For those with light colored paint - you can get away with just about anything. The darker the color - the less forgiving. Lot's of people here post pics of their shiny cars and claim they wipe their cars down when dry. But spyder web / swirl marks do not show up in photos unless they are very severe. I would love to see these cars (the dark ones) in direct sunlight at high noon.

BTW, I do know how to take swirl marks out with a random orbital polisher and polish such as Menzerna. I also know it's much better to prevent the swirl marks in the first place.

There are two instances where I think wiping a spot with detail spray is the preferred option and that is if you get a bug or bird **** on the paint. It's best to get that stuff off immediately. Other than that, if my car gets dirt or dust or smudges or fingerprints on it - I live with it until the next time I wash it with water and suds.

However, I want to point out that if someone wants to use a CA duster or detail spray on their car after a drive (or at a car show), it's THEIR business. It's THEIR car.

The only reason I am speaking up here is to share with those who don't know better and are asking good questions.

 

Wow. With that famous wolfdogs shine I would have thought you washed your Vette ALOT more often. You may convert me to Zaino yet...

 

Without question the best and most informative post on this entire thread.

 

I go along with wolfdog on this.....I have 28,000 miles on my Black Z and rarely has it been washed with water......I do use a dustbuster on my other cars...but quit using it on my Z after my last detailer....Wills in Gilbert Arizona....advised to instead spray some detailer on a very good microfiber cloth and gently wipe off the dust....(not if dirty or grimey).....works for me.....and swirls are at a minium, yes all these cars look good in pictures and there is nothing like seeing it in person, but that is why paint correction is way different than a wash job....ps...I have only had it professionally detailed once....I do it myself the rest of the time,.... so to add, that if one knows the proper way to clean and wash....it is all good.....however, let's face it, many do not know how to minimize swirling or how to properly wsh their car .

 

The detail spray will make your car look pretty, but does not offer long-term protection. My neighbor once told me that, after trying his first spray wax, he was never going to hand wax again. "That spray wax is easier and looks better too." I tried explaining to him in a nice way that it wouldn't do his paint any good. The problem I have found is that certain brands will make your car's surface a dust magnet. I use Mother's spray detailer usually, and have never had a problem with it. California dusting followed by spray wax is certainly easier than washing every time you find a light dusting of stuff. Especially pollen, that stuff gets everywhere!

 

Exactly what I do!!

 

Washing a "not dirty" car is a waist of time, water and is a defect inducing practice, IMSO. My car is 5.5 years old and has been "washed" (and waxed) four times. Since I only drive it in "perfect" weather it doesn't get dirty just dusty and maybe some light salt spray. I do use QD but have used the two bucket method wipe down with regular, non plush cotton bath towels with great results. The key is to do a section at a time applying minimal pressure to wipe and dry in ONE direction or back and fourth, not in circles. My finish looks like the day I watched it roll off the line in BG. Some guys like to "wash and dry" a "clean" car for fun....to each is own..whatever floats you boat!

 

I'm comfortable using the California duster when I have a slick covering over the paint by using the Klasse twins.

Car is so much easier to keep this way.

 

I too wash my Vettes as little as possible. If I get caught in the rain then a wash is unavoidable.

My normal routine is to dust the car and then wipe it down with either Zaino Z6 or Adams Waterless Car Wash.
I don't use a Cali Duster, I prefer to use Swiffer disposable dusters.
I start from the top and work my way down to the rocker panels then finish off by dusting off the wheels and wheel wells. When I'm done I just chuck the duster in the trash.

 

Yes, but less than a 'duster' because the sprays have lubricant in it.

Vettes have very hard clear coat, so you may not get swirls but instead a hazing type appearance after a while.

Ive been wiping down my Vette for 2+ years after every drive with detail spray and about every 6 months it needs a 'finishing polish' run over it with my Griots buffer in order to maintain factory new appearance.

 

UWWP+ is a great product. It leaves a very nice gloss and is very easy to use.

I am moving away from the traditional quick detail sprays (FK425 was my favorite) to using UWWP when the car is not very dirty then topping it off with Optimum Spray Car Wax instead of FK425.