Why do they scratch so easy?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 25
From: Alexandria Louisiana
Why do they scratch so easy?
I have noticed that fine scratches show on vettes easier than on other vehicles. Anyone know why?
Please no smart remarks
I have an 04 vehicle and another 08 and neither one shows a scratch as easy as the vette. It's not because its metallic because my 04 is also metallic.
Lisa
Please no smart remarks
I have an 04 vehicle and another 08 and neither one shows a scratch as easy as the vette. It's not because its metallic because my 04 is also metallic.
Lisa
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,022
Likes: 8
From: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
I have noticed that fine scratches show on vettes easier than on other vehicles. Anyone know why?
Please no smart remarks
I have an 04 vehicle and another 08 and neither one shows a scratch as easy as the vette. It's not because its metallic because my 04 is also metallic.
Lisa
Please no smart remarks
I have an 04 vehicle and another 08 and neither one shows a scratch as easy as the vette. It's not because its metallic because my 04 is also metallic.
Lisa
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 736
Likes: 7
From: Chesapeake,VA
I have 3 vehicles, no fine scratches. So I have to ask. Could it be you're running your cars through a car wash or not washing properly?
I have friends whose Vettes have swirls all over the paint. They don't understand why. I found out the hard way a few years ago when I used to send some of my vehicles through "hand wash" car washes. I soon found out, washing with dirty water by hand caused more damage.
There's a whole methodology for washing cars. Some of it will seem extreme but it works. My 2009, 2010 and 2011 vehicles have no scratches. Excerpt below from Autogeek's web site:
How do you prevent swirl marks? Use two buckets. Fill one bucket with soapy water and fill the other with clean water. Each time you’re ready to reload your sponge with soapy water, dip it in the clean water first, to rinse out the grit and contamination you’ve just removed from your vehicle. Then dip it in the soapy water and continue washing.
An even better option is the Grit Guard. This plastic grid sits in the bottom of a 5-gallon wash bucket and stabilizes the water. Contamination and particles settle to the bottom of the bucket and the clean wash water remains at the top.
Always rinse your vehicle thoroughly before you begin washing in order to remove loose debris. Then begin washing at the top of the vehicle. Wash down the vehicle as opposed to front to back. Remember that the lower panels are dirtiest. You want to clean the windows and the upper panels before cleaning the lower half of the vehicle so that you don’t transfer grit to the top half of the vehicle. Rinse and reload your Sponge often to prevent cross-contamination. Rinse your vehicle frequently as you work, especially in hot weather.
I have friends whose Vettes have swirls all over the paint. They don't understand why. I found out the hard way a few years ago when I used to send some of my vehicles through "hand wash" car washes. I soon found out, washing with dirty water by hand caused more damage.
There's a whole methodology for washing cars. Some of it will seem extreme but it works. My 2009, 2010 and 2011 vehicles have no scratches. Excerpt below from Autogeek's web site:
How do you prevent swirl marks? Use two buckets. Fill one bucket with soapy water and fill the other with clean water. Each time you’re ready to reload your sponge with soapy water, dip it in the clean water first, to rinse out the grit and contamination you’ve just removed from your vehicle. Then dip it in the soapy water and continue washing.
An even better option is the Grit Guard. This plastic grid sits in the bottom of a 5-gallon wash bucket and stabilizes the water. Contamination and particles settle to the bottom of the bucket and the clean wash water remains at the top.
Always rinse your vehicle thoroughly before you begin washing in order to remove loose debris. Then begin washing at the top of the vehicle. Wash down the vehicle as opposed to front to back. Remember that the lower panels are dirtiest. You want to clean the windows and the upper panels before cleaning the lower half of the vehicle so that you don’t transfer grit to the top half of the vehicle. Rinse and reload your Sponge often to prevent cross-contamination. Rinse your vehicle frequently as you work, especially in hot weather.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
The Autogeek's recommendations above are spot on but next you need to dry the car. You can produce almost as many scratches drying as washing but it is almost impossible to scratch the paint if you never touch the car. That is why you use a leaf blower rather than a chamois. Just as fast and nothing touches the car. Over 5 years of regular washing and I'm the only one who knows where a couple of scratches can be found on mine.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 21
From: Arlington VA
I'm probably going to invest in the electric leaf blower, simply because my back cant take the extra bending over it requires to dry the car properly. Also have to mention the mirrors, turn signals and taillights seems to drip water FOREVER. With the leaf blower (or Master Blaster) I can force water out of those tight areas.
Question now is what leaf blower to go with. Or should I just invest in the Master Blaster?
Question now is what leaf blower to go with. Or should I just invest in the Master Blaster?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Any leaf blower will do the job. The secret is to have a slick finish that won't hold onto the water. I prefer Rejex but any good sealant or wax will do. I dislike the idea of the Master Blaster to evaporate the water on the car with heat. That's where water spots come from.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 270
Likes: 3
From: Brewster New York
Any leaf blower will do the job. The secret is to have a slick finish that won't hold onto the water. I prefer Rejex but any good sealant or wax will do. I dislike the idea of the Master Blaster to evaporate the water on the car with heat. That's where water spots come from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,599
Likes: 962
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I have 3 vehicles, no fine scratches. So I have to ask. Could it be you're running your cars through a car wash or not washing properly?
I have friends whose Vettes have swirls all over the paint. They don't understand why. I found out the hard way a few years ago when I used to send some of my vehicles through "hand wash" car washes. I soon found out, washing with dirty water by hand caused more damage.
There's a whole methodology for washing cars. Some of it will seem extreme but it works. My 2009, 2010 and 2011 vehicles have no scratches. Excerpt below from Autogeek's web site:
How do you prevent swirl marks? Use two buckets. Fill one bucket with soapy water and fill the other with clean water. Each time you’re ready to reload your sponge with soapy water, dip it in the clean water first, to rinse out the grit and contamination you’ve just removed from your vehicle. Then dip it in the soapy water and continue washing.
An even better option is the Grit Guard. This plastic grid sits in the bottom of a 5-gallon wash bucket and stabilizes the water. Contamination and particles settle to the bottom of the bucket and the clean wash water remains at the top.
Always rinse your vehicle thoroughly before you begin washing in order to remove loose debris. Then begin washing at the top of the vehicle. Wash down the vehicle as opposed to front to back. Remember that the lower panels are dirtiest. You want to clean the windows and the upper panels before cleaning the lower half of the vehicle so that you don’t transfer grit to the top half of the vehicle. Rinse and reload your Sponge often to prevent cross-contamination. Rinse your vehicle frequently as you work, especially in hot weather.
I have friends whose Vettes have swirls all over the paint. They don't understand why. I found out the hard way a few years ago when I used to send some of my vehicles through "hand wash" car washes. I soon found out, washing with dirty water by hand caused more damage.
There's a whole methodology for washing cars. Some of it will seem extreme but it works. My 2009, 2010 and 2011 vehicles have no scratches. Excerpt below from Autogeek's web site:
How do you prevent swirl marks? Use two buckets. Fill one bucket with soapy water and fill the other with clean water. Each time you’re ready to reload your sponge with soapy water, dip it in the clean water first, to rinse out the grit and contamination you’ve just removed from your vehicle. Then dip it in the soapy water and continue washing.
An even better option is the Grit Guard. This plastic grid sits in the bottom of a 5-gallon wash bucket and stabilizes the water. Contamination and particles settle to the bottom of the bucket and the clean wash water remains at the top.
Always rinse your vehicle thoroughly before you begin washing in order to remove loose debris. Then begin washing at the top of the vehicle. Wash down the vehicle as opposed to front to back. Remember that the lower panels are dirtiest. You want to clean the windows and the upper panels before cleaning the lower half of the vehicle so that you don’t transfer grit to the top half of the vehicle. Rinse and reload your Sponge often to prevent cross-contamination. Rinse your vehicle frequently as you work, especially in hot weather.
The only part I would disagree on is the use of a sponge. I suggest that you get a good quality wash pad or mitt, and not one from K-Mart or Walmart, but from a leading auto detail products supplier. I happen to use nothing but Adams and he sell a top quality mitt. I also recommend the grit guard over just a bucket of water.
Most fine scratches are caused by either improper washing improper supplies.
4th Gear
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Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Some say yes. Some say no. I have electric with a 25 foot extension to use near the garage so I wouldn't know. A 100 foot extension cord isn't that expensive so...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,098
Likes: 1,597
I'm probably going to invest in the electric leaf blower, simply because my back cant take the extra bending over it requires to dry the car properly. Also have to mention the mirrors, turn signals and taillights seems to drip water FOREVER. With the leaf blower (or Master Blaster) I can force water out of those tight areas.
Question now is what leaf blower to go with. Or should I just invest in the Master Blaster?
Question now is what leaf blower to go with. Or should I just invest in the Master Blaster?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
I have used both and can tell you there is no comparison between the two. No clunky leaf blower to lug around your car, just a nice long flexible hose that lets you get into the door jambs, wheel wells, mirrors, tail lights and so on. It is one of those items I consider a little overpriced but.........it does the job better than no other item can. JMHO
I've had my Master Blaster for a year and a half and love it. Before buying it I used an electric leaf blower and while it worked OK, it was nowhere near as fast as the Master Blaster. The Master Blaster is like a jet engine with a hose. It warms the air that it puts out but not to the point where it causes spotting.The only other thing I can add to this discussion is that I've had great success washing with microfiber towels. They're all I've used in my 7+ years of Corvette ownership and the car is still free of swirls and spiderwebs.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
It's a matter of personal perception regarding scratches. A garage queen owner is very critical of any imperfection, while a road warrior is proud of the battle scars.
The average person-on-the-street can't tell the difference and doesn't care either. To them, if it's clean, it looks great.
The average person-on-the-street can't tell the difference and doesn't care either. To them, if it's clean, it looks great.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I've had my Master Blaster for a year and a half and love it. Before buying it I used an electric leaf blower and while it worked OK, it was nowhere near as fast as the Master Blaster. The Master Blaster is like a jet engine with a hose. It warms the air that it puts out but not to the point where it causes spotting.The only other thing I can add to this discussion is that I've had great success washing with microfiber towels. They're all I've used in my 7+ years of Corvette ownership and the car is still free of swirls and spiderwebs.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 21
From: Arlington VA
I have used both and can tell you there is no comparison between the two. No clunky leaf blower to lug around your car, just a nice long flexible hose that lets you get into the door jambs, wheel wells, mirrors, tail lights and so on. It is one of those items I consider a little overpriced but.........it does the job better than no other item can. JMHO
I've had my Master Blaster for a year and a half and love it. Before buying it I used an electric leaf blower and while it worked OK, it was nowhere near as fast as the Master Blaster. The Master Blaster is like a jet engine with a hose. It warms the air that it puts out but not to the point where it causes spotting.The only other thing I can add to this discussion is that I've had great success washing with microfiber towels. They're all I've used in my 7+ years of Corvette ownership and the car is still free of swirls and spiderwebs.
I just wanted to hear some opinion on people who have used BOTH. And can tell me if the Master Blaster is really worth the extra bucks. I've seen both of you guys previous posts and trust your experience & advice. Even better my birthday is 3 weeks away.. and girlfriend has been asking me over and over what I'd like as a gift!
Last edited by Daekwan06; Oct 28, 2012 at 03:42 PM.