Whenever I dry my car, it always looks like crap in direct sunlight. You can see all the swipes from my Chamois. Do any of you NBP owners struggle with this, or am I using piss poor technique? Would the california wiper blade solve this problem?

2004 TL
NBP/ebony

 

your chamois must be giving you the swirl marks. you have to switch to micrfiber. its so much safer for finishes than any chamois or even 100% terry cloth towel. it will not scratch the car at all. i use to use the california water blade but have heard too many bad experiences from people getting debri getting trapped in the blade and scratching the car. here is my drying techneque:

1) remove the nozzle from the hose.
2) rinse the car from top down with a good stream of water.
3) use a microfiber towel and soak the water up.(i do not usually wipe the towel back and forth) the hose technique should only leave about 25% of the water on the car.

when you look for a drying towel get the waffle weave microfiber towel. its a pretty decent size towel and if you follow the same procedure i do then its all you need.

 

ManicTL, I use CA Waterblade and 100% cotton towel at the same time. After every wipe with a blade I wipe the blade with the cotton towel and do all the car. Then I use towel on remaining water beeds to blot and not wipe. Get a beach size 100% cotton towel either Fieldcrest or Cannon brand. Works like a charm.

 

Black is a drag. Been there several times, don't think I'll ever go back.

 

Use a quick detailer (I use Meg's Final Inspection) after drying, it removes the streaks & gives your car a nice shine.

 

Dude, try Zaino if you want this resolved.

After polishing with Zaino, keeping it gorgeous is easy. You wash the car with Zaino's car wash, and you dry the car with a cotton towel. Then, you quickly mist areas of the car with Zaino Z-6 gloss enhancing spray and buff off with another clean cotton towel. The streak- and spot-free gloss of the car is unbelievable. This misting and toweling step takes another 10 minutes.

My TL is silver, but I use it on my wife's '03 Pilot in dark green. Her truck looks like the paint is dripping wet after I wash and spray with Z-6.

See the Zaino 101 thread:
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74255

Now -- OK Meguirs fans, start flaming away!!! I know you're wringing your hands to get started on me!!!
:tflamer:
:tflamer:
:tflamer:

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

 

If you have any questions about detailing - where to buy stuff - how to use it, etc...

go here ----> http://www.autopia.org

Good people - they know thier stuff - just ask and they shall help!

 

I get best results with an old bath towel. Don't laugh - it's high quality cotton and has been washed a thousand times. Its only fault is that its color fell out of favor with my wife. It gets to spend its retirement drying my NBP TL - not a bad gig.

I use NXT. Following up a wash with the spray wax and a microfiber cloth is a sure route to a perfect finish. Not going to flame Zaino. There are many good products out there. Go with what works for you. The real secret is that the effort and attention is more important than the product.

 

Old bath towels are indeed your car-drying friend
I've heard though, make sure you wash them only in liquid detergent - the granules from powdered stuff supposedly can not dissolve and stay in the fibers of your towel causing scratching. Not sure if I believe that, but I use liquid detergent only anyhoo.

Microfiber is also a very good alternative - SUPER absorbant, very soft.

Like Aegir said - use what works for you - not what others are hyping. And the most important thing in getting that NBP shining is prep work. The best wax will look like crap if the surface is not properly prepped!!

 

do not use fabric softner on the drying towels either. they will make the towels scratch the car as well. pretty ironic huh fabric "softner"

 

I have anthracite now, but I had 2 previous NBP TL's, and I used a powerfull leaf blower after washing my car to blow most of the water off the paint. It's great for getting water out of the door locks, mirrors, and other areas where it's hard to dry. I swear by using this blower, it works! Afterwards, I usually use 100%cotton towels, with all stitching removed, including those horrible labels that are made of something that will definately scratch the paint. My NBP car's drove me crazy trying to keep looking good, so NEVER AGAIN!! Black looks awesome, but it's just too much trouble keeping clean and swirl free for me.