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halicat	a lot of black cars i see have those circular scratches on them from cleaning and polishing... whats the best way to keep my perfect paint... perfect ?
Mike Krehel	Jim, welcome to the POA and congrats on your new Prowler. I'm sure you'll hear a lot of varied opinions on the best polish/wax to minimize swirls. I personlly use the Zaino treatment and have been quite satisfied. ------------------ Mike Krehel ProwlerOnline.com
CatDude	try here: http://www.zainobros.com/
idive	Towels used on the car are an important factor. Some swear by microfiber towels, others use 100% cotton towels (made in USA). I mention the latter notation because many 100% towels made outside the USA are not really 100% cotton, tho it may say it is on the tag. They contain poly fibers that can harm your paint. Cannon or Fieldcrest are 2 good brands of cotton towels. Yes, the microfiber towels contain poly fibers too, but they don't seen to hurt the paint. I use both types, cotton, and microfiber, depending on application. Some microfiber towels are better than others also. The first set I got I've had no problems with. The 2nd set, bought elsewhere, are lint leavers (BIGTIME). I haven't used them much yet but they seem to be leaving less lint on the car after washing them. Maybe that will wear off with more washings? Microfiber towels are very "sticky" towels, and will pick up any tiny thing around, so watch where you set them and don't drop them on the ground when using. A good sheepskin wash mit is good for washing. Use a sponge for applying wax, and a soft cotton terrycloth covered applicator for polishing. I won't get into the Zaino vs Meguiares vs Other brands for polishing and waxing debate. I'll leave that for others. Find something you like and go with it. Personally, I am happy with Meguiares Deep Crystal polish and Meguiars Gold Class wax. Then there's the 303 products... 303 Fabric Guard for the top, and 303 Aerospace Protectant for underhood cleaning, seats, dash, hoses, tires, rubber seals (top seals included) and some even use it on paint (not me). You'll pick up on several things as you go along. Too many to list all here now. This should get you started, and a search of the site should give you alot of info on most of your other questions. This should get you started. Always start with a good clean car. Your detailer's work should have you on the road for this. I'm sure they stripped off all old gunk for you when they did their thing. (I doubt they used any fabric guard on your top tho.) As for doing it yourself later, I think dawn liquid soap is supposed to be a good mild soap for getting the dirt, old wax, etc. off the car. Others can correct me on this if I'm wrong. It's just not to be used all the time. I use just a bucket of water. Have only used soap once. When wiping on the car, wipe the hood and decklid front to back, and the sides wipe up and down. For those in-between times, a California Duster is a good thing to have, along with a car cover. I hope this helps.
bbcar	idive has covered this very well, I will add that if your car has NO swirls at this time, use a NON abrasive wax like Mothers NON abrasive paste wax as it will not ADD any swirls or scratches to your finish. Any time you use a cleaner wax it WILL leave some minute scratchs as the cleaner part is trying to remove larger swirls and scratchs. Also as idive said and I agree 100% cotton towels, and the brands idive suggested are correct and are the best to use. Use a foam applicator to apply the wax and the cotton towels to remove it. If you do wash your car I suggest using any major brand of car wash soap as I beleive that the soap helps lift off the dirt without adding any scratches as it lubercates the surface, and dish washing soap will remove most waxes except those like Zaino. Trial and error and you will pick what you like best as everyone has their favorite wax to use. Personaly i do not like products like Zaino as they actually coat the paint (sort of like mop & glow) and they are very hard to remove if you decide to try somthing else. I have been doing ISCA car shows since the late 60's and just about everyone there uses some sort of carnuba based wax. I have been using a wax called Treatment wax (out of Chicago) and have yet to find a better wax, but again everyone has their favorite. Barry
halicat	the only thing more awsome than the car.... are the people that drive them...you guys are the greatest thanks !! i hope i can show u'all some maritime hospitality some day if anyone gets this far north...and east. i got up this morning and had to check the driveway to see if this has been a dream....its 4 real and i'm goin cruisin ! jim
CatDude	I've actually been to Halifax before on company business. I love the "downtown" area with all the "Hamster-like" tunnels that carry you from block to block. Great people there too... super friendly. When I went to Halifax years ago, that was the first time I had steamed mussels. Since then, I enjoy mussels whenever I get the chance. If I ever make it up there again, I'll let you know. later, Damon. This message has been edited by CatDude on 09-05-2004 at 07:48 AM
Tytanium-K	quote: Originally posted by CatDude: ...that was the first time I had steamed muscles... Some girl told me you had 'steamed muscles' but I didn't believe her! ------------------ Tytanium-K, Man of Metal -- '99 RED, Mostly Stock!
CatDude	take it easy on me... I just woke up... lol..
Tytanium-K	Figured y'd git a kick outta that, Damon! R U awake yet? ------------------ Tytanium-K, Man of Metal -- '99 RED, Mostly Stock!
GRROWL	Well, you have your answer on how to keep your car swirl-free (microfiber towels, Zaino, etc.), BUT when you get the microscratches that will inevitably occur . . . . time for another Board. Take a look at www.autopia.org and read up on the PC DA (Porter Cable Dual-Action Random-Orbital polisher). This is the only safe way to remove microswirls once they're in there. -GRROWL P.S. - I use Zaino for the paint and can confirm the wisdom of the Internet that their swirl-remover (Z-6) really doesn't do much. -GRROWL
halicat	i go to the "mussel ranch" yes, thats the real name...its a mussel farm.. i get 10 lbs for $10.... steamed with wine... dipped in garlic butter... now i'm really hungry !