There’s no doubt that swirl marks on a vehicle can break any car owner’s heart. The irony is that in most cases, car owners themselves are the culprits! That’s right, improper car wash techniques are the primary reason for scratches and swirls on a car. Unfortunately, there are no methods to stop swirl marks from occurring entirely. However, with a bit of know-how, you can prevent them to an extent. In this post, we have compiled a list of expert car wash techniques you can employ to prevent swirl marks while washing and drying your car. Read on to know more.
What Are Swirl Marks?
Swirl marks are microscopic scratches on the car’s paint caused by improper washing, drying, and detailing methods. There’s a common misconception that swirl marks are circular in shape, but according to car wash industry experts, swirl marks can be of any shape, pattern, and size. The swirl marks can be found prominently on the car’s flat surfaces, like the hood, roof, trunk, and doors.
Techniques to Prevent Swirl Marks
Start by pre-washing your car
Begin your cleaning process by rinsing the car before you make the first contact. By wiping the dry, dirty car with a towel or sponge, you’re inflicting scratches on the car’s paint job. Always pre-wash your car thoroughly with water to remove the maximum dirt before you start cleaning it. You can also use snow foam and jet wash for your pre-wash. A good pre-wash will soften and loosen the dirt from the paint.
Use a microfiber towel or wash mitt
We highly recommend using a car-specific wash mitt or a microfiber towel while washing and drying your car. Microfiber towels are made of delicate materials and will not damage your car’s paint. Also, never use a sponge to wash your car—sponges allow dirt to get caught between them and the car’s paint, resulting in minute scratches. Even clean sponges are abrasive and can cause scratches on your car’s paintwork.
Using two buckets can do wonders
Always use two buckets of water while washing your car. Fill one bucket with soap solution used for washing cars, and the other for collecting the dirty water and to rinse out your mitt. Dip your mitt into the soapy solution first, clean your car, and then dunk it in the second bucket to rinse or wring it out. In this method, the mitt is dirt-free after you wring it out, eliminating the risk of dragging the dirt back on the car’s body.
Stay away from sunlight
A lovely sunny day is never an ideal time to wash your car! Car wash experts who partner with Way.com recommend that car owners never wash their vehicles under direct sunlight. The heat from the sun will quickly dry off water or any product applied to the car’s body, causing swirl marks and water spots. To prevent swirl marks, wash your car in the shade or on a cooler day.
Never wipe missed spots with a dry towel
Don’t wipe the missed spots with a dry towel. Forcefully scrubbing the dirt with a dry towel can drag the dirt across the paint and cause scratches. Wash the missed spot again instead of using a dry towel.
Visit a top-rated car wash near you
Many believe that an automated car wash is the sole reason for swirl marks on a car, which is certainly untrue. In reality, an improper hand wash can cause more swirl marks on your car when compared to an automatic car wash. In fact, by visiting a top-rated car wash, you can prevent thousands of scratches on your car’s body.
If you’re looking for the ideal car wash that bridges the gap between premium services and affordable rates, you can choose car wash services at Way.com. Here you can find advanced procedures and cutting-edge techniques like spot-free rinses, clear coats, and pre-soaking methods.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
