Whats with this thing? I have washed the E about three times now and every time I think it gets worse. The water will not run off the thing and now I have a real problem with water spots. To the casual observer, they really cannot be seen. I know they are there and all you have to do to really see them is get the car wet again?!?!?! Anyway, is there something I can do other than rubbing compounds and a grinder (just kidding) to get this thing slick enough so at least some or most of the water falls off at least the vertical panels???:-(

Get a nice Microfiber towel, preferably waffle weave style, to dry it with. Then hit it with some quick detailer, I prefer the Megs ultimate quick detailer. The quick detailer should take care of the water spots.

Drip Drying a vehicle is the quickest way to get water spots on it. I have very very little water spots if any after washing my E. If I find a few spots, I hit them with quick detailer and they go bye bye.

A Microfiber towel is your friend, use it.

Here is a great write-up from Autogeek on teh proper procedure to wash your car for a swirl/spot free shine.
http://www.autogeek.net/exterior.html

Blow dryer?

:)

seriously, I nothing beats a chamois - real or synthetic.

Right after I wash I use The California Water Blade followed by some good Microfiber. Water spots are few and far between.

Drip dry?? Nah, FREEWAY dry :D

I agree - a microfiber towel is the best solution. :)

I've never had a problem with water spots. When I'm done he just shakes off the excess, licks his a$$ and goes over to the nearest dirt pile and rolls around.:razz:

A nice coat of wax is a good start, it'll get the water to bead. Then at least drive it around for a while to get the water lurking in between the panels. Or use a leaf blower (I do this one when I'm lazy). Really, a good chamois is the way to go. Or one of them fiber optic thingies Crit was talkin' about.:D

http://www.amazon.com/Original-California-Car-Duster-Water/dp/B00008RW9X

Step one: California Water Blade

http://www.amazon.com/Absorber-51149-Chamois-Colors-Vary/dp/B0000AY69V

Step two: The Absorber (for the damn drips that come out from around the glass and water out of the stupid mirror that runs down the door and all the glass for a spot free finish)

both available on amazon for you shut-ins and at target, walmart or the dpet store of your choice ect....

/end thread ;)

A nice coat of wax is a good start, it'll get the water to bead.

And the #1 way to get water spots is to get the water to bead. You want the water to sheet, not bead.

And for another thing, wtf is up with California-everything these days? California water blade, California duster, California King, I just don't get it...:confused:

...wtf is up with California-everything these days? California water blads, California duster, California King, I just don't get it...:confused:

30 Million plus people with too much time on their hands?

:)

30 Million plus people with too much time on their hands?

:)

Damn bored hippies...:rolleyes:

And the #1 way to get water spots is to get the water to bead. You want the water to sheet, not bead.

And for another thing, wtf is up with California-everything these days? California water blade, California duster, California King, I just don't get it...:confused:

Twi, you know I love you man but, let me see if I can put this in a way you can understand it I.T. man...

What I said:
C:>
10 If A="you don't want water spots start with a good coat of wax" THEN goto 20
20 At least drive around to remove the water from between the panels
30 PRINT "Painted panels rule FTW!!1!!"
40 END

What you said I said:
C:>
10 If A="you don't want waterspots start with a good coat of wax" THEN goto 20
20 END

If I want my water to sheet I'll pee in the bed.:twisted:

:wink:

Wasn't taking issue with your whole explanation, just the beading part. I absolutely fully approve of the driving around like a maniac part though :razz: I was taking the beading part and applying it to the original question, which is about water simply running off the panels. Beading is a start, but if you want them to run off without driving around/drying, sheeting is a much better way to go.








And plastic panels are SO far superior to your painted panels. 'Nuff said. :evil:

And plastic panels are SO far superior to your painted panels. 'Nuff said. :evil:

+1 Very little up keep needed :D

...If I want my water to sheet I'll pee in the bed...

:lol:

If you're looking for a new career, you should consider being a copy writer for an ad agency that works for car wax companies! I can see the ads now. :rolleyes:

Wasn't taking issue with your whole explanation, just the beading part. I absolutely fully approve of the driving around like a maniac part though :razz: I was taking the beading part and applying it to the original question, which is about water simply running off the panels. Beading is a start, but if you want them to run off without driving around/drying, sheeting is a much better way to go.








And plastic panels are SO far superior to your painted panels. 'Nuff said. :evil:

But the OP asked for alternatives. Twi do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with your wife's hands wrapped around your neck? I was wondering because I do (my wife's hands not yours). The reason I ask is that your application of logic resembles mine and it infuriates her to the point of homicide.

How does one get the water to sheet anyway? It would make drying much easier considering the acres and acres of horizontal metal on these cars.

Unpainted panels = Carpet does not match the drapes.
Painted panels = smooove waxed goodness.:lol:

But the OP asked for alternatives. Twi do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with your wife's hands wrapped around your neck? I was wondering because I do (my wife's hands not yours). The reason I ask is that your application of logic resembles mine and it infuriates her to the point of homicide.

How does one get the water to sheet anyway? It would make drying much easier considering the acres and acres of horizontal metal on these cars.

Unpainted panels = Carpet does not match the drapes.
Painted panels = smooove waxed goodness.:lol:

Sheeting is easily accomplished if you don't use a nozzle on your hose. You just flow the soap off the horizontal panels trying not to make splashes. The water beads on my cars but by using this technique, it flows right off. I finish up with the Absorber.

Also, on the roof, hood, windshield, etc I sometimes just open up the Absorber and lay it flat on the area I want to dry. Holding it by the corners, I drag it across the surface. The surface dries and has no spots.

I'm a big Meguiars fan and have one of their waffle microfiber drying towels and like it, but still prefer the Absorber.

Just my $.02

Right after I wash I use The California Water Blade followed by some good Microfiber. Water spots are few and far between.

Same here.

But the OP asked for alternatives. Twi do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with your wife's hands wrapped around your neck? I was wondering because I do (my wife's hands not yours). The reason I ask is that your application of logic resembles mine and it infuriates her to the point of homicide.

How does one get the water to sheet anyway? It would make drying much easier considering the acres and acres of horizontal metal on these cars.

Unpainted panels = Carpet does not match the drapes.
Painted panels = smooove waxed goodness.:lol:

Ahh there's so many different points to respond to but I'll try to hit the high points :razz:

Yes, my wife frequently attempts to murder me. It's like Professor Clouseau and Kato :rolleyes:

To get water to sheet, during the wash use TangoBill's suggestion for no nozzle and no splash, just run the water evenly parallel to the panels for the final rinse.

After the wash, use a sheeting wax similar to Final Detail Instant Spray Wax, specifically one that contains DuPont Zonyl.

Sheeting and beading are functions of surface tension vs. adhesion and you can formulate a wax or coating to do either/or.

That cover everything?

After the wash, use a sheeting wax similar to Final Detail Instant Spray Wax, specifically one that contains DuPont Zonyl.




There you have it Fozzie. Two pages of "use a chamois/microfiber" and finally one of our most allecky smartallecks gives a solution that does not require a noticable increase in effort on your part.

To sum up: wash, use Zonyl, have beer. Any easier and your kids would be doing it for you.

If you want to have some real fun start a thread about the 2010 model.:twisted:

Right after I wash I use The California Water Blade followed by some good Microfiber. Water spots are few and far between.

Yep, me too. Luv that California water blade.

Yep, me too. Luv that California water blade.

Same here.... me 3. That and some clean cotton towels, all is well.

I guess the main point of my post was that the water beads terribly.. beads beads beads beads... I will look for the blade and the microfiber towels.. some spray on wax or slicker er er.. would be good too.

Dry your vehicle after a wash job. It's that simple.

Sounds like you have a lot of surface grit. Try this. before you wash, GENTLY, rub your hand across the surface. You should hear a "shhhhh" as your hand slides across the grit (assuming your car isn't covered in mud but just due for a good cleaning). Then after you wash it rub your hand across again. It will probably feel just about the same. Thats because there's alot of dirt that has settled in your clearcoat/wax and is holding onto the water. Go to Autozone or your local car parts store and get a claybar kit.

Inside you'll find just that. A bar of clay. And a bottle of detail spray.

First wash the car reeeeeealy good. Then towel dry it. Might want to let it sit for just a little bit so all the crevice drips can run out and you can dry those too. Then start on the hood and spray a small area with the detailer spray. Mold the clay into a flat usable surface and slide it over the area you sprayed. Don't grind it in just let it slide. You'll feel it sliding over the grit. A few more passes and the gritty feeling will be gone. This is the shearing effect of the claybar. Now dry that section off. Just as a test to see that its working, rub your hand over an untreated section then over the section you just claybarred. The claybarred section should feel like it has a coat of wax on it. Obviously it doesn't its just really clean. Proceed on around the car doing about an 18" square section at a time to ensure good coverage.

After you finish, follow up with a good wax. I prefer Mothers Carnauba Cleaning wax but to each his own. Take your time.

When the waxing is done. The paint will look BETTER than it did the day you bought it. My neighbor came out as I was finishing up and said, "DAMN!! What'd you do to that thing? It looks amazing!!!". After its all clean and waxed you shouldn't have much problem with water spots.

Sounds like you have a lot of surface grit. Try this. before you wash, GENTLY, rub your hand across the surface. You should hear a "shhhhh" as your hand slides across the grit (assuming your car isn't covered in mud but just due for a good cleaning). Then after you wash it rub your hand across again. It will probably feel just about the same. Thats because there's alot of dirt that has settled in your clearcoat/wax and is holding onto the water. Go to Autozone or your local car parts store and get a claybar kit.

Inside you'll find just that. A bar of clay. And a bottle of detail spray.

First wash the car reeeeeealy good. Then towel dry it. Might want to let it sit for just a little bit so all the crevice drips can run out and you can dry those too. Then start on the hood and spray a small area with the detailer spray. Mold the clay into a flat usable surface and slide it over the area you sprayed. Don't grind it in just let it slide. You'll feel it sliding over the grit. A few more passes and the gritty feeling will be gone. This is the shearing effect of the claybar. Now dry that section off. Just as a test to see that its working, rub your hand over an untreated section then over the section you just claybarred. The claybarred section should feel like it has a coat of wax on it. Obviously it doesn't its just really clean. Proceed on around the car doing about an 18" square section at a time to ensure good coverage.

After you finish, follow up with a good wax. I prefer Mothers Carnauba Cleaning wax but to each his own. Take your time.

When the waxing is done. The paint will look BETTER than it did the day you bought it. My neighbor came out as I was finishing up and said, "DAMN!! What'd you do to that thing? It looks amazing!!!". After its all clean and waxed you shouldn't have much problem with water spots.

Definitely +1 for the Clay Bar. It will work wonders.

Yeah, I was thinking about the clay bar... it rained today.. And I thought about it more...

Drip dry?? Nah, FREEWAY dry :D


Drip dry. ONLY if your naked. Is your E naked