Water Streaks

[Sir_GTI]

Hi,

I need some help / tips.

I am getting water streaks after drying the car. they are visible on all the panels. I have used different shampoo's, chamois's, waffle weave's and sponges / mitts. Nothing has made a difference.

I was told to use dish washing liquid first, to cut wax / grease off the paintwork and then do a proper wash, clean and wax and this will solve it ..... few hours later, and the car is dry, and there are water streaks all through it still.

Can anyone help or provide some tips / pointers to get this fixed. Looks like a mess on a nice sunny day.......

Thanks

[carcareproducts]

Are you able to post any photos up?

And what products are you using? As its strange that you are having these issues.

[Corey_R]

Hey Sir_GTI.

All drying methods leave tiny traces of water behind, however, they're meant to evaporate leaving a clean, clear, surface. However, how the paint is sealed, and the products and techniques you use to wash have a major effect on the successfulness of this process.

Do you live in an area of Sydney with recycled water? I do and I find that this adds an extra amount of "difficulty" over regular fresh water as well.


I'm not sure about the "dish washing liquid" advice. However, I do recommend to full detailing starting with an APC, then claying, then polishing (if required to remove swirls etc) then pre-sealant/wax cleaner/bonder, then the wax/sealant of your choice.

I believe the most important part of this process is the "wax/sealant" of your choice. Not only will that determine the effectiveness of the paint protection and easy at general washing maintanence, but it will also determine the "pre-sealant/wax cleaner/bonder" that you would use.

On the weekend I helped my sister go through this entire process, and we used the Mint APC, Mint Clay Bar Kit (she's on a budget, I'd personally use the Dodo Juice Claybar Kit if you can afford it), and then followed that with the Nanolex Premium Paint Sealant Kit which includes it's own paint cleaner for use between the Claying and the Sealant. Her car was brand new, so there was no need for the polishing step.

The nanolex product repels water and dirty and grim pretty well, and is a "nano-technology" product which will last at least 12 months with minimal of upkeep.

So that's the first step to your solution. Get the sealant right.


The next step is using a good quality wash. Whether it be Duragloss 105 or Dodo Juice Born To Be Mild or even Nanolex's Reactivating Shampoo which prolongs the life of the sealant and aids in water beading.


The final step, ESPECIALLY if you're using recycled water, is a "quick detailer" for the paint and glass cleaner for your windows. It goes back to the fact that all of the drying methods leave a certain amount of small water particles behind which evaporate away. Even with good technique and shampoos and waffle-weave drying towels, I find that the recycled water can leave some streaks, especially on glass.

So using a glass cleaner such as Stoner Invisible Glass and a quick detailer such as Duragloss Aquawax helps a heap here.


Whilst my sister purchased the Duragloss Aquawax, we didn't get a chance to use it on the weekend as we were doing the sealant process. The Aquawax has the benefit of that it can be used after or BEFORE the drying process. Whilst I'm 100% confident from my experience with other Duragloss quick detailers that using Aquawax after the drying process will achieve the effects of removing any "drying streaks" left behind from even the worst of Sydney Recycled water, I haven't yet had a chance to spray this on before drying and seeing how it handles recycled water (so maybe someone else can comment on that).

Anyway.... sorry if that sounds like a bit of a sales pitch. As much as CCP jokes about it, I don't work or get paid by them, but I have purchased and used each of these products and can highly recommend them.

[Corey_R]

Doh... I really shouldn't start replying and then get side-tracked for 20 mins... CCP is already on the case!

[Sir_GTI]

Thanks for the reply.

I will take some photo's this weekend ... weather permitting.

I have used a variety of shampoo's and shampoo wax products.

I have recently switched from ArmourAll wash to the Turtle Wax ICE wash.

The Turtle wax leaves less streaks but, not much less.

[Sir_GTI]

Thanks Corey,

I know I should invest in some better products, but I want to make sure I can get this streaking bussiness under control.

I do live in an area that uses recycled water, but never had this issue on my previous cars.

It is almost like there is something covering the car, that just wont come off.

[Corey_R]

Yeah - the Armour All and Turtle Wax products are a compromise at the best of times. But if you are concerned about something being on your car and causing the issue, washing the car with APC and even following that with isopropyl alcohol would certainly remove that (ask CCP's advice about whether the isopropyl is overkill after the APC).

[Sir_GTI]

Here are some pics,

[Corey_R]

Hey mate. To me that looks just like what gets left behind after rinsing with recycled water, and then when my microfibre waffle weave drying towel is too soaked and it's time to switch to the other one.

If you're getting that ALL OVER the car, and you're already using a good quality microfibre waffle-weave drying towel, then I can only assume that you really need to work on your foundation (what is sealing the paint) and/or start using a quick detailer during or after the drying.

I know that you've said you want to resolve this water streaking issue first, but the thing is, you need to get your foundation right first! If you go through the APC > Claybar > Nanolex Paint Cleaner then Nanolex Paint Sealant (as I described above), then not only will you be giving your car a great shine, and a great protective coating that will last a year+, but you will make washing and drying the car so much quicker and easier and probably resolve this issue you're having anyway. You'll need to switch car wash (again, as per my post) so that the wash doesn't remove or cover the sealant, but then dirty and grim won't cling as much, and water will bead better and come off the paint easier.

And a quick spray and wipe with quick detailer after each wash will take care of any final residue as well as deepen the sheen and add to the protective layer making your next wash easier again...

[brad]

My car does that at the moment...... because I haven't waxed it for about 9 months.

What products are you using?

[Sir_GTI]

Thanks Corey,

I will have to invest in some new cleaning products and get stuck into it. Funny how it is only this car that does it though, and all our other cars are fine.

Brad,

I am currently using Turtle wax ICE wash, and previously it was AmourAll wash.

[Corey_R]

NP. You've already mentioned the wash products before...
I think that they're more interested in what is the wax/sealants that you're using?

[Sir_GTI]

Yes,

I only use the wash.

No Wax or Sealants............ : )

[brad]

I am currently using Turtle wax ICE wash, and previously it was AmourAll wash.

i have no experience of the TW-ICE. Armourall Wash (not the wash&Wax) is a good product for the price. I assume you are using the exact mixing recomendations? If you go stronger, it will strip off the wax. I like Duragloss myself but i don't think any brand of car wash will cure your issue. You need to get the basics right.

What products in this process? Don't tell me turtlewax ICE wax?

I was told to use dish washing liquid first, to cut wax / grease off the paintwork and then do a proper wash, clean and wax and this will solve it ..... few hours later, and the car is dry, and there are water streaks all through it still.

What do you mean by wash, clean & wax? Which dishwashing liquid? Dawn?

I would thoroughly recomend you talk to either carcareproducts or waxit and get a basic kit of compatible products. Attending a carcareproducts demo/teaching day is worth it too.

I have a red car too. If it was me, I'd either:
Get DMS detailing or carcareproducts to strip, clean & reprotect (sealant/wax/whatever takes your fancy) and have them instruct you on the correct method of washing for the product applied. then send it back for a rub&tug every 6months or so.

or if you like DIY & spending money on good product

wash the car with double strength Armourall Wash. Then clay with something like Dodo Clay & Dodo born slippy. Wash with normal strength armourall. Wax with something like Natty's Blue, which lasts really well. Then maintain with Duragloss Carwash Concentrate & duragloss aquawax. (nb: dozens of favourite products out there. They are just the stuff I have used & like. i could spend hundreds on product quite easily).

[KWS]

A question from the uninformed. If your sister's car was brand new, wouldn't it be fully "protected" by the paint/polishing process from the manufacturer? Seems like you've gone to a lot of trouble to remove anything that was there originally, or is that the intention. Sorry, I'm a bit confused.