When it rains...

[anthony_VWJET]

Any tips of what to do after driving in the rain and avoiding water marks on the car?

Its been raining for a few days, and iv been left with a few (... well alot) of water marks on my car... being black it sticks out like mad... it rained again... so i decided to whip out the chamois and wipe off the excess rain water... would that be a good idea or am i just rubbing dirt onto the paint work and creating swirls?

[Alfy]

mate!

don't ever use a chamois to rub off the rain water, it usually consists of dust and all kinds of pollutants... your not doing yourself any favours.

I'd suggest waiting till the weather clears up and then give it a nice wash.

[WEDEL.1]

Meguiars Quick detailer/Final Inspection when the paint is dry will help.

Maris

[anthony_VWJET]

mate!

don't ever use a chamois to rub off the rain water, it usually consists of dust and all kinds of pollutants... your not doing yourself any favours.

I'd suggest waiting till the weather clears up and then give it a nice wash.

Thought so... Last time il be doing that... i didnt do much of it as a percaution.. but yeah...

[Russ59]

If the car is wet from the rain and you have access to a hose and no water restrictions for using it, then give the car a quick hose down first and then chamois it off. This will remove any dirt and grit from the surface first and should help to avoid scratching. Keeping a good coat of wax on the paintwork and reapplying regularly (say once a month) will also help to keep it in good condition and make most scuffs and minor scratches easier to remove.

Russ

[faisan]

so i decided to whip out the chamois and wipe off the excess rain water... would that be a good idea or am i just rubbing dirt onto the paint work and creating swirls?

Yep you will rub dirt in and create swirls.

I wouldnt bother drying it after its rained. Just wash it when the weather clears up. If you apply a good paint sealant, it will help reduce water marks as the water cant stick to the paint.

[Diesel_vert]

... am i just rubbing dirt onto the paint work and creating swirls?

Yes.

On rainy days, just washing the wheels gives the illusion of a clean car, IMO.

[SoVeReIgN]

Polish and wax it = a clean lasts 10x as long

[Mrk_Mickey]

If the car is wet from the rain and you have access to a hose and no water restrictions for using it, then give the car a quick hose down first and then chamois it off. This will remove any dirt and grit from the surface first and should help to avoid scratching. Keeping a good coat of wax on the paintwork and reapplying regularly (say once a month) will also help to keep it in good condition and make most scuffs and minor scratches easier to remove.

Russ

Polish and wax it = a clean lasts 10x as long

These boys hit the nail on the head. I've just given my car a very deserved polish and wax (wax x2 cos it needed it) and after all the rain it's still 100% clean.

[PhilMart]

Even waxing causes problems .. waxing causes beading .. and beading will eventually dry to spots on the car. There are some waxes coming out now that apparently sheet rather than bead.

Never use a chamois ... use a microfibre .. preferably waffle weave, and a quick detailer is what you want to keep the car looking its best .. after of course you have washed, clayed, polished, glazed, sealed and waxed!

For you guys that love your car that much and want to spend the money to keep it looking good look at http://www.detailparadise.com.au for some hints and tips .. most of these guys are professional detailers and are happy to give out hints and tips.

[livingthedream]

Meguiars Quick detailer/Final Inspection when the paint is dry will help.

Maris

X2 - its fantastic for touch ups between washes