Paintwork blemishes/scratches

Boardwatcher

Hi everyone,

I have a black metallic 2009 Focus. Black of course being a difficult colour to keep looking well. I wash it myself with a hose and use a sponge that i bought in an auto factors.

I have noticed over time some relatively minor blemishes with the paintwork. It seems to scratch fairly easily. I am not talking about deep scratches but there are some noticeable dull scuff marks, some pretty long, when you look closely. There are also some shorter, thin 'white' scratches.

I am just wondering if i am doing anything wrong when i wash the car, the hose i use is not particulaly powerful so i wonder if i am spreading small bits of grit when i come to use the sponge and that then causes problems on the paintwork.

Someone in my house mentioned that a local garage can compound the paintwork for about 90euro, i have no idea what this entails or how effective it is. But what i am more concerned about is how not to pick up these blemishes in the first place.

Does anyone have any tips? Black is not a colour i would have chosen myself, but i had no choice as i bought the car second hand and everything else about the car is great.

Neilw

Using a sponge is not a good idea, a wash mitt is better, either a mictofibre one or lambs wool. Also it's a good idea to use two buckets for washing. One for clean wash solution and the other for just rinse water.
Start at the top of the car, wash a section then rinse mitt in clear water bucket then soap up again in wash solution. This was the wash solution and mit stay cleaner and don't drag grit over the paint. Don't use washing up liquid as it strips any wax that's already on the car. Buy a car shampoo.

I find the most notaceable results of a good wash system is in the drying stage. Buy a two good microfibre drying towels and some quick detailer, mist qd over a panel and wipe off with towel to leave a streak free gloss finish

Ardennes1944

if their isnt an almost continuous flow of water on the paintwork you could end up scratching the paint with grit but with a sponge if you squeeze gently you should be ok. i would just wash, t-cut and wax it. although you may not want to t-cut it seeing as how its so new. the t-cut will clear up the blemishes brilliantly. my mums 2007 mazda 3 had light scratches all down both sides from briars in ditches and other things. the i t-cut and waxed it and their all gone. its very rewarding. wax it now or else you'l face a horrible battle in a years time if you decide to start

Dublinarea

Check out www.detailingworld.co.uk

Every answer to every question you could have is on here.
The T cut is harsh, i would recommend buffing them out and sealing and waxing the car. Most of those swirls you are seeing is from bad washing technique. The good news is that they can be removed
I buffed my car the other day,looking sweet now.

Gumbo

www.detailer.ie