Too much soap?

[kiznarsh]

I just picked my S4 a couple months ago and have no plans on taking it to any car wash. So far I've washed it a few times using Mother's car wash soap, but it always leaves water spots that I've tried to capture in the pic below (you can see it near the tree tops). My drying technique is using a really thick microfiber towel to get 80% of it dry, and then another micro fiber towel to get it completely dry. The spots in the picture appear after the first towel and while from a distance the car looks dry, these spots remain. Fortunately they come off using the 2nd towel, but I find that I have to push pretty hard.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rGWzhzpzb_8/T-dh00Suc0I/AAAAAAAABSo/l9oCJEMtKpY/s1031/IMG_20120622_193051.jpg

I assumed I was using too much soap; Mother's recommends 1 ounce/gallon of water so a couple days ago when I washed the car, I actually measured 3 oz. using a shot glass and filled up my 3 gallon bucket. But the spots remained. My next attempt will be 2 oz. for the same 3 gallons of water.

Anyone else deal with this? Is this a characteristic of this specific soap, or is it merely using too much?

Thanks.

[helix139]

could be that you have hard water. There are filtration systems available on Autogeek. I'd recommend wiping the car down with detail spray after you dry it.

[A4A4A4]

Doesn't look like soap residue to me. Regardless, make sure you're giving your car a very good rinse after you've soaped it all up. Unlike helix, I spray my detail spray directly onto the wet car right after I'm done my rinse to help neutralize the water, then you can proceed to drying it all up.

[maga4]

Rinse a ton, then find one of those squeegee things http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Automotive-CC-2010-Water-Blade/dp/B002BELP3Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340573240&sr=8-1&keywords=water+blade to get most of the water off quickly, then dry 100% with the towel.

If that doesn't work, wash it in the garage with Optimum No Rinse (what I've done all but 2 times since I took delivery in August). http://www.detailersdomain.com/Optimum-No-Rinse-Wash-Shine-NEW-FORMULA_p_154.html

Good luck!

[OTDetailer]

Looks like hard water to me. you can add 1 - 2 oz of ONR to soften your water in your wash bucket. Do NOT USE WATERBLADES to dry. If the surface is hot...spray Quick detailer onto your towel and dry the car...if its cool...then you can spray onto the surface and dry with your towel, but I spray both towel and the surface.

[CHEROHALA]

why shouldnt you use a waterblade to dry?

[beantown]

why shouldnt you use a waterblade to dry?

Interested to know as well.

Sent via Tapatalk

[kiznarsh]

Well judging by the water spots on my mirror in the shower, my apartment building definitely has hard water. I've been here for several years and don't remember battling this issue all the time, but there were definitely times when I noticed it on the GTI too.

In any case, looks like the optimum no rinse is a good idea to help alleviate the problem. Unfortunately I can't eliminate the issue as I doubt my landlord is going to install a filtration system. [>_>]

Edit: just watched a few videos and it seems like the real advantage will be able to dry immediately if I only do 1 panel/door at a time. For example I usually do roof+windshield+hood+front grille together, then do each side separately, and finally the trunk and bumper at the end. But if I split those up and, say, just do the hood by itself, I can dry immediately since I don't have to rinse. This is promising. [up]

[TOGWT]

This may help - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia-detailing-wiki/141304-drying-paint-surface-using-drying-aid.html

[pokerfad]

PLEASE DON'T USE A BLADE!!! If there is the slightest grain of dirt or any other foreign substance on the surface it will drag at across the paint and scratch it undoubtedly! It looks fast and easy which it is, but they can cause tremendous damage!

[Crucible35]

Well judging by the water spots on my mirror in the shower, my apartment building definitely has hard water. I've been here for several years and don't remember battling this issue all the time, but there were definitely times when I noticed it on the GTI too.

In any case, looks like the optimum no rinse is a good idea to help alleviate the problem. Unfortunately I can't eliminate the issue as I doubt my landlord is going to install a filtration system. [>_>]

Edit: just watched a few videos and it seems like the real advantage will be able to dry immediately if I only do 1 panel/door at a time. For example I usually do roof+windshield+hood+front grille together, then do each side separately, and finally the trunk and bumper at the end. But if I split those up and, say, just do the hood by itself, I can dry immediately since I don't have to rinse. This is promising. [up]

I don't think they were recommending ONR for the full wash....just add a capful to your bucket when doing your regular wash method to soften the water. ONR for a full wash is really best for those who don't have the means to do a regular hand wash.....like me. I don't have a garage or access to a hose other than the coin wash.
Some will debate that regardless of the waterless/no rinse wash you use, they're use can still potentially scratch your paint. Oh yeah, NO to the water blade.

[will175]

It looks like Hard water like some have mentioned. You can get yourself a water filtration set up like CR Spotless or the one Auto Geek sells. I have had the CR Spotless and now have the AutoGeek set up at the new shop. Here in Vegas we have some pretty hard water and the AG one is holding up pretty good so far. You could spray some QD (Quick Detailer) while you dry your car is you do not use air to help the process. Compressed air or a "Electric" blower is preferred and blot with a soft waffle weave or plush drying towel. Please DO NOT use the drying blade thing, it WILL put defects into your paint. Its not assumption but a proven issue. Good rule of thumb, less times you can touch your paint in the washing/drying process with out a lubricant (Super slick soap,QD,LSP,etc) in between the better.

[A62TURBO]

PLEASE DON'T USE A BLADE!!! If there is the slightest grain of dirt or any other foreign substance on the surface it will drag at across the paint and scratch it undoubtedly! It looks fast and easy which it is, but they can cause tremendous damage!

I've been using the blade for 15 years and never scratched my car.

[helix139]

I've been using the blade for 15 years and never scratched my car.

I'd like to see your cars under a detailing shop's lighting. Not saying you're wrong, just saying it doesn't seem likely.

[ChrisFarleyGuy]

I've always been skeptical of water blades, hence why I sheet rinse and use a QD spray in conjunction with a waffle weave towel.

I'm sure they work as advertised, I just don't want to chance it.

[jr1415us]

Has anyone tried a teaspoon or so of something like Finish Jet Dry in the water? Works great on glassware…

[pokerfad]

I'd like to see your cars under a detailing shop's lighting. Not saying you're wrong, just saying it doesn't seem likely.

+1

[pokerfad]

I've been using the blade for 15 years and never scratched my car.

Check out the multitude of write ups on the detailing forums that are provided by the best detailers in the world and I challenge you to find one that use a blade. I am glad you find it useful, but there are tons of horror stories out there that are a direct result of blade usage.

[kiznarsh]

I don't think they were recommending ONR for the full wash....just add a capful to your bucket when doing your regular wash method to soften the water. ONR for a full wash is really best for those who don't have the means to do a regular hand wash.....like me. I don't have a garage or access to a hose other than the coin wash.
Some will debate that regardless of the waterless/no rinse wash you use, they're use can still potentially scratch your paint. Oh yeah, NO to the water blade.

Yeah I got his intention, but I like the idea of using ONR for the full wash just to spend less time. Not sure about you, but I've noticed I spend a solid 2 - 2.5 hours when I wash the car, and that includes vacuuming, dusting the interior, applying some interior shine to get rid of stains if necessary, cleaning windows, full wash, then drying everywhere including the door sills and jambs, then going out for a quick spin to get water out from tough to reach areas, then come back to dry excess water, and of course the wheels. [rolleyes]

The ONR isn't coming in till next week so I won't be able to use it this weekend, but hopefully the following one which will include clay bar, polish, paint sealant, and wax.

I don't plan on using the blade as that's irrelevant to my hard water issue.

[A62TURBO]

Check out the multitude of write ups on the detailing forums that are provided by the best detailers in the world and I challenge you to find one that use a blade. I am glad you find it useful, but there are tons of horror stories out there that are a direct result of blade usage.

Horror stories happen because of people and they're inability to use products and devices properly, the blade is one of the best ways to get a majority of the water off the car before it dries up and turns into water spots. My Audi is an 03' and the paint still looks like new even after 10 years.

[helix139]

Horror stories happen because of people and they're inability to use products and devices properly, the blade is one of the best ways to get a majority of the water off the car before it dries up and turns into water spots. My Audi is an 03' and the paint still looks like new even after 10 years.

It has nothing to do with using it properly. If a grain of dirt happens to get on the paint in between the washing and drying, you will be dragging it across the clearcoat. Even if you're careful, there is a risk there. Especially if you aren't washing and drying in a fully enclosed area. Like I said before, let me see your clearcoat under the lamps of a detail shop after extended use of the blade without paint correction (at least a light polish) and the story could very well be different.

[kiznarsh]

I ordered a bottle of ONR and it arrived last night, so this morning I woke up semi-early and did a full wash with the ONR. I should really wash in the morning instead of the afternoons since the car is cool and there's plenty of shade without worrying about daylight fading, but I digress.

As instructed, I did one panel at a time and dried it immediately, leaving no water marks as seen here:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KCT9NXA9U3Y/T--OgWt15sI/AAAAAAAABTg/E7rxR5ODC0M/s1031/IMG_20120630_104523.jpg

Then followed it with a little spray wax for now, and things are looking good for my trip up the coast. Hoping to take some scenic shots along the 17-mile drive. [:d]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PlWN9GRdGSY/T--QSqwNtqI/AAAAAAAABTk/9BF4IlNU3z0/s0-d/IMG_20120630_131720.jpg

[OTDetailer]

kiznarsh nice S4 and mods, I will be moving to temple city in a few weeks. let me know if you need anything.