Clay Bar on new truck?

[BoostN]

I've got just over 20K on my truck, I waxed it with the two step process that Bill (CtChevy427) recommended and after a wash job the truck just doesn't look new anymore. :nonod:

WAY to many swirls and spider looking lines in the paint. What am I missing? I'm using ZipWax along with a nice clean mitt.

 

[Mad Maxx]

The Mitt is what is Causing the Swirls.

My S60R had the Softest Paint I've ever seen on a Vehicle, and the First Time I Washed it with a "High Quality" Expensive Mitt, to put it Nicely, the Paint Looked like Shit. I was Pissed. It took me Months to get it Back to Looking like Glass.

You want a Mitt that Looks like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003POJ1DU/?tag=jhuntlink-20 I got mine at Target for a few Bucks, but make sure it Looks like this one.

 

[BoostN]

The Mitt is what is Causing the Swirls.

My S60R had the Softest Paint I've ever seen on a Vehicle, and the First Time I Washed it with a "High Quality" Expensive Mitt, to put it Nicely, the Paint Looked like Shit. I was Pissed. It took me Months to get it Back to Looking like Glass.

You want a Mitt that Looks like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003POJ1DU/?tag=jhuntlink-20 I got mine at Target for a few Bucks, but make sure it Looks like this one.

Thanks James, I actually have one and used it once. I didn't hold the suds for me so that's why I stopped using it.. I'll give it a go next time around though.

Now, getting these lines out of my paint....

 

[Mad Maxx]

Prob. gonna have to do the whole Truck in ScratchX.

 

[btfarm]

First off: Are you sure you are getting ALL of the grit off BEFORE you even think about trying to wash it? I go through the Superwash Auto before I wash. I also use Zipwash but on a fully rinsed, then dipped in the wash bucket and wrung out wash towel. I follow that with a dry wipe from a micro towel. I don't water rinse and I do it inside. THEN I wax. What's worked best for me is the Midnight Express followed with Turtlewax ICE and micro buff.
Ain't black fun!?
ScratchX is a nono for me. Way too coarse. Midnight Express works.

 

[saratoga]

GM black swirls if you look at it wrong.

 

[Ed HD]

:stupid:

You need a good polish with a D/A Polisher, like the Porter Cable 7424 XP that I have, using the right compounds and pads, then wax. Makes black look a mile deep.

For washing, I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Shampoo and a splash of dish detergent if I want to remove old wax and/or sap, etc. For wax I use Meguiar's #21 Synthetic Wax/Sealant, which I get from Autogeek (.net). Goes on easy and lasts forever, and a 16 oz bottle, which is good for hundreds of applications (still on my first bottle) is only $20. It's all about using quality products. For the price it's great, but you can spend more and get better looking waxes, which don't last as long. I usually use #21 for my base coat no matter what, then apply others over the top.

I'm no expert, this is coming from other forums and experimenting with different products. YMMV.