How to Dry a Car to Prevent Swirls and Scratches

Washing with a quality mitt and drying with microfiber cloths can prevent swirl marks.

Any washed car has swirl marks. Swirls result from a micro-marring of the wax coat, or a deeper issue in the clear coat of your paint job. Preventing these marks starts with a good wash job and a thorough rinse followed by a meticulous drying process and application of a protective barrier. Using quality products and a hands-on drying method will remedy surface swirls and restore your paint finish.

Things You'll Need

• Microfiber cloth
• Detailing spray

Instructions

1. Rinse the car thoroughly with cool clean water. Even if you've rinsed the car previously, you want to be certain that any dirt you can't see has been washed away. Dirt left on the surface of the car will leave a scratch everywhere its pushed. Most people wash in a circular pattern imitating Daniel LaRusso from the "Karate Kid" in the wax-on, wax-off scenes and swirl marks inevitably occur.

2. Dry the car with a microfiber cloth in each hand. Microfiber cloths are too soft to scratch the surface, unlike other drying cloths that contain polyester fibers. To ensure that cleaning cloths, washing mitts or microfiber won't scratch your car, try it on a CD first. If you wipe it across the surface of a CD and you don't see scratches the cloth or mitt is safe to use.

3. Spray on a quality detailing spray and wipe it in a figure-eight pattern, working in tight circles. Overlap new areas with previous areas to cover the whole car. The liquid wax is worked-in when it becomes invisible. Detailing spray is a liquid wax product that contains filler which seeps into fine scratches or swirl marks and makes them disappear.

Tips & Warnings

• Reduce the risk for swirl marks by pre-rinsing your car before you wash it. Prevent swirl marks by washing your car instead of using an automated car wash.

• Washing the car from bottom to top will introduce scratches into the wax or clear coat. Don't use a dirty car duster or car cover. Avoid using a dual-action polisher unless you are a professional.

References

• Ace Car Detailing: What Causes Swirl Marks
• Guide To Detailing: Quick Detailing Back To Perfection