If it rains and you let the rain dry off your car, will it damage the paint? Should you wipe it off manually each time?

Also, I found some fine lines on my paint. I think it's because of a complimentary car wash I got with the car after having it transported across America. He used this mop-like looking thing to clean it. I should have stopped him. I don't think those lines are scratches, they're micro-fine, and have to do with what the guy used to dry the car. How can I get rid of those micro-lines?

wax it? also, water spots shouldn't be too bad. again, if it's waxed, the water will slide off

I dunno where you live but I hear that acid rain in some parts of the country can be pretty bad for paint. I really have no idea where it 'acid rains' though.

I imagine that keeping it waxed would help a bunch - as KillerTHC stated, the water should just roll off.

BTW Nice nick there Killer I love it. :D Reminds me that I'm jonesin though. :mad: People are stockpiling for war or something.

My WRX has gotten only hand-washings all summer. I also turn down any 'complimentary' washes to avoid that scratch problem. I bet a good waxing will fix you right up.

Cheers!

Acid rain (rain with a pH level less than 5.5) is most common in the ohio valley, and the CA area.

Best way to get rid of tiny scratches is to take it to a professional detailer. A good one. It will cost money, but if you really want your car to look good, it's worth it.

Jordan

FirmWind,

Those micro fine scraches(or spider-webing) are something your going to have to get used to. You can use a filler polish to get most of them to dissapear. (they don't go away they just get filled) I like Mothers systems, they have a 1,2, 3 system that first cleans the paint of all waxes and contaminents (i like the clay bars better now though) then a polish that fills in the spider-webing and finaly a wax that seals the paint.

I use a "quick-detail" spray when ever i'm just wiping down the car even when it's still wet after washing. It has a lube in it so it dosen't scrach as much and it has a little wax in it as well to help keep the fine lines filled in. If the car isn't that dirty (doesn't have globs of mud on it) you can clean the car USUALLY without washing it first (like after a rain)

Any kind of synthetic fiber (except for something like "The absorber") will scrach the paint. Any car wash that you don't do yourself will probly end up scraching your paint. Don't even thing about useing one of the brushes in a "do it yourself" car wash, the guy before you probly just finished scrubbing down his 4wheeler and they hold all kinds of dirt.

A brush for washing IS the best but you need to use a "boars hair" brush. It's a natural fiber that stays stiff when wet and is smooth so dirt rinses right out. The main drawback is there expensive. Try this link to i feel the best detail product site ever, they have EVERYTHING http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&Page=2 including brushes.

Wow....i'm on a roll:eek:

Peas,
AaRoN

I called Meguiars for this car prescription thingy they had on one of their bottles. You give them your location and your car info and they send you this car care prescription for your car. Dude said VA and DC Metro area is the worst areas for acid rain:eek:

I'm seriously considering taking it to a detailer. I'll probably ask them to clay bar the thing first and then see what they can do to seal up the spider webs.

Is there some equipment that lets you fill in the spider webs with a minimum of paint? e.g. I've got some touch-up paint bottles coming in, was wondering if they can be used at all to permanently seal the spider webs.

If I just leave the car as it is with its spider webs, as long as I don't have any scratches to the metal, will the paint remain in its present condition, or is it something I should take care of right away? The thing is, if I want to take it to a detailer to have it done right (I'm really a newbie at car exterior stuff, don't want to risk doing something wrong), I'll have to save up some money, probably won't be able to do the detailing till Jan '02. As long as I wash the car regularly, it should hold up till then and not deteriorate in paint condition right?

thanks for all the replies!

A detal will take out the fine scraches, but your car is new so I wouldn't do it now. A high speed buff will take some of your finish off and there like 90.00$, for the out side. Use a polish then wax if you want then a glaze, a glaze will last untell the next rain or wash, but it will look like new. I do this twice a year good hand wash get all the bugs and tar off with a bug & tar remover then a cleaner next a fine cut polish then a wax and glaze. After that I park it and then people spit on it then the birds have there way with it, so I say forget it and go mudding. Don't dry it after it rains you will scrach it try not to touch it with anything no soft cloth car wash, no brushes. High nip tarry cloth towels to dry it will do the least damage

Are your scraches right through the paint.....????


If not, there only in the the clear........applying touch up paing to such fine scraches will make a mess. There is simply NO way to avoid spider webing (other than not driving the car)

They can be filled though, like it has been outlined here.....


If you really wanna learn about this "detailing" thing....visit a book store........i know you can find books on it cause i spent hours in Barns n Nobles reading them :D

No matter how you look at it paint detierorates(spelling:rolleyes: )
Right from the start. Even if you garage the car, never drive in the rain and cover it when you go into a store, it still goes south.

Oh.....and subarus paint is notorious for being crappy right from the start....:( jus gotta deal with it.........

Peas,
AaRoN

ALL BAD IDEAS, your car is brand new, the paint is and will be breathing and curing for 5 to 6 months. If you read any owners manual or talk to a good detailer they will tell you to stay away from any polishes, waxes, or paint sealant for that amount of time. Only then, would I recommend any finishing products.