Hey folks,

So I've had my 2005 HB/B MCS for 2 weeks to the day now. When I got it, it was already quite clean, so I left it until it got dirty and ended up washing it a week after (last Thursday). I gave it a pretty thorough wash as well as some Carnauba Spritz QD afterwards (I could tell it was already waxed, so instead of waxing it all over again, I just applied the QD for some extra shine).

Since a week ago when I washed it, I've been covering it religiously as is my intention for the life of the car (sadly, I park in a university parking lot where I can't get a covered garage or anything of the sort). Today when I took the cover off I was horrified when I saw my black roof in the direct sunlight, with already plenty of spiderweb/swirlmarks, accompanied by a few water drops and strange discolorations which I assume is just dirt of some sort in little concentrations.

I've never owned a car with black paint before, and I couldn't believe how quickly this happened! Is this normal or am I probably doing something to cause it? I was extra-careful when washing/drying the car a week ago, using a chenille mitt from Autopia to apply the soap, and laying on and pulling off an "Absorber" towel as per BradB's suggestions to dry (then using an Ultimate Drying Towel from Autopia to finish off the rest). Then I used an Ultimate Detailing Towel to spray on and wipe off the QD. I didn't expect to see this much swirling. Could it be the cover?? Is it something else?

Most importantly, what can I do to fix it, and (hopefully) help ensure it doesn't come back?!

Thanks!

-mike

 

Sadly, my swirls were "dealer installed."

 

My first 2 thoughts:

1. Dirt on the roof or on the car cover... Get that blowing around with the force of the cover pressing down and scratches appear. Maybe a wash of the cover is in order (Liquid Detergent - lots of rinsing)? If you are using QD, this probably isn't the case... you are probably A.R. enough to keep everything spotless. Maybe the inside of the car cover roof panel is dragging on the ground during install/removal?

2. Maybe the swirlmarks were there when you bought the car, but the dealer used a very high-gloss wax on it and you couldn't notice them. After the wash (esp. if it was an agressive detergent like a dishwashing liquid instead of a auto wash - again, using QD you are probably using auto wash) the high-gloss wax was knocked down enough to expose the swirls/scratches.

What to do?

- Was cover as above
- Auto Duster before install of cover - Maybe QD too.
- Check your cleaning towels (properly washed, quality microfiber?)
- Meguiars Scratch X by hand, followed by good wax
- Wax regularly to reduce friction

 

Just noticed your username...

Maybe blowing sand in the area? If that gets under the cover, it may be the culprit. You might be better off without the cover if the scratches weren't "dealer installed" (do you have to pay extra for that option?).

 

Just my opinion, but if your car isn't perfectly clean 24-7, putting on and taking off a cover will leave swirl marks in your paint. A little dirt is ground into the paint everytime you use the cover. Lots of wax might help MINImize the swirl marks from getting to the clear coat, but they will still appear in the wax which will be easier to deal with later on. Sorry, but I'm not a big fan of covers.

 

I was sort of afraid of that answer. I'm beginning to think that while the cover is nice because it keeps the car cleaner for longer after a wash, in the long run it may be causing more trouble than it's worth. :-/

What are the negatives of not having the cover? A constant beating by the sun? I have tinted windows and a sunshade for the times the car is not covered, so I guess that'll help the interior, but what about the exterior paint?

-mike

 

I love the idea of a car cover when you have to park outside. The benefits far outweigh the downsides....but you have discovered one of the downsides, unfortunately.

Type of car cover and installation technique is the key. The Mini clearcoat is ridiculously soft and mars way too easily. On black this is painfully obvious. There are a few tricks that lessen the impact when installing the cover.

I have dealt with I skimmed your post, do you have a shorty antennae or do you remove it when you put on your cover? This will make installation easier. The less jostling on top of the roof the better, naturally. You want to roll the bulk of the cover first across the windshield from mirror to mirror (right to left). My rolling across the glass you are avoiding getting the cover on the paint to start with. Now proceed to roll the cover up the windshield and along the roof. Don't slide or pull. Roll it as much as possible. Then after it slips off the back go back to the windshield and repeat for the front. Then when you take it off you can re-do the rolling part and end up back at the windshield. The windshield is great because you can throw the cover back and forth without worry getting it set up. After a while you will get the routine.

We've covered getting rid of the scratches on several other threads. Be sure to get a quality wax/sealant that is durable. You need long lasting protection. Carnaubas won't help you for very long. Look at lomething like Zaino or Klasse. Periodic quick detailing will keep things clean and help avoid scratching. I would have a California Duster, Microfibers and a QD in my trunk at all times!

 

1. Keeping the car as clean as possible is always good for the paint.

2. If you live near salt water, a regular wash is always a good thing... regardless of how dirty the car looks.

3. Keep a good coat of protectant on your car at all times. This means paint, rubber, leather and plastic.

Paint: I use Zaino. It is a synthetic polymer sealant that can be layered. It has been shown to last longer than most waxes/polymers and is very highly reflective. Others in this forum like Klasse, which is a bit cheaper, I think, and easier to find. Application is supposed to be a bit simpler too... a bonus if you are living in the dorms and have limited space to work in. I give my cars an annual claying/polishing and recoating with Zaino and apply a quick coat of pure Carnuba wax when I feel like it to shine things up a bit. A simpler solution may be Meguiars NXT wax... very good reviews here but not as long lasting. You might have to rewax every 3 months or so with the car outside 27x7 and living near salt water.

Leather: I love the Zaino products. They make a leather cleaner that I've never had a problem with and their leather conditioner smells GREAT!

Plastics/Rubber: You need a product with UV protectants. Again, I turn to Zaino tire treatment for my vinyl and rubber. A lot of folks on this board swear by 303 rubber treatment. I've never tried it.


I'd start by reading this forum... browsing through the topics. There is a huge amount of (slightly unorganized) information here. Some very good stuff.
I'd also check out www.zainostore.com and www.autopia-carcare.com in their 'how to' sections to learn all of the basics.

 

Agranger nailed it all the way. I agree 100%.

I am a Zaino user too they have great products. If you want something long lasting Zaino or Klasse is the ticket. NXT or others will require more frequent re-do's.

I just used the Zaino Leather dressing last night on my Audi S4. It DOES smell soooo nice! I also used their Glass Polish. Removed all the baked on water spots and small mars that were bothering me. Good stuff.

As for the 303 Aerospace protectant, it IS great stuff, but best used for the interior. It has one of the highest UV ratings on the market but since it's water based it's less durable for the exterior. I use it on the interior of all my cars. Nice factory looking satin shine.

 

I QD and Cal dust my CR/B S before I cover it with a Stormshield cover and its nice cotton-like lining inside, so I'm not too worried about scratches. My goal is to keep the nice cotton-like lining as clean as possible so as not to cause scratches.

Mike, now U see the disadvantage of black. It's just a high maintenence color. Jimbo

 

Yeah I have stopped covering it unless I *just* washed it. Want to be safe. And I already knew black has its disadvantages, but HB/B was the color combo that moved me the most, and I figured it's not a big deal to baby the car, I was planning on doing that anyway. Besides, it's all of like a few square inches of paint on the whole car hehe, with the panoramic sunroof there's just so little on the roof, and then the mirrors. It's worth the pain for the look.

-mike

 

i also park at a university parking lot, but it is inside a garage which covers my car in dust. its quite ridiculous actually . Its cause the whole damn thing shakes so much, every time a car hits a speed bump, you can feel it throughout the floor. not cool. hope you can fix your swirl marks