[Mister Fusion]

I have tons of micro scratches on the hood and I have no idea where they came from.
I use microfiber towels to dry and only water pressure to clean.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove these or what could of caused them?

 

[confusion]

[quote author=Mister Fusion link=topic=42998.msg633956#msg633956 date=1143414404]
I have tons of micro scratches on the hood and I have no idea where they came from.
I use microfiber towels to dry and only water pressure to clean.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove these or what could of caused them?
[/quote]

Most likely the Micro fiber towels are the culprit to you scratching. Although they are really soft your still using a dry towel on a wet surface. I would suggest changing over to a synthetic Chamois and use it wet but wrung out damp. As for taking care of you current scratches a good POLISH not a wax will take those out. Remember a polish will moisturize the clear and a wax will seal the surface, wax only after you polish the finish first. I've always used Zymol for polishing and there is a secret to get good results out of that stuff, after you apply zymol to an area and let it sit for a couple of minutes, use another polish applicator and dampen it with water, wring it out some and go over the poished area to remove the polish haze and then use a micro fiber polishing cloth to buff the damp area to a dry shine. This action will eliminate shadowing and provide a more uniformed appearance. Follow up with your wax of choice to seal everything in and expect to repeat this process every 3 months.

If you sprung for the dealer applied paint sealant you were had. There is no treatment that will perminently protect your paint, it just a program provided by the dealeship so they can make some money, as a paint supplier I recommend you save your money.

 

[scribsac]

[quote author=confusion link=topic=42998.msg634158#msg634158 date=1143424773]
I would suggest changing over to a synthetic Chamois and use it wet but wrung out damp.[/quote]

Hey, thanks for calling my attention to using a chamois to dry off my car. I was using a beach towel and it was leaving fuzz EVERYWHERE. But a small $8 chamois from Wal-Mart dried my whole car and didn't leave a drip or a fuzz. Sweet.

 

[shadowfall1976]

I use the Absorber, the one in the tube to dry my cars.

 

[captainhook]

I always use the chamois, but will go over the car with a water blade first. Is that a bad thing?

 

[confusion]

[quote author=captainhook link=topic=42998.msg703075#msg703075 date=1146826468]
I always use the chamois, but will go over the car with a water blade first. Is that a bad thing?
[/quote]

No, water blades are fine as long as they are stored away clean and rinsed off again before use. I use and air compressor and blast the water off first myself, those taillights seem to continually drip water out long after your finished don't they?

 

[captainhook]

No dripping from the taillights. Another benefit to the Milan..... :lol: (just kidding - not provoking a three page debate - just humor)

Actually, I will get the constant drip from the headlights.

When I use the water blade I always clean and dampen it prior to it touching the car.

 

[shadowfall1976]

that damn grille aggrevates me on the Fusion, it holds so much water it's not funny, especially the bottom one,
but I still love it. no problem with the taillights holding water, but alot in the doors, but I do wipe out my door
jambs, hood & trunk areas too. I too have use the blade a few times, works fine.

 

[confusion]

Nooooooooo, don't start that again.

 

[shadowfall1976]

what???? , start what???, talking about what holds water on my car?

 

[captainhook]

If I had a Fusion the chrome grill and water spots would probably be the death of me.

Not having the fog lights on mine, I have found the plastic inserts hold a lot of water.

 

[shadowfall1976]

I really don't have an issue with the grille, only when I wash it trying to get the water dried up.
I polish the chrome with the rest of the car, and it don't spot, at least for me. and my fog lights
are fine too, no holding water or anything, I have always polished aluminum & the plome parts on
all my prior cars and never had a moments issue with fading or water spots.

I guess though it's all in how you learn to take care of your car, you use bad products and don't
keep it up, your car turns to shit, but if you learn as you go, like I did and probably most of you
out there on here do or have done, you can keep the car looking like new for a very long tme.
I'm pretty sure everyone here takes damn good care of their cars, and I have heard some good
suggestions about car care from some people.

hope your car stays looking clean & new captian, I hate it when mine is dirty.
but no, so far after three months and winter, no problems with the grille yet.

 

[SoCalFusion]

[quote author=Mister Fusion link=topic=42998.msg633956#msg633956 date=1143414404]
I have tons of micro scratches on the hood and I have no idea where they came from.
I use microfiber towels to dry and only water pressure to clean.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove these or what could of caused them?
[/quote]
Do you mean you only use water on your car, no soap??
If so, that could be causing your scratching (not getting ALL the dirt off)
The soap acts as a lubricant on your cars surface and assures you of getting all the dirt off, if you're not using a good car wash soap you should

 

[bbf2530]

[quote author=Mister Fusion link=topic=42998.msg633956#msg633956 date=1143414404]
I have tons of micro scratches on the hood and I have no idea where they came from.
I use microfiber towels to dry and only water pressure to clean.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove these or what could of caused them?
[/quote]

  Hi Mister Fusion.  As SoCalFusiion stated, you need to use a good liquid auto soap, made for car finishes, to properly clean your car.  If you are only using water pressure to clean your car, you are leaving a lot of abrasive dirt (which you can not readily see) on your cars finish, and then rubbing it around and into your paint when you dry it with the microfiber towel.  This is causing the scratches you are seeing.
  To get rid of those scratches, you will need to wash your car thoroughly (with a good car wash soap), then use a good scratch and swirl remover to buff them out, then a good polish (a true polish, not an all in one cleaner polish).  Then wax.  As far as brands, I prefer Meguiar's, but Mother's, Zaino, etc. are also good quality products.
  Here is a good web address to get many handy car care tips:  www.autopia-carcare.com
Click on the "Detailing How-To" in the left column, and read away for great advice on all kinds of detailing info. 
It has great advice on all kinds of car care problems.  You can also go to the Meguiar's website www.meguiars.com for good car care tips and product ideas.
Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

PS - I am new to the forum, so please forgive me if these links have been posted previously.  Just trying to be helpful.

 

[Mister Fusion]

It's nice to see that this topic has been resurrected. Thanks for the replies but I shouldn't have been so vague with my initial concern.

Back when I "had" a Fusion I would spray on car wash liquid and rinse. I originally meant that I would not touch the Fusion unless it was going through the drying process. I used many products including Scratch-X to erase the webbing but all of them appeared to be crap. I do agree with using Chamois instead of microfiber; it does pick up well. Anyhow I never did get rid of the mirroring effect and ended up selling the car. I'm either considering a new Fusion AWD or a Camry SE. :shock:

 

[bbf2530]

  Hi Mister Fusion.  You weren't vague, I pretty well understood what you were saying in your first post.  The same advice goes as before.  Please go to one of the two sites I left links for, and look over the car cleaning and detailing information they have there, it is excellent.
  You cannot just spray on a car wash liquid and rinse.  You will always get the same result as before.  You need to do it the old fashioned way.  A bucket of very soapy water, a good lambs wool car wash mitt (purists will recommend a second bucket of clean water to rinse the mitt in between applications to the car), and some elbow grease.  You need to touch the car and suds it up good with a quality mitt to clean it.  If you just spray on the soap, and rinse it off, you are leaving all kinds of grit and dirt that you are then rubbing in during the drying process.
  I would make the analogy of you just getting into the shower, spraying some soap onto yourself, rinsing off, and saying you are clean.  Might be okay for a quick one once in a while, but eventually, we all have to scrub the gunk off  :lol:.  Well, the big difference is, if you don't clean yourself well, and dry yourself with a towel, you won't scratch your skin too badly.  But you will scratch your paint if you don't get the dirt off, and then rub it around wth a towel, chamois or whatever else you dry the car with.
  I haven't used Meguiar's Scratch-X. But have used their "Clearcoat Scratch and Swirl Remover", with good results. Either way, you need to use a good quality scratch and swirl remover, from a company such as Meguiars, Mothers, etc.
  Seriously, go to either www.meguiars.com or the other site I linked, and read up.  You will be amazed at the difference when you properly clean your car.  Otherwise, you will wind up with the same result with your new car  Cleaning a car properly is an involved process, and shortcuts don't work well, especially if you care about your cars appearance, which you obviously do. 
  Good luck  .

 

[Mister Fusion]

Those are exceptionally valid points.  I have to agree with using an abrasive motion to get rid of imbedded contaminants.  Although others will agree that the same motion will cause some form of damage to the paint as well.  Thats why I generally use a high pressure wash. At any rate, I will definitely try using the old fashioned method in the future and compare results.  Thanks for the feedback.