Hard to keep clean?

[patrick49]

That is one of the weirdest things I have seen on this forum. Trying to imagine: "Crystalline", if that doesn't beggar all. Why only there? If it were caused by condensation inside the cabin, there would me more of this gunk on the inside of the other glass. Wondering if it isn't tint that is starting to fail, or in this particular spot it got damaged by heat, or glass cleaner that settled to the top of the window when the hatch was opened for a while, and wasn't properly wiped/cleaned off.

It's so weird, glad I'm not the only one baffled by this one. I didn't notice it when I first picked up the car (that was a whole sh-tshow experience on its own), and I've just never got around to dealing with it since. It has a rough texture, almost sandpaper-y, and some of it flaked off a bit when I rubbed on it lightly. Gonna give it another look sometime this week and see what I can do for it.

 

[Jay Tea]

How about the non-functioning front bumper vents and grill are impossible to clean ... bug-catchers! Why do auto manufacturers think these busy do-dahs are more attractive than a 'clean' / aerodynamic front? I mean, look at what Toyota & Lexus fronts have devolved into.

 

[MerlintheMad]

How about the non-functioning front bumper vents and grill are impossible to clean ... bug-catchers! Why do auto manufacturers think these busy do-dahs are more attractive than a 'clean' / aerodynamic front? I mean, look at what Toyota & Lexus fronts have devolved into.

What are you on about "non functioning" vents/grills? ALL front grills catch bugs, and have since the grill was invented. Spray them out and keep going.

If you're faulting the design of the "brake vents", perhaps you prefer a Tesla: the shape is still there, but sans any grill or trim whatsoever. Ugly as somebody wearing a sock over their head.

 

[Sime]

This is my solution to hard water and water spots. 2 stage water filter and car dryer.

 

[patrick49]

It's so weird, glad I'm not the only one baffled by this one. I didn't notice it when I first picked up the car (that was a whole sh-tshow experience on its own), and I've just never got around to dealing with it since. It has a rough texture, almost sandpaper-y, and some of it flaked off a bit when I rubbed on it lightly. Gonna give it another look sometime this week and see what I can do for it.

Upon closer look, it's on the part of the hatch under the third brake light, not on any glass, so it doesn't have anything to do with the tint. Mystery deepens...

 

[nhcowboy28]

Upon closer look, it's on the part of the hatch under the third brake light, not on any glass, so it doesn't have anything to do with the tint. Mystery deepens...

Careful foolin’ around in the backseat with Whip cream... I mean. Whatever floats your boat. But this is why you can’t have nice things.

 

[Nasscar]

Hard water will leave the deposits on the surface. Microfiber helps but won't eliminate all residue left behind. That's because the minerals (mainly calcium) in hard water are "magnetically" attracted to the surface, i.e. are pulled to the bottom of each water droplet. Even before you dry with a towel, the minerals are stuck to the paint (clearcoat) or trim (or rims; same problem on wheels) or glass. The FIRST priority when cleaning is to get rid of hard water. Some (a lot?) of car washes do not have soft water. It's a losing battle.

Soft water neutralizes that adhesion of particles, allowing them to float in the water droplets rather than stick to the bottom. So a microfiber will wick up the minerals with the water.

That is one of the weirdest things I have seen on this forum. Trying to imagine: "Crystalline", if that doesn't beggar all. Why only there? If it were caused by condensation inside the cabin, there would me more of this gunk on the inside of the other glass. Wondering if it isn't tint that is starting to fail, or in this particular spot it got damaged by heat, or glass cleaner that settled to the top of the window when the hatch was opened for a while, and wasn't properly wiped/cleaned off.

In regards to soft water Merlin, if you only have hardwater available in your area, there’s not really an alternative. I would not know the difference personally.

 

[MerlintheMad]

In regards to soft water Merlin, if you only have hardwater available in your area, there’s not really an alternative. I would not know the difference personally.

We have really hard alkaline water out here. So we have a water softener. I've read that salt based softeners are anathema with washing cars. I don't know. Having a Silky Silver means that swirling won't show up unless really bad. The piano black plastic on the Stinger shows swirls; it's just gloss black paint with clearcoat. And in really hard reflective light I can see some swirling on the piano black after 18 months; but it is rather light swirling. So, if the saline softener we have is causing any issues with swirling, it is happening slowly over time. I know that I have never had any spotting issues with the dark chrome using my method: the chrome is all spot free and doesn't require rubbing, just quick passes with the microfiber drying towel.

I've been reading some more this evening about soft water and washing cars. This product sounds good: OPTIMUM NO RINSE WASH AND SHINE (ONR)

"Directions:

• Add 1 oz to 2 gallons of water in a bucket.
  
  
• Soak a quality Microfiber Towel in the bucket and wash one section at a time till the area is clean.
  
  
• Dry each section with Drying Towel.
  
  
• If surface dries before wiping clean, just wash again and dry.

Note: Excessively dirty surfaces may require a second wash before drying"

I would take my car to a wand hand wash if it is "excessively dirty", then proceed to ONR wash and dry.

On road trips, my big worry is how to get my car clean without resorting to a car wash tunnel (hate those things!) This method sounds good, but if your car gets filthy you still need access to a hose and "schnozzle" if there is no wand hand wash around (I didn't see a single one on my last trip). So far, on the five road trips I've taken, the weather hasn't begrimed my car to the point where this ONR method wouldn't work. One oz. to two gallons of water sounds like a heck of a deal!

 

[Nasscar]

We have really hard alkaline water out here. So we have a water softener. I've read that salt based softeners are anathema with washing cars. I don't know. Having a Silky Silver means that swirling won't show up unless really bad. The piano black plastic on the Stinger shows swirls; it's just gloss black paint with clearcoat. And in really hard reflective light I can see some swirling on the piano black after 18 months; but it is rather light swirling. So, if the saline softener we have is causing any issues with swirling, it is happening slowly over time. I know that I have never had any spotting issues with the dark chrome using my method: the chrome is all spot free and doesn't require rubbing, just quick passes with the microfiber drying towel.

I've been reading some more this evening about soft water and washing cars. This product sounds good: OPTIMUM NO RINSE WASH AND SHINE (ONR)

"Directions:

• Add 1 oz to 2 gallons of water in a bucket.
  
  
• Soak a quality Microfiber Towel in the bucket and wash one section at a time till the area is clean.
  
  
• Dry each section with Drying Towel.
  
  
• If surface dries before wiping clean, just wash again and dry.

Note: Excessively dirty surfaces may require a second wash before drying"

I would take my car to a wand hand wash if it is "excessively dirty", then proceed to ONR wash and dry.

On road trips, my big worry is how to get my car clean without resorting to a car wash tunnel (hate those things!) This method sounds good, but if your car gets filthy you still need access to a hose and "schnozzle" if there is no wand hand wash around (I didn't see a single one on my last trip). So far, on the five road trips I've taken, the weather hasn't begrimed my car to the point where this ONR method wouldn't work. One oz. to two gallons of water sounds like a heck of a deal!

I also haven’t seen any water spots on my dark chrome. I suspect we have soft water in our area. The piano black does swirl so easily though. I do like the idea of the ONR and have heard good things about it. Used to use a similar product until our auto shops stopped carrying it. They don’t carry the ONR either. Have to order on EBay.

 

[westcoastGT]

Any tips for the dark plastic trim along the top the windows and follows back to the hatch glass? The spotting on there looks really bad, even after drying with a microfiber towel.

View attachment 31673

get Megs cleaner wax for all the dark chrome , and use it for any road grease or bird crap etc , best detail product between " Detailing"

 

[Sime]

Or use Tripple3 by Auto Finesse.

 

[patrick49]

Service manager at the dealership was also confused by the weird stuff on the inside of my hatch, they're going to warranty replace the third brake light housing (and also my head unit to fix the audio fader issue). Productive trip to the 'ship.

 

[Bigbikes]

This is my solution to hard water and water spots. 2 stage water filter and car dryer. View attachment 31722

NOW THATS DEDICATION..

 

[Sime]

NOW THATS DEDICATION..

Here’s the rest

 

[AV8R]

Here’s the rest

View attachment 32307

Now are they all in alphabetical order ? Lol

 

[AV8R]

You also forgot the beer fridge for after you have detailed the car and sit there with a cold one appreciating the shine of all your hard work.

 

[Bigbikes]

Here’s the rest

View attachment 32307

Haha love it.

 

[Gtecko]

every time I have washed the car , it's been a workout, ended up burning so much calories... who needs cardio work out when you got a Panthera metal color... that thing will attract any type of dust...
Worst is when it rains and the water drops dry up with dust from the parkade at work... lovely panther spots e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e

 

[MerlintheMad]

every time I have cashed the car, ...

I'm sure you will want to fix that. Just don't double the typo by inserting an "r" in there.

... it's been a workout, ended up burning so much calories... who needs cardio work out when you got a Panthera metal color... that thing will attract any type of dust...
Worst is when it rains and the water drops dry up with dust from the parkade at work... lovely panther spots e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e

Washing is definitely a good workout. There are rainy times when I wash several days in a row and that's when I really notice what a workout it really is. And I'm lucky with a Silky Silver: I don't notice all the spots I miss, I'm sure of that!

The trick to doing this often is to make it fast. I have a half hour car wash routine worked out.

 

[Gtecko]

I'm sure you will want to fix that. Just don't double the typo by inserting an "r" in their.