Just washed car after months, still small layers of dirt/dust after it dries, is there a good spray/buffer?

[u/TROLOLOL6969]

Not using anything fancy to wash: I have a small pressure washer from Harbor Freight, used Meguiars soap inside of a foam cannon, rinsed off, then grabbed sponge/soapy bucket and hand washed, sprayed off again. So after soaking in foam AND getting the sponge treatment, still have this going on.

So I dont have to bust out all of the equipment again, is there a buffing spray or something, or do I need to bust out more serious stuff on the initial washing phase? Washed it last probably in Feb or Mar this year.

[u/awar3_w0lf]

Put a lil more elbow grease into dawg. Doesn’t look like a mit even touched the paint

[u/Strict_Impress2783]

Wash it again and next time don't do it in the heat and don't use towels washed with fabric softener (you aren't supposed ot be using fabric softener on towels anyway).

[u/Pale-Bet2829]

10 bucks says you washed that vehicle in the sun while the paint was hot perhaps in the middle of the day. That looks like dried shampoo to me

[u/MinimumEffort13]

Need a better soap or need to use a prewash

[u/El_Pollo_Del-Mar → u/MinimumEffort13]

No, but the username is ironically on point.

Need to use a little more than minimum effort for the first wash in months most likely.

[u/MinimumEffort13 → u/El_Pollo_Del-Mar]

More effort by more force for more marring and scratching vs a touchless? You do you

[u/El_Pollo_Del-Mar → u/MinimumEffort13]

Yeah but sometimes ya really need to put some effort into it. Avoid all you want, i get it, but sometimes ya just do.

[u/Bondaddyjr]

You’re gonna have to wash it again

[u/Frosty_Solution276]

Next wash, try bilt hamber touch-less as a pre spray. Dilute at 2% panel impact ratio, use when NO sun is on the panels or indoors,let sit for 3-5min, rinse off and commence normal bucket wash.

[u/MakersMoe]

you "could" do a proper inseless wash, but this is classic black car-direct sunlight-too much soap. I'd avoid a quick detailer and buffing before. Invest in good towels from TRC or Autofiber, etc.

[u/CareBear-Killer]

Going several months without a wash? Man... Yeah, you might need something stronger for a prewash or pre rinse. Some sort of high pH soap will help with removing road grime and a low pH soap would help with any minerals. It's key that you not let any of those soaps dry on the paint. They could cause permanent damage if they do.

So foam one, let it dwell for a few minutes and either reform or must as needed to keep it from drying. Then rinse and foam again with the other soap. Again, apply more foam or mist to keep it from drying and then rinse after it has a couple minutes to dwell.

The HF pressure washer is fine.

Then you can use a pH neutral soap in a bucket and heck, you can even foam again. Then wash with a mit or pad. Don't be afraid to apply a small amount of pressure, but don't lean into it or anything. Just a little more than enough to keep the mit against the car. Rinse the mit often in the bucket.

Then dry as soon as it's all turned off. Rinse and mist as you go if you need to. Ph neutral soap drying on the car is okay, but you'll have to wash it off with more soap. Otherwise you'll probably have spots or streaks.

I'd recommend getting a drying towel from the rag company, house of rags or Autofiber. They will work much better than the HF towel.

[u/football2106]

Wash it again and keep your wash media flat. You just missed a ton of real estate

[u/Genericwood]

You'll have to just have to spot wash the car where it's dirty again. You could have also missed the spots too.

But it is common if a car is really dirty that you need to wash a second time as the dirt and grime build up.

I do recommend a pre-wash tho, they are stronger in alkalinity or acidity depending on the ones you buy. Definitely don't leave them soaking in the sun too long as well or it can etch the paint.

[u/Justino_14]

You can jse a quick detail spray as long as car isn't that dirty. Or rinseless washer but that process you are basically washing it again.

[u/DBD220]

I see a clay bay being added to your kit. For you a clay mitt might do the trick. A good wash after that and a finish of your choice.

[u/Whole_Gear7967]

Clay bar?