Hello everyone, been following this site for months, and have decided to hop on board. I got a black 6mt g35 about 3 weeks ago, and decided to wash and cg it this weekend. I bought the microfiber towels, mine were an 80/20 split. Anyway, I washed the car with the towels, and when I finished there were small hairline scratches all over the car. This was never an issue when I used a new sponge on my Forest Green Tahoe. Anyway, after I stopped crying, I decided to continue on with the CG. I wet the car, applied CG all over, wiped very lightly, sprayed it down, and then started drying with another micro towel. It looked horrible, it water spotted like crazy. Anyway, I ended up running it through a touchless carwash to clean up all the spots. Now 3 days later I do not see a difference in the shine, plus if I stand in the right places now, I have those lovely scratches. What did I do wrong?

 

1. When you wash-- use a SPONGE!!! Not microfiber towels. They are for drying/detailing. Unless you're using the CG wash, you need to use a sponge. What car wash did you use?

2. When usind CG, I'll clue you into the preferred method-- DRY your car after you wash it. Then get one spray bottle of purified water, and the CG spray bottle. First, spray a pane with the water, then spray a few shots of CG on it. Gently spread it with your microfiber towel, then move on to the next body panel. Once you've done three or so, you'll notice the first is starting to haze up. Buff that out, then the second, then the third (this allows them time to dry out a bit and bond). Continue this process, and your car will shine like never before... did you spray CG all over it, then wash it off, then dry?

G




2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

Yeah GeoBau, I sprayed the car with CG(entire car), and then went back to wipe it off. There did not appear to be any haze. I could have swore I read on here before to wash with microfiber towel. Anyway, I'm hoping if I get the CG application correct, the fine scratches witll not be noticeable. Is that where the fine scratches came from, the microfiber? Also should I dry it with a shammy or microfiber towel?

 

This is what I do-- it may not necessarily be the best possible way, but it's kept my car looking like this.

Before I do anything, I spray Simple Green (undiluted) onto my wheels and use a hose to spray off the majority of the grime. I then spray more Simple Green and wipe them clean. This is step 1 for me-- keeps the panels around the wheels from getting dirty. Then the wash...

First, I make sure the car is cool to the touch, and it's not in direct sunlight. Then:

1. Spray down the car with a hose, try to get as much grunge and dirt off as possible.
2. Use car wash soap and a sponge to clean one panel at a time, very thoroughly, and then spray it down to wash away the soap. ONE panel at a time, from the top down. Don't let the soap sit there and dry.
3. Once I've cleaned the entire car, I claybar certain spots like the bumper that receive lots of road grime, bird crap, bugs, etc.
4. Spray down the entire car intermittantly to make sure I don't get water spots during this process.
5. Finally, spray off the excess lube from claybar, and dry the car with microfiber towels, starting at the roof and working down. I then use a leafblower to get the water out of the grille, doorhandles, seals, etc. and then wipe the residue up with microfiber towels.

6. The CG process-
Take one spray bottle of water, and liberally spray a panel. Spray CG on the panel- as few as 1-2 sprays, or as much as you want. Spray a new microfiber towel with water, and use it to spread the CG/water mixture on the panel. Once it is covered, I move to the next panel and do the same. Then one more.

By this time, the first panel looks hazed, as if it's slowly drying and spotting. I then use the same towel to gently wipe again, then dry it with a different towel. Repeat for all panels. This should leave you with a very nice shine if done correctly...


Don't try to wash it with the microfiber towels unless you're using the CG WASH, not just the spray you're using. Always use a clean sponge. Good luck, give it another try...

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

I liked some of your suggestions and will use some, like the sprayer with the destilled water and doing one panel at a time. It makes sense to me. I though it was weird when the instructional video says to spray the whole car. . But what about drying with the "absorber" or "big blue". I've always liked the "absorber" and used it with good results. Also, I don't understand why you steer him away from the micro fiber for washing (when it's soapy, the smoothest), but you recommend it for drying when it's not as smooth. It seems like everybody recommend micro fiber for washing.

 

Microfiber cloths trap debris very well, and holds on to it. The downside to using it for washing is that if you get some crud stuck in it, it's going to make the trip over the rest of your car. Sponges tend to loosen dirt well without picking all of it up, and it's also pretty easy just to soak up a lot of soapy water and squeeze it out onto the car, then go and push the dirt off. I just steer clear of them during the cleaning process, since they do pick up debris.

A microfiber cloth, when wet, can be very good to clearing bugs/etc. off of an already-CG'd car. When dry, it can be extremely good at drying and buffing. If you use it during the wash with good results, keep going, I just find it easier with a sponge. I've not used the absorber or Big Blue... I've seen one, but I just use a large microfiber towel; works well for me. Best of luck with your wash,

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

Interesting.

After Washing the car, I like to wet the microfiber towel and squeeze the water out of it FIRST. Then i'll use it to spread the CG. I do this because as you said, when it is dry, it is too good at absorbing, so thats why i get it slightly wet (not soaked). This also makes good as lube. hehe

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c 6MT DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust

 

Yeah, that's why in my CG steps, the first one is "spray a microfiber towel with water". Makes the spreading a lot easier... Those things are great at absorbing... sometimes too great!

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

I do the same thing as Rambo, applying the CG with a wet microfiber towel.

1. Wash with 1st microfiber.
2. Rinse.
3. Spray on CG to whole car when wet.
4. Rub with wet 2nd microfiber.
5. Dry with 3rd microfiber.

If areas dry out too quickly (hot day) I use the 2nd (wet) microfiber towel to rewet the area and then dry with 3rd. So far, it looks as good as the 3-step process I used on my show cars; perhaps it's better since it takes 1/4 the time. I have no swirls and the paint looks a mile deep.

Nothing touches my car except microfiber towels.


03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat

 

what's CG?

 

Crystal Guard! One of our sponsors!!!

2003.5 G35C BL/GR, NAV, PREM, AERO, TINT, SPORT, Valentine 1

 

I've done mine by washing/drying, then using the spray bottle with water and CG per panel. I didnt see any haze form after I spread the CG. So I'm not certain if I got the full CG effect. What do you guys thing?

 

Looking good-- don't make those cars in the background too jealous [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

The modified process works great!

Cleaned car then clayed the areas required, then sprayed ditilled water (no mineral content ot spot) then used a 3:1 mix of CG quick and runbbed in with microfiber. Let dry to haze. Used microfiber to buff out

Much better than the manufacterer recommends.

Please not that this process will definately fill and hid sirls etc!!!!!!! Very inpressed. Now I will see how long it takes.

Feel like a major adict now, did two coats today and boy does it look good. Not going to post pics as it is a non-modded and stock units and looks as good as the other black ones here.

Have a healthy day!
93 J30t, Black on Black (sold as of 9/10)
03.5 G35, Black on Black