If the finish is too reflective for you taste, you may want to try a natural carnuaba wax instead of a synthetic.

 

That's what I am using now. The problem I have is before it's waxed, right after polishing. The glare off the paint is just too reflective. I see much more using my low wattage incandescent light vs natural sunlight.

The only problem is, that I just don't have enough indoor lighting. After all my work, I went out last night (already waxed it) and found a lot of small micro scratches that I missed. Granted, I'm probably the only one that will ever notice them (the light has to be at the right angle and you have to **** your head just the right way) and after normal washing and drying they'll probably come back anyway; but it's still annoying.

I think with the proper lighting to focus on an area, I could really be more effective. Depending on where I park my car influences how effective the lighting will be. I think I need to get something on a stand that I can move around the car.

Although paint blemishes drive my crazy, it's even worse when you start finding stuff under the clear coat that is a result of the paint job. It's amazing how intimate you can get with your paint when you start polishing and looking for things.

 

With regards to your brake rust deal, what I usually do is after washing and drying the car, I take it for a quick spin where I get some stops in and brake fairly hard to get all the crap off them. Then I pull it back into the garage and wipe down any of the water that came out of all the cracks as well. Works for me... And since I claybar before I wax, dont have to worry about the finish being dirty when you apply the wax.

 

i hate driving my car after its clean as well haha

 

You could try orange/yellow lens glasses. What you want is something to cut down the glare but still have the benefit of the natural light. I use these type of glasses when buffing outside, for the same simple reason. Looking at a reflection of the sun all day is painful and probably quite damaging to your eyes.

As with paint blemishes I know exactly what you mean. I had my car resprayed in a custom colour. It wasnt a super expensive showcar job, but it certainly wasnt a cheapy either. When I got it back and went about removing all the holograms, from the de nibbing process at the painters, I started to see many flaws in the paint work that I will never be able to correct. But like you say, its stuff that 99% of people will never even notice.

 

Those tires are shinin

 

Dog, your ride looks great. Part of them problem with the surface oxidation (I hate to say "rust" when speaking about our cars) on the rotors is that we (Florida boys/girls) have to deal with a much higher humidity than those in other parts of the country. Basically bare steel (brake rotors) will begin to oxidize immediately after the last application (cleaning) by the brake pistons. Not to worry, our cars were meant to be driven and I'm sure that when your hauling it back down from 160 plus you will find they clean up nicely.

I almost called you yesterday, I had the perfect Tampa day. Came over for a conference.....

 

I think from now on, I'll just take it for a quick spin after washing and before drying to squee gee it down. I will say that driving slowly with the brakes applied lightly cleans them up too. Problem is that you end up with a pile of brake dust and rust all over your wheels. Best bet here is prevention.

I think I may just go and pick up a leaf blower. Less contact with the paint when drying and I can blow the calipers dry.


You should have called me. I would have bought you a beer

 

I try not to think about it too much, no matter how clean it is it will eventually get dirty, and the point of cleaning your car is so its blinging when u take it out...its a loose loose situation, count it for the expense of ownership/driving

my .02

hairline swirls bother me the most

 

And I would have bought you a lap dance! Yep, we even made it to Mons!

 

Wow, thanks for rubbing it in. Sounds like you had a good trip to Tampa

 

Looks great Andrew! I hated driving after a wash as well...