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Smearing after washing #1666486
17/07/2023 17:49
17/07/2023 17:49
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,078
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,078
Dorchester
Not really sure which thread to put this on as we don't have a 'just plain weird' category. I often wash my cars on the same day, within a few minutes of each other thus same atmospherics, temperature, products etc. Yet my classic red Brera nearly always smears, my steel grey (silver to all but the pedants) very seldom does.
I know not to wash in brilliant sunlight as this increases the likelyhood, so does the heat/light make a difference? Is red hotter than silver? Does light reflected make a difference? The other thing that occurs to me is it could be something to do with the length of time it's in contact with the car, if it takes longer to run off does it leave a smeary deposit? The coop hasn't got a flat/straight line anywhere (ok the cut outs) but the Brera's not exactly boxy either.
Any ideas?

Re: Smearing after washing [Re: respace] #1666491
17/07/2023 20:00
17/07/2023 20:00
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,921
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
DaveG  Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,921
Lightwater, Surrey
What do you mean by "smear"? Are both cars similar in terms of the "starting" surface, i.e. both recently clay barred, polished, waxed? Hand or MOP-ed? By "classic red" do you mean "flat" (non-metallic) red whereas Coupe is metallic? What products are you using? Two bucket method? Same cleaning method?

I think the Coupe is telling you to get rid of the Brera wink


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
2008 Ferrari F430 & 2017 Fiat 124 Spider
Re: Smearing after washing [Re: respace] #1666497
18/07/2023 06:32
18/07/2023 06:32
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,207
ation
szkom Offline
Club member 2000
szkom  Offline
Club member 2000
Forum is my life

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,207
ation
Are we talking about water marks? Add some rinse aid if we are. It's just the soap/mineral content in the water being left behind as it evaporates

I find something like this useful: Car Shampoo

Re: Smearing after washing [Re: respace] #1666512
18/07/2023 18:38
18/07/2023 18:38
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,078
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,078
Dorchester
Thanks guys, it must be some deposit/residue from the shampoo but why more on one than the other, their starting surface must be similar as i've been using the same products on them for years, both non-metallic paint. We are in a hard, chalky water area which would have more deposits but doesn't explain why one not the other.

I'll try a different shampoo though i've had different ones over years with no real difference, getting rid of a few italian money pits isn't a bad idea, only problem is apart from loads of petrol and tax the Brera hasn't cost me anything whereas the coupe mega bucks.


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