Tracers taunt me

Chrono

Chrono

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I hope I'm using the term correctly, tracers, being the fine lines and scratches that can follow a towel wipe on a clean panel. This phenomenon is driving me mad. This is supposed to BE my therapy, not the reason I NEED therapy! (sound familiar?)

This is occurring mostly as I do a panel wipe down with a QD (on a clean panel) or a waterless wash on a slightly dirty panel. The other occurrence is when I wipe polish or wax away while I'm inspecting the paint.

Seems the obvious cure is a CLEAN towel, but I use a LOT of towels and I fold them in 4's such that the edges are tucked in.

For reference, products include PBW Spray & Wipe, Zymol QD, 15% IPA, spray waxes, CG soaps, ONR detailer, and no cheap MFTs - they are good PBW towels, and an AG competitor's house brand towels.

Anyway, any advice on this?
 
so you apply wax or sealant and after it hazes you spray QD and wipe it with the towel and that's when you notice the scratches? (not sure the exact term, if there is an exact term lol) Seems odd and strange, plus your saying they are quality Mf Towels (Panels are cleaned to as I understood you said)

pressure and speed during wipe is what comes to mind or maybe they were already there you just never noticed them? As in hazing... :dunno:

Hopefully someone else can help you out...
 
Sounds like you have soft paint

What is the vehicle and color of paint?

What is the make of towels you are using?
 
"Seems the obvious cure is a CLEAN towel, but I use a LOT of towels and I fold them in 4's such that the edges are tucked in."

Not sure what you mean?

Are you saying you use a CLEAN towel each time and flip to a clean side often?

Or are you saying you use too many towels, so you can't always use a clean one?
 
Looks like maybe "Tracers" was not the right term. :doh:

Evan.J said:
Sounds like you have soft paint

What is the vehicle and color of paint?

What is the make of towels you are using?
Click to expand...

The vehicles have ranged from dark blue, black, and dark red. I don't notice it on light blue and silver. Acura, Nissan, Porsche, VW, and all 4 Japanese motorcycle brands. I do know that the Kawasaki paint is very soft. The day I bought it, I pointed to a defect on it and the salesman wiped it with his hand and said "there's nothing there" while making it worse! He just saw "clean and shiny" but I saw the defect. Thanks Menzerna.

The towels, as described, are Poor Boy's World and Detailed Image's house brand.

When drying, even if there's liquid on the paint, is it important to have the towel primed with something?

allenk4 said:
"Seems the obvious cure is a CLEAN towel, but I use a LOT of towels and I fold them in 4's such that the edges are tucked in."

Not sure what you mean?

Are you saying you use a CLEAN towel each time and flip to a clean side often?

Or are you saying you use too many towels, so you can't always use a clean one?
Click to expand...

Clean towels, folded properly. I was trying to say that A) the towels aren't dirty and 2) that the edges are folded in so they shouldn't be the issue.
 
"When drying, even if there's liquid on the paint, is it important to have the towel primed with something?"

Depends on who you ask.

Many on the forum use something like a detail spray or spray wax when drying. Do a quick Forum search for "Drying Aids".

Some don't even touch their paint when drying and use an electric leaf blower or a Metro MasterBlaster
 
Thanks allenk4, your posts are always great.

I may start using my leaf blower. I'm like that FireStarter girl in the movie, except I cause scratches to appear, and I'm a boy.
 
In a way, I've experienced this issue.

Clean towels, new towels, constant flipping and changing out. Only my issue is after polishing.

No matter what, ONR, QD, other lubricant, I see these swipe marks.

Exactly like your OP, it's supposed to DE-stress not STRESS!
 
TrolleyVW said:
In a way, I've experienced this issue.

Clean towels, new towels, constant flipping and changing out. Only my issue is after polishing.

No matter what, ONR, QD, other lubricant, I see these swipe marks.

Exactly like your OP, it's supposed to DE-stress not STRESS!
Click to expand...
Swipe Marks +1! Good term. Me too. I'm polishing this weekend, and sure enough it happens; however, what looks like a scratch is often just where the towel has picked up some polishing dust and dragged it across the paint. Not ideal, but not a scratch.


I tried the CD scratch test and everything can scratch. Having media between the towel and the surface is an obvious huge benefit.
 
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