370Z Purist

microfiber doesn't tend to hold as much water as it should, and it tends to pick up EVERYTHING. even if your hand barely touched the ground and you brush your hand off, chances are good that your high quality microfiber will likely pick it up and make it a b*tch to pick out, or damn near impossible.

my personal system involves using a synthetic chamois (ever heard of "the absorber"? works great) since they don't risk breaking down so much. you could also use a waffle weave microfiber, since those hold more water.

also, you don't need a powered buffer to take out swirls. basic polish wax or polish compound or Meguiar's ultimate compound works fine with some elbow grease. the instant you tell a novice to use an orbital buffer could equal a chance of permanently and immediately damaging the paint or clear coat.

personally, I either use a car wash soap or OPT no rinse. Optimum Polymer Technologies No Rinse is a great formula. Particularly meant to be useful for people without access to tons of running water (no hose, scarce water, apartment, etc.). They are always reformulating and the stuff was phenomenal two years ago, so it could only get better.

anyway, since I do have access to ridiculous amounts of water, I use a car wash soap, and I have a soap bucket and a rinse bucket. I initially wet the car to remove any loose soil using a pressure washer. then I proceed to wipe down with soap. artificial chamois to remove water, as well as using my arm as a squeegee. electric leaf blower to dry any trails/streaks. proceed to clay, wax, polish, etc.

Also, I just noticed this is my 666th post. Bad omens?

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."