I have seen a very disturbing recent trend
towards a bunch of "wipe and shine" products. Some have pop-up sheets,
others have pads. All bother me.
Why? Because they all assume that you can wipe
off a dirty surface and get the same results as a traditional wash/glaze/wax. The
problem with that, is that you are wiping the dirt across the surface of your vehicle.
The reason you use lots of water and soapy suds when
washing is to provide a liquid layer to float dirt away before it gets
ground into your paint. Some of this damage must occur, it is just impossible to
prevent. You would have to have a perfectly clean new wash mitt and wash solution
for every square inch of the surface of your vehicle to even come close to preventing it. But to take a
"handy wipe" type of wipe and use it on a significant area of your paint is
asking for trouble. Even if used on a car that is only slightly dusty, you are going
to get scratches.
Plus, do you think a throw-away 'one use only'
product is going to have the softest and best cotton cloth for you to use? Why not
take your cars delicate finish and wipe it down with a damp kitchen paper towel with a
little speed shine on it! Not with my paint you don't!
I feel the same way about these wipe products that I
do speed shine products and "waterless" wash/wax products. Even the Erazer
shine I sell. They should be only for the very cleanest surfaces under emergency
situations. Like at a car show and you need to get rid of fingerprints, or the most
extremely fine dust that has settled in the last few minutes before a judge comes your
way.
There are times you have to cheat a bit to
accomplish a mission. A clean car before a big date or show/night out, or some such thing. Also, you
must sometimes compromise your wash/glaze/wax routine in winter weather. As I say,
it is better to get the dirt/salt off and put in a few scratches than to leave the salt
and crud on. BUT, don't use a spray/shine or wipe on a really dirty car......ever!
That is really going to put decades of wear on your paint in one session.
So, continue to use a gentle hand wash with lots of
soapy suds and water whenever possible. Use a speed shine in an emergency.
when to use a "wipe"? I say probably never. Better to use a
speed shine and a soft cotton cloth, you can better control the amount of liquid, and you
have a better cloth.
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