I'm new to this forum, and I'm very excited to have a place to discuss my RX-8! I'm also a new owner and it's cool to see that everyone is as crazy about their cars as I am! Being a female, you can't always trust who you ask at your local detailer or garage.
I just purchased my brother's '04 RX-8 and I'm totally in love! So now that it's mine I notice every little thing....and I'm disgusted that after going to a local car wash that there were still water spots and long water trail residues on my car after they were done. What can be done to avoid this? Do I need to find another war wash?

Also, i just noticed a scuff on the lower rear portion of the car behind the passenger side rear tire....not sure how it happened, but now I'm freaking out. Is this something a body shop can sand out in a day, or is it going to take something more extensive? I just want my new car to look its best at all times, and I'm becoming quite obsessive about it.

BTW, my car is Winning Blue Metallic.
Thanks for your help!

 

On the car wash, don't they have a spot free rinse. Most do if I was you I'd find another wash if that one does not.

Depending on how bad the scuff is you can use scratch remover wax.

And Welcome to the club.

 

Welcome

You should wash the car yourself as it is much safer than a local car wash.

There are lots of tips to keeping the car clean and looking great. check this place out: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/

 

There are several areas that I've found that retain water after washing, causing water streaks. One is the side fender vents. The holes in the vents act like little pockets and hold water. Second are the side mirrors. Third are the rear half windows. And last is under the rear spoiler. After washing I usually open the rear windows, open the trunk and hood and even the doors and let any excess water shed off. Then I use a air compressor to blow the water out of the fender vents and the side mirrors as well as around the back windows. With the air hose in one hand and my microfiber towel in another it's a good system for getting water out of those hard to reach places. I'm virtually streak-free now.

 

I was assuming she was using the wand type for a quick wash/rinse.

 

Thank you all so much for your hints and tips! I think I am going to start washing my car myself...or getting it professionally detailed every couple of weeks. I hate when people don't take the same time and care in washing my car as I do! I guess if you want it done right you have to do it yourself.

The scuff is about 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch. It's pretty deep into the paint and the material of the car. Would that scratch remover wax still work?

Thanks again!

 

Yeah you should wash the car on your own, **** always happens it could be minor scratch or worse they might shoot your cooler if they are not careful with pressure wash. The best way to avoid streak is to wash your car on an incline, don't spray the water but rather let it flow off the car and you can be sure to get nice streak free.

 

This isn't a club, it is a cult (and welcome to it!)

If you have the time and resources, a do it yourself wash can be just as good as a detailer. Microfiber towels and detail spray are the standard approach to water spots. The autopia site listed earlier will answer all the questions you have about keeping your car beautiful.

When you say your scuff is deep, is the paint scraped away or is there something adhering to the paint surface? Sometimes a scuff is just some of the material from some object that has been transfered to the surface of your paint, like a shoe scuff on a floor. If that's the case, try a mild abrasive like Megueirs Scratch-X and some elbow grease. This only works for minor surface imperfections but its pretty safe for the paint so there's no downside to trying it.

If your scuff has actually scrapped the paint away, then you'll need to get it repainted. That size is probably too big for a do it yourself touch-up paint job. You should have a body shop or detailer look at it.

Good luck. Your clean car will thank you.