Swirl mark/fine scratch remover???

[ANDYS87]

I just washed my car today, and when I view the paint from certain angles, I can see some very fine swirl marks and fine scratches. They are very faint, but I'd like them gone. I probably need a product more aggressive than a cleaner wax....but not too aggressive! I don't want to create more scratches or remove paint! Do you guys recommend anything? Thanks

 

[323GTX]

Meguiars #9.

By hand or with orbital polisher.

Top off with wax.

 

[Paul Clark]

Regardless of how you remove them, they were probably created when you washed the car. You get dirt on the wash rag and it stratches the paint when you rub it around.
I don't know much, but I've been pretty "focused" on this subject lately.
Contact me off list for my humble suggestions if you'd like.
Swirls suck.

 

[HellOnWheels]

Paul,

I'm always interested in better ways to wash/polish my car so why not share your experiences with us.

Thanks,

 

[Paul Clark]

This might belong on the Show Car & Restoration Forum??
The simple fact is that anything that doesn't just glide over the paint/clear coat will scratch it. That could be dirt in the wash water/wash rag, or an abrasive in the product being rubbed/buffed on - or in the cloth or bonnet/pad doing the rubbing.
I'm not associated with any company, and there are many on this list who know tons more than I do, but I did learn a lot of things by going here and watching the online instructional videos.
http://www.adamspolishes.com/index.cfm
The fact that the detailer spray works great and smells like bubblegum is a bonus.

 

[Gary Wells]

http://www.autopia.org/

& Maguierer's Quick Detailer is one of the best detail sprays out there on the current market.
Adams does have 1 of the best Leather Rubber Vinyl cream though.
Microfiber towels are a must for wiping down a car.
I prefer a good glaze over a wax, but for protection's sake, you are supposed to use both. HTH

 

[Dabigguy]

This may keep those annoying swirls out of your paint once you get them out. Dirt settles in the bottom of your wash bucket. When you drop your wash cloth in the bucket to rinse, the dirt at the bottom of the bucket goes back onto the rag and scratches your paint. Also, change your wash water several times. That keeps the water cleaner. I've got a big, black Expedition and I change the water
4-5 times !!!

You may be able to make or find something like this for a little cheaper.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/site/product.cfm?id=81275C7D-C182-4727-BD4A1D96F14F71F9

 

[Boston GN]

Here's a copy and paste of what I posted in another thread about my current combination:

My favorite combo right now is this:

Start with Poorboys polishes. Not sure how bad your swirls are but start off with SSR1 on a green pad, if that doesn't do it, move to SSR2 if not 2.5 on a green pad. You last resort is moving up in pads. Move up in product strength first. Orange cutting pad as the last/most abbrasive. You want to use the least abbrassive combo that gets the job done.

My next step after swirls are gone or minimized is to use Clearkotes Red Moose machine glaze. This adds a ton richness to black IMO.
I use a black/grey finishing pad for this

Then I top with my fav carnuba or sealant. Right now I'm a huge fan of Finish Kare's Pink Wax. I applied this with a black finishing pad. Took me no time to do the entire car.

I keep this combo up between washes with Finish Kare's #425 quick detailer. This stuff is AWESOME
Of course, everything is removed with microfiber towels.

http://www.fk1usa.com/
http://www.poorboysworld.com/
http://www.clearkote.com/


Best of luck!




I also second Gary's recommendation on going to Autopia.

 

[John Larkin]

Where are they green, orange or black pads from?

 

[lyonsd]

What about the ever-popular Zaino?

 

[Boston GN]

Where are they green, orange or black pads from?

The pads I use are Sonus pads, but here is another type of pad that uses a similar "color coding"

http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=29307

 

[87GNX_CLONE]

Ugly Marks....

I Use 3m Hand Glaze And Wipe Off With Cheese Cloth And Takes Off All Marks And Also Makes YouR Black Paint Look Darker...this Product Will Ware Off So YoU Will Have To Reapply After Washing.....

 

[aminga]

Meguiars #9.

By hand or with orbital polisher.

Top off with wax.

#9's not really agressive enough to remove swirls.


Try #83 followed by #80 and topcoated with either NXT or #21

See the following article.

ttp://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2965

 

[Boston GN]

I Use 3m Hand Glaze And Wipe Off With Cheese Cloth And Takes Off All Marks And Also Makes YouR Black Paint Look Darker...this Product Will Ware Off So YoU Will Have To Reapply After Washing.....

You have to reapply because any glazes are fillers, they don't remove swirls. Polishes remove the imperfections.
Glazes do a great job of masking imperfections and certain ones on black look absolutely fabulous. Top a glaze with a sealant or carnuba and it will last a lot longer.

I also agree with Aminga and to use #83 DACP. It does tend to dust a little, but it works great. I do, however, prefer Poorboys SSR 2.5 though.

 

[Gary Wells]

You have to reapply because any glazes are fillers, they don't remove swirls. Polishes remove the imperfections.
Glazes do a great job of masking imperfections and certain ones on black look absolutely fabulous. Top a glaze with a sealant or carnuba and it will last a lot longer. I also agree with Aminga and to use #83 DACP. It does tend to dust a little, but it works great. I do, however, prefer Poorboys SSR 2.5 though.

----------------------------

You have to reapply because any glazes are fillers, they don't remove swirls. Polishes remove the imperfections.......... .

This statement might be somewhat misleading regarding some glazes. Some glazes do/can remove cobwebbing & so forth. Some glazes contain a type of petroleum abrasive, and it might be light enough to be not considered an abrasive, yet it is still capable of removing cobwebs and so forth. California Car Cover sells an "Omega Glaze" that contains something that will remove very minor scratches. Meguirer's # 9, also will remove cobwebbing & so forth, depending on whether hand or orbital application & how many applications. Some glazes do only fill and some fill and remove minor imperfections.

 

[2112]

Has anyone tried any of the clay bars? Will they help get rid of swirl marks or do they just enhance the color? TIA.

 

[aminga]

Has anyone tried any of the clay bars? Will they help get rid of swirl marks or do they just enhance the color? TIA.

All a clay bar does is remove bonded surface contaminants.

See this if you have a random orbit buffer

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2965

Or this if you don't

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7011

 

[323GTX]

#9's not really agressive enough to remove swirls.

http://meguiars.com/?pro-cleaner-polishs/Swirl-Remover