Best way to remove swirl marks on car

[bds0688 10+ year member]

I don't want some magic chemical that works without any kind of work, since they usually don't work. I'd like to know compounds to use, polishers, what steps to take, etc.

I want to get my black car black again. I don't necessarily want to see a perfect reflection, but the swirls have got to go. Whoever owned the car before I bought it, could not take care of cars' paint very well. The clear-coat is goig bad on the back quarter and bumper.

What brand of chemicals should I look into? Any particular favorites for polishers? Thanks.

Click to read more...

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

If it is pretty bad, then I forsee a new paint job in the near future.

I have 2 black cars myself and they are a pita to keep clean and get all the marks out. Hell I just spent 4 hours hand waxing my 1 year old Focus ST and still have little fine marks I cant get out.

I do recommend zymol as that seemed to work best for wax, but if you want to get some swirls out and small scratches out, I recommend color magic I think its called by Meguiars. Gonna pick up some myslelf soon.

 

[Safe-N-Sound215 10+ year member]

http://autopia.org/forum/ check it out. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Edit: Better yet here

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/80225-polishing-paint-perfection.html

 

[bds0688 10+ year member]

It's an escort, new paint job isn't worth it. The body is solid, as is the frame, but the car isn't worth what a paint job I'd want. I don't want a Maaco job, so I'll save the money for a better car. :/

I'll look into the Color Magic and Zymol. Do you use orbital or rotary polishers at all?

 

[bds0688 10+ year member]

http://autopia.org/forum/ check it out. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif
Edit: Better yet here

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/80225-polishing-paint-perfection.html

Bookmark'd. Thank you, and thank you too, Bigbang.

 

[Silver 10+ year member]

Use colorX

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Np

All I know is this will probably be the last black cars I own. I am getting a silver one next time. Shit never shows dust, or marks and is easy to clean.

 

[cpierce 5,000+ posts]

Black paint + Zaino = teh ***

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Yeah, I heard zaino is nice.

I recently used the Meguairs NXT shit and is pretty nice. I would recommend it. But is the first wax I have used since zymol and dont seem to compare.

 

[cpierce 5,000+ posts]

NXT makes the paint look great but isn't really good for protecting it

 

[jjski78 10+ year member]

Get yourself a Porter Cable 7424 DA Polisher. A set of good polishing pads, you're gonna need at least 3 of them in different density. One cutting pad, a polishing pad, and a finishing pad. You may want to get 2 polishing pads since those are your workhorse pads.

Then for chemicals, you'll more than likely need:

A good wash soap...Meguiars Gold Class is fine, but any CAR WASH soap will do, I stress this because dish liquid is made for dishes, not cars, and can actually make your swirls worse.

A Clay Bar Kit...They're basically all the same, I use Clay Magic because it tends to be cheaper, and they manufacture all the other clay bars anyways.

Polish...Go to http://www.optimumcarcare.com and get their polish. It works as a compound, a polish, and a finishing polish, depending on what pad you use it with.

Paint Prep...I use Jeffs Werkstatt products on my personal vehicles, and on customer's cars. http://www.jeffswerkstatt.com Get a bottle of their Prime.

Wax/Sealant...I don't use carnauba wax on anything but show cars because it just doesn't last long enough. Again, I use Jeffs Werkstatt, get a bottle of Acrylic Jett Trigger spray on sealant. Stuff goes a long way..so don't use too much, and it beads water for up to 6 MONTHS!! And shines like a mofo.

Wax...If you really feel the need for a carnauba wax to give the car the added depth, you can top the Acrylic Jett Trigger after it cures for 24 hours with a pure Carnauba wax, no CLEANER WAX!! I would recommend S100 or even Jeffs Werkstatt Carnauba Jett. But remember, Carnauba only last a week or 2.

Microfiber towels, get a bunch!!!! Terry cloth works well, but MF is sooo much better and a little gentler on your paint.

Microfiber or Chenile Wash Mitt..Absolute neccessity!!!

Drying..I use the Absorber. A lot of guys use waffle weave MF towels, but the Absorber has never done me wrong.

How to do it...

1: Wash car. Do it one section at a time, start at the top, and work your way down.

2: Final rinse. Take your nozzle off the hose, and just flood the car, if you do this, most of the water will sheet off and it will make drying easier.

3: Dry..well, I think this is self explanatory.

4: Clay bar, follow the directions on the box.

5: Polish, bust out the Porter Cable, and I would start with a polishing pad. Spray the pad with a spritz of the clay lube, put some polish on it, smear it around the area you're working (I would recommend a 2x2 foot area at a time) Turn the polisher on a speed setting of around 5, and polish until the stuff starts to clear. The buff off with a MF towel. Repeat until the whole car meets your standards. If the polishing pad doesn't get the job done, move up to the cutting pad. Always start with the less agressive pad. If you need to use the cutting pad, you also have to follow up with the polishing pad because the cutting pad will leave a hazy appearance.

6: Wash it again, then dry.

7: Paint prep, again with the Porter Cable, put on a finishing pad, spritz with clay lube, and the put on the Werkstatt prime. Polish it into the paint, on the whole car. No need to do this in sections. Let it cure for 30 minutes, then buff off with a MF towel.

8: Sealant, by hand, using a MF towel, spray a SMALL AMOUNT of Acrylic Jett Trigger on the paint, one section at a time, spread it out in a very thin layer, almost invisible, with the towel, then turn it to the dry side and buff out, repeat for the entire vehicle. Do this twice to ensure complete coverage.

9: Wax, if you feel the need (I don't), wait for the Acrylic Jett to cure for 24 hours, then top with your carnauba wax of choice. Again, I recommend S100 or Carnauba Jett.

10: Stand back, and admire your car.

Hope this helps you out. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

Edit: Don't do this in direct sunlight. Shade is your friend.

 

[Jameseypoo 5,000+ posts]

 

[jjski78 10+ year member]

He said remove swirls..not remove all his paint.

 

[Jameseypoo 5,000+ posts]

oh

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

bummer