Attacking bad swirls

S

spiroh

New member
What do you guys recommed for attacking bad swirl marks. My car is a 2001, and it just has bad swirl marks. I'm sick of looking at my car like this, and need to do something about it. I do have a PC to work with. What products do you guys recommend, to remove the swirls? I'm looking for best results,



Thanks,



spiro
 
1st - Figure out where they are coming from. Examine your washing technique. Look at how you apply the wax/cleaners that you have been working with. Are you using 100% cotton USA made towels? Are you using MF towels?



2nd - What products do you currently use and how often?



3rd - Now onto dealing with surface:



If you can feel them with your finger nail. You're in for a wet sand or at best, minimize the appearance of scratch.



If you can not feel it with your nail, then I'd jump to:



DACP by Meguiars with a W7000 Cutting Pad. Work it till it becomes almost invisible and wipe clean with a MF towel. Look up DACP with search tool and see what techniques people are using.



Clay



Follow-up with Meguiars No. 9 SMR 2.0 or Swirl Free Polish. Then No. 26.



Or else, goto 3M FCRC (fine cut) with a Cutting pad and work it really well (5min is not uncommon) to break down the abrasives effectly.



Clay



Followed by 3M SMR and No. 26/S100/P21S/Blitz etc.



Don't bother with a dawn wash as the compounds will take care of any residual wax etc. Avoid Zanio/Klasse at this point until you have a finish that you happy with.



We'll be able to help you more once we know what you're approach has been and you comfort level on using a Porter Cable.



Paco
 
I usually use 100% cotton towels, or synthetic lambwool to clean the car. I am using Meguairs soap. For waxing purposes I usually Klasse. I only used my PC once, and I'm still learning with it. What speed should I use with the abrasive products? I already have a good amount of pads from CMA for my PC.



spiro
 
Look up the 2 wash bucket method (or 3).



What type of SMR or paint cleaner's have you used?



For the PC - start at 4 and then work you're way up to 6 after a few minutes. Once you comfortable, some just go straight way with the 6. I personally like to start around 4.5 and let the abrasive level the scratch and then crank it to 6 for the finishing portion.



What's key will be the product/pad combination and you ensuring you work the products long enough to breakdown the abrasive's properly to get the swirl free high gloss finish.



I'd stop with the Klasse until you have your finish in order as Klasse will bring out the look of the scratches even more. Stick with SMR/Wax combo with a glaze if tickles your fancy until you have the finish in a nice condition.



More information would be helpful though. You can almost never post too much information as to how you have been treating the finish. It'll only help us help you more.



Paco
 
spiroh said:
I usually use 100% cotton towels, or synthetic lambwool to clean the car.
Click to expand...
First, I'd ditch the synthetic lambswool mitt and get a genuine sheepskin mitt. At least that way you know what you're getting. Polyester mitts can scratch just like polyester blend towels and cheap, non-domestically made so-called "100% cotton" towels.



Also, what washing and drying techniques are you using? Technique is as important (or more important) than products.



I personally think most scratches/swirls come from either the washing and/or drying phases. Of course waxing and QDing can hurt too if you're not careful...
 
I really dont use any specific motions when I wash my car. I do a panel at a time, then dip itback in the bucket, and start on the other panel. I use an absorber to dry the car up.



spiro
 
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