Best method!

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DopeCelicaGT

New member
Whats the best method for removing light swirls, from beginning to finish, what works the best. I have been using some 3M products for quite awhile and all they do, at least what I have been using is hiding the swirls not getting rid of them! So like what products do u guys recommend for washing, claying, paint cleaning, swirl removal, polish, and then wax, Oh and I want this to last as long as possible, thanks!! Oh and the products I have been using as a final coat of wax is 3M Finish Restorer which says it will tak out wet sanding marks up to 1500 grit and leave a nice waxed finish behind however my swirls or marks seem to always come back, oh and I have been removing this by hand as well, could that be the difference?



Justin
 
I do believe that you will find the answer here. Most of your questions may be answered just by clicking the 'learn' button at the top of the page. That will take you into the awe inspiring world of the articles. Oooohhh.. Ahhhh! :D





BTW... Are you doing this by hand?? If so then you should probably stop. Removing swirls by hand requires quite a bit of practice. And if you are using a product designed to remove 1500 grit sanding marks by hand on "light swirls" then you are using something far too abrasive. Something like Meguiar's #9 or 3M's Swirl Mark Remover might be more appropriate to the task.
 
Wait a minute..... you've been using 3M Finish Restorer, but your swirls keep coming back? :confused:



Finish Restorer is abrasive and if you keep using it (rubbing it in I hope) it should slowly reduce your swirling if not take them off outright the first time. How's your washing technique? I just hope you're actually not creating more swirls.
 
Yeah I have been using finish restorer LOL actually 2 or 3 times I think and they keep coming back!! My washing techniques should be good let me give u the run down! First thing you should know is that I always wash my mitts and towels after every car wash!! Ok now for the washing deal, I spray my tires down with Bleach White First every time I wash, let soak for like 30 seconds, then I take a cotton terry cloth towel and wipe them off, then I spray them off!! Ok next I hose of the entire car first with jet stream, then I take th nozzle off and just let the water roll down the car. Now I take my bucket and my upper body wash mitt and with soap and water mixed in the bucket I dip my wash mitt and wash/rinse each body panel seperately, cleaning or hosing out my mitt after each panel, when I do the entire top half of the car I move towards the bottom, except now I switch mitts, now I clean my lower ground effects outside part ( part u can see) only, then hose all that off, next I take another wash mitt and wash the underside of the groundeffect front and rear bumpers, then I wash my wheels with this same mitt, planning on getting new wheels soon then I will have seperate mitt for that, then I clean my fenderwells, next I rinse entire car off again just letting the water glide down the car, then I dry using the absorber. Next I open the hatch and all doors and wipe excess water out with a towel! Then dress the tires when done and clean windows if needed. Thats my washing method! The funny thing is last winter when I first got the car I had no swirls and was drying with used 100% cotton towels( when I say used I mean not new), then I got the Absorber cause everyone says its so great and all well thats when I started noticing these scratches after I got the absorber!! Oh and one more thing the finish restorer seems to get rid of the swirls but only for a few days, plus u should also know that I use the finish restorer by hand! It says it is a wax as well is this true? Thanks for your help! Oh and how abrasive is finish restorer? Maybe I have been creating morswirls with that? Please help! Thanks!!



Justin
 
Erm.... thanks, but I just needed some key details related to possibly causing swirling. ;) By the way, you left out what kind of mitts you are using?



It might be the Absorber if you're dragging it a lot, or pressing down on it, or dust manages to settle on the car by the time you use it.... can't think of others right now.



Are working in the Finish Restorer or just laying it on gently? I've never used the stuff myself and I don't know if it contains any fillers or not, but it's supposed to be stronger than something like a swirl remover and provide a bit of protection at the same time (probably not much). As far as I know, Finish Restorer (this stuff you have is old, right?) has been replaced in name by Medium Oxidation Remover Wax. There are some very good threads floating around talking about both in more detail.
 
Hmmmm cool but I have like I said used this like at least 2 times in the last year maybe 3 which means I have taken a lot of clear off my car this year, I always wondered why after the first time I used this stuff my car didnt seem to have as much depth, now this explains it!! Oh and I just applied it like wax cause honestly I thought it was just like a filler not an actual remover!! So how much clear have I managed to take off is the question and the next one is what to do now?
 
Please don't thread bump, especially if it's only been a short time since you replied. Not everyone can or is able to help you in a hour. Lots of people read the forum only once or twice a day so someone probably would've chimed in by then. Just be patient. :up



If you just gently lay on Finish Restorer without rubbing it in or working it, it's doubtful that you removed very much paint at all, which may very well be the reason why your swirls are returning, but I am not certain. Your next step will be to use that product as it was meant to be used - like a swirl remover, polish, compound, etc. That is, work it in thoroughtly with some pressure.



You still didn't tell me what kind of mitt you're using you know.... ;)
 
My application is not so bad as the swirls are not too bad.



3M PIII-MG, Mez-FP and Zaino. I use a PC with a white pad at first, then switch to the grey for final polish.



Really bad swirls I use DACP as it cleans and polishes!



If waxing, I still use Megs DACP, #9, SFP and #3 and or #7. Then wax.



Since I use Zaino, I have to wash with Dawn after polish to remove oils/silicones. Then follow with Z7.



I dry my SC430 with a waffel weave AND a CWB. Great device that CWB! The waffel doesn't need to be wringed out.



You can see my SC430 here: Deanski SC430





Good luck!



Regards,

Deanski
 
Wait a sec. I understand the using of Zaino but um why even polish and then wash with Dawn in order to use the Zaino it seems to me like it would be a waste of time to polish then wash with Dawn cause wouldnt that just take off all the polish u used?



Justin
 
You are trying to bring a paint finish to a high gloss by polishing. Once your done polishing, and you wash with Dawn, you are just removing oils/silicones. You could go to Z7 instead as it will remove light amounts of oils prior to Zaino. You will not effect the finish after polishing with the only exception being any product that fills swirls (several SMR's), yes those would be effected by a high alkaline wash as it could remove the "fillers" from the swirls/scratch. Polish completes the prep work by abrasives suspended in a petroleum distillate (oil or silicone binder) to make the finish glossy. Once done, oils have to be stripped from the finish prior to Zaino so Zaino can bond to the finish. It will still be nice and glossy, maybe not quite as brilliant once oils are gone, but still glossy. I use Z7 right after Dawn to remove any remaining oils and to make sure if any film left by the Dawn wash are also stripped off prior to Zaino.



I dry, mix my ZFX/Z5 and start applying.



Yes it's more steps, but this insures that I have a good bond and Zaino has time to cure to the finish properly.



If you're in doubt, call Sal Zaino in the morining 8:30-11:00AM EST for any real tuff problems or question, but most are answered by the website application and tips/tricks. You can also see Nick's tips as well here:



Nick’s unsolicited Zaino Tips & Tricks



Have a nice day!



Regards,

Deanski
 
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