Checking your work

rockford33

rockford33

New member
Just curious how you guys check your work on swirl removal. With my new car (regal blue pearl Subaru) I have some swirling. I finally got around to polishing it (using PwC), but it didn't take everything out. Now usually, I wait until the afternoon to wash my car. This is because my townhouse face east, so the driveway is in full sun until the afternoon, when the sun finally passes over the house. I don't want to wash the car in the sun because the water dries so fast on the dark paint. But with the car in the shade, I can't tell if I removed the swirls (they look like little halos around the sun if I pull the car out into the sunshine and look at the reflection). Would any kind of light work to point out areas that I might have missed? It just seems very difficult to corect these type of imperfections while working in the shade because I can't see them. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Neil
 
That's usually why i prefer to work in the sun, so i can see what i'm doing. PwC will also not be strong enough for deep to moderate swirl removal. You probably need something stronger like SSR2.5 or similar.
 
I don't have to check my work for swirls, I did it so i know its done right the first time. Ok kidding aside, The best way is to pull your car into direct sunlight, that will give you your best chance at seeing any swirls. Or if you have access to a highly lit garage.
 
I have a light in my garage that I use. I look at the paint directly in the light and it will usually show the imperfections.
 
usually ill work in my garage and move the car out in the sun to check it for any swirls i didnt get
 
Sunlight has never failed me, however, a Metal Hallide light works well too (they have them at gas stations).
 
In a garage environment: 1000 watt halogens ( except on white in my experience), the Brinkmann xenon spot light mentioned above, 100, 200 and 300 watt incandescents, fluorescents, pull car out into sunlight. For each lighting source, inspect at multiple angles. This can get quite time consuming if you find yourself carried away with it :redface:
 
My main car is white, I get some sunlight on the finish and get down so I'm just a few inches from the surface and look lengthwise across the paint. This shows me just about everything.
 
scrub said:
I've had decent luck with a Xenon light purchased at Lowes.
Click to expand...
This has worked well for me also...Lowe's ( and probably others) sells a 3 million candlepower, pistol grip Xenon flashlight with chargers for both the car's 12 V system and the 120 AC household system and it's about 23 bucks here in Oregon. It is a great light source to have around for all kinds of things and emergencies. I have used it even in sunlight at various angles that light up little flaws even better.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I guess if I am going to be going through the trouble of polishing, having some fresh waterspots shouldn't be any trouble. I know PB's can be used in the sun, and I have most of his line, but I worry with a dark blue car if the paint would get too hot. Anyway, I might try my flourescent drop light next time and get real close and even with the paint. If that doesn't work, I'll try some of the suggestions above. I just don't want to have to drive the car around into the sun or somewhere to see if it polished out nice before I put my LSP on. Thanks to everyone for the tips.
 
To see if your truely removing the swirls or just filling them in, try rubbing some alcohol on a towel across the surface you've finished. The alcohol will remove any filler that is present revealing the true finish. If you still see swirls, keep polishing away. Just a quick test to see whats really happening while polishing.
 
Why not wash in the shade and dry then move to sunlight for polishing .
Checking progress is easy with 50/50 alcohol + distilled water in a spray bottle and and MF towel .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top