Help with Swirl marks

B

BlackBenz2

New member
Hey i just bought a 2001 Benz c240 and the paint has some swirl marks and scratches but be cause its black they show up a lot. I used meguiars 3 step system and the scratches weren't that noticeable but you can see them when you get up close. Hopefully someone can help me on this one. Thanks
 
Welcome to Autopia! I think you'll find that there is a wealth of knowledge here that will help you on your quest for the ideal finish on your Benz.



I'm assuming since you used the Meg's three-step system that you did it all by hand. If that's the case, then it's not too surprising that scratches still remain. To help reduce/eliminate the deeper defects you'll need a machine (like the Porter Cable 7424 or Ultimate Detailing Machine). MB clear tends to be pretty hard, so getting scratches and heavy swirls out can take some effort. The 2001 MB you have may be prior to the "cerami-clear" finish that MB currently uses, but even if it isn't you'll still need a reasonably strong combo to remove the heavier defects. Most folks will likely recommend the Menzerna line of polishes (Super Intensive Polish and Nano Polish).



Ultimately, the amount of effort you'll put in to remove defects is up to you. Does you car need to pass the 10 ft. rule? Five foot rule? Or do you want o be on top of it and see a flawless finish? Remember most people don't even notice swirls (except for us Autopians), so decide on a level that you're happy with and work towards it.



Good luck!
 
Thanks from me too. There's so much info here on so many products, it's difficult for a beginner. I've been hoping there would be a thread like "So, you just bought a black car. Here's a list of recommended OTC products to get started with that are safe and noob-proof. If that doesn't satisfy your shine lust, try this or this or this from these web sites."



Gonna be pretty hard because everyone has their own opinion!
 
Stonecipher said:
Gonna be pretty hard because everyone has their own opinion!
Click to expand...



Exactly! It's definitely a process of trial and error, so you may need to take some time to find what combination yields the best results for you. If it makes your neighbor jealous, then all the better. Spend some time with the search function under the "Click and Brag" section and look for black cars. Most people list their process, so you can take a look at the results and evaluate from there.



Have fun!
 
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