Swirl Marks (for the umpteenth time)

R

Robert O

New member
Like many other black cars out there, I've got a problem with swirl marks that I would LIKE to get rid of myself. However, it appears to me my best method of attack is SMR and a PC RA. That's expensive to just get rid of swirl marks ($300 canadian). Any other means by hand?



Wanna keep my Zaino, but gotta get rid of the swirls.



Also, carpet cleaning - is the Turtle Wax carpet cleaner in a can any good? Or should I get some Woolite and mix it with water?
 
Welp, iive heard some good stuff about the 3m III stuff that just came out. If you got big shoulders and arms, you will get one hell of a workout doing it by hand :LOLOL



If you can spring for a PC, i highly recommend it.



You could also just hide the swirls with glazing and save your arms, but covering stuff up and knowing its still there bugs me.
 
That and I use Zaino. It's just springing $300 for a PC is steep when I can't even use it in the application and removal of my Zaino. I can always use it on parents car or something. I dunno.
 
I've made back the cost of my PC a dozen times over since I got it. It saves me soooooo much time and lets me do more cars in a day. Swirl removal is best done with a machine. It is possible to do it by hand but you would have to be built like a tank. It takes a lot of shoulder strength and time to remove swirls by hand. Expect it to take you a couple days if you try doing it that way. Sometimes even getting swirls out with a machine can take a few hours. A PC may be pricey but so was your car. $300 bucks is probably not much of a percentage of your car and is a worthwhile investment to keep your car looking nice. Good luck with those swirls. :xyxthumbs
 
Ok, I'll buy one. What model should I look for (there are two that I can see from my research). To all canadians: Where is the cheapest place to buy one from? also, what kind of swirl remover is best? I suppose I'll want a list of least abrasive to most abrasive. Where does SMR fit into the picture?



And what about cleaning carpets! My black mats are light grey!
 
The PC 7424 is the one I use so its the only one I can really speak about. From the other people I've talked to who have used both the 7424 and the 7336 I would say the 7424 is the one to look for.



As for carpets... I love Prestone foaming carpet cleaner. I haven't come across many carpet problems that Prestone can't get out. Look for the red can with the brush on top. Only get the Prestone one. There are a couple look alikes out there that suck. Prestone is the best.



About your swirl remover question too. There really is no 'best' swirl remover. Only what is best for your swirls. That is tough to perscribe without seeing the car. There isn't a list out there either. I've been trying to get one put together but it has been a long process. There really isn't a top ten list for swirl removers ranked by abrasives. You can go to Meguiar's website and see their products and how they stack up against each other. That is about as close as you can get to a list though. SMR isn't very high on the list anyway. It is probably a 3 on a scale of 1 - 10. It has more fillers than anything else. Check out Meguiar's site and see if you can find a product that looks like it will work. I don't know if 3M lists thiers like that but you could check there too.
 
You can get Prestone at Target. Do you have those? KMart carries it too. It should be available where you get your car care supplies at. Its not a hard to find product.
 
Canadian Tire has a line of Prestone products but not the carpet cleaner. We don't have Target's here, and to be honest I'm not sure what a good car car supplie place IS in Ottawa. I've gotten most of my stuff except for the Zaino from Canadian Tire.
 
Okay Jngr, I've got this one. :D (No KMarts or Targets as far as I know.)



Hi Konowl, where are you located?



The Superstore used to carry the Prestone cleaner (but it's a seasonal item), and Home Hardware probably has it or can get it for you. I have not seen it anywhere else. You may also want to read about a product called Folex which is quickly gaining popularity and is pretty easy to find up here.



For the PC I personally suggest the model 7336 since it's got a heavier counterweight. You'll still have to source a backing pad and a selection of pads though. It might be more cost effective to just order a kit from CMA. I or some other members may know of a good place to buy the PC itself once we know where you are...



Oh yeah, also Simoniz Canada has almost nothing to do with Simoniz USA as far as I know. Some of their products are re-labelled Blue Coral products. Like the Dri-Clean cleaner, which I've seen exactly one person here ever mention, but he likes it.
 
For carpets, go to London Drugs, if you're in Western Canada, and get some Folex. I tried it based on someone's recommendation here, and hands down, it's the best and easiest carpet cleaner I have ever used. It took out a 5 year old red wine stain on my living room carpet that I thought was here to stay. And no scrubbing either.



Edit: Oops, just saw that you are in Ottawa. Go to their website and email them for a retailer. You won't be sorry.



Folex
 
I'm a slow typer. :p



Okay, so you're in Ottawa... hmm maybe ask zilla (do a search for "ottawa") where he got his PC. Or you could phone around at power tool stores, some Home Hardwares, or even building supply stores (where I got mine). Canadian Tire sells the 7424 model and unfortunately you missed a sale on this item a few weeks ago... You should try to shoot for a price of about $175 (or less now with our dollar up? :D). After taxes, pads and such you're looking at $300 like you said.



Zellers sells a few interesting products, like 303 protectant and Turtle Wax MF cloths. :up Canadian Tire is starting to sell some good stuff too. Simoniz is now carrying a pair of MF mitts/wash mitts if you're interested. Some stores even decide to stock some products from Meguiar's Pro line, like #9 swirl remover (check around).



EDIT: Damn, TWO posts since I started typing! :(
 
LOL, after doing a bit more research, I dunno anymore. I dont' want to ahve to polish often because of the Zaino factor - what a ***** to rewax!



CURSE BLACK CARS AND THEIR BEAUTY!
 
Brian

Silver 1992 Nissan Maxima 4DSC - AIO, 6xSG, #26, S100... looking for the sun...

The Definitive PC Accessorizing Thread The Relative Abrasiveness of 3M stuff thread
Click to expand...

Have you read those two threads from Brian's sig? They'll be helpful if you go with a PC and polish/SMR



LOL, after doing a bit more research, I dunno anymore. I dont' want to ahve to polish often because of the Zaino factor
Click to expand...

I'm certainly no expert about polishing!! But I think the idea here is: (1) get rid of swirls/scratches, then (2) apply good protectant (and I certainly vote for Zaino), then (3) care for your car in a way that does not create more swirls. Clearcoat is pretty darn thin, so I don't think polishing should be a routine part of your car care. Correct me if I've misstated this, you polishing experts.
 
Lynn: Yeah, but it's difficult to spend $300 to get out a few swirls, when I've never actually USED one before. I do have a "practice" car, however, and might be able to make some money on the side (my black car already has a great shine to it, discarding the swirls would just add to it).



On the carpet cleaning front, went to a local Home Hardware - they didnt' have the Prestone Carpet Cleaner, but they DID have this "Folex" stuff, might give that a go.
 
Coastal Tool has a page that explains the Porter Cable model differences. They are a small comanay (under ten people) and may ship across the border.



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Ok, back to the carpet cleaning... :)

Folex would be better as a spot remover, right? Because I want to do my ENTIRE carpet. Also, what about the upholstery?
 
I think Folex can be used on the whole interior. Just run a search for "folex" and see what people are using it on. Usually if HH doesn't have something on the shelf they can bring it in for you if you ask.



I forgot to mention they also carry Plexus, which is supposed to be very good stuff too.
 
Ok, I went out today to buy a Shop Vac, Turtle Wax Upholerstry Cleaner, Folex to do the carpets, and a brush. Let's see how this all works out! :)



As to the Porter Cable, the Canadian Tire on Terry Fox had zip that I could see (those in Ottawa know of where I speak), also Home Depot had jack that I could see (I hate Home Depot. The parking lot was full, I had to park across the road, and holy christ it's too big! Took me forever to find the goddamn power tools).
 
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