swirls & scratches -- removal by hand

C

chris0626

New member
First let me say I know there's lots of info in Autopia and David's guide about scratch/swirl removal. I've been reading for quite a while, and have spent much of today using the search engine, but so far I haven't been able to find my question addressed. What I'm seeking here is confirmation or correction to my plans for dealing with swirl marks and scratches.



I'm going to leave the office early today and take advantage of the weather to tackle my '93 champagne-colored Benz which -- alas and alack -- has never really been detailed. Before my discovery of Autopia and Jaguar clubs, I felt supremely righteous because I took her frequently (especially in winter) thru a touchless carwash. The paint is what you'd kindly describe as "neglected." And now that I look at it with an Autopian's eye, I see there are lots of swirls and fine scratches -- ones subtle enough that you have to look for them, but now they're makin' me crazy! I also know the paint is heavily contaminated/oxidized.



So I plan to give her a good Dawn wash and Mothers clay (which I used with great success on the Jag). Then I believe I need to do a scratch/swirl treatment. The scratches and swirls are all over the car. And I'll be doing it by hand. (Until I can practice under a pro's guidance, I'm not about to use a machine. :eek: )



So, finally, here's the question: What to use for the scratches and swirls in a hand-application? I've located Meguiar's #9 SMR at an auto store here. The Meguiar's site, though, says I can just use ScratchX. (Could that possibly be true?) Many Autopians talk about 3M SMR, but I don't know name/label to look for. I'm not inclined to go for DACP unless these gentler methods fail. And -- because these defects are bugging the heck outta me and the weather is nice today and tomorrow -- I'd like to use something that I can purchase locally.



Eventually, I'll start layering on the Zaino (I'm using Z2/ZFX on the white Jag); but this weekend, depending on the weather, I'll probably just have to apply carnuba as protection til it gets warm again. (I don't have a garage, so I'll just have to grab little warm-weather windows of opportunity.)



Thanks for any recommendations/warnings. And apologies for the length of this, but I wanted to try to provide the relevant info.
 
3M Swirl Mark Remover for Light Colored Cars.



If you can't find it, Meguiars #9 version 2.0 is an excellent substitute, and with its 2.0 formulation should be fine for a Zaino application if washed before applied. It is paint shop safe and I've found it to be pretty good to use by hand.
 
Lynn said:
.... And I'll be doing it by hand. (Until I can practice under a pro's guidance, I'm not about to use a machine. :eek: )
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Have you considered a PC? Very easy to learn and safe.
 
I have used both Scratch X and Meguiars #9 by hand. I had better luck using the scratch X. Then I bought a PC. Everyone should try to remove swirls by hand at least once. Then you will understand why we like a PC.
 
Thanks, all!



So, mrdetailer, 3M SMR is really a brand name?! Do I feel dumb!!! [insert sound of me whacking head!]



Yeah, 4DSC & rightlane, of course I've considered a PC. I LOVE POWER TOOLS!! I do hope to hook up with a veteran to experiment, though, to be sure I feel comfortable with it. No doubt, this'll eventually be yet another way for me to spend the children's inheritance. :D



So, now I'm heading out to look for 3M SMR or -- as a fallback -- #9. This time, I'll be sure to take before/after pix.



Thanks again!
 
I would use 3M "perfect it" swirl mark remover for light colored cars (#39009). It is mild, but should be able to buff out some of your swirling.



It will be a workout using it by hand, and I strongly recommend using an orbital. Anyhow, do one panel at a time (small sections). Use medium pressure, and back and forth strokes. When the product starts to dry on the paint, use a clean towel to buff off the excess. When you are finished with the car, wash with dawn to remove oils so you can inspect your results carefully. You might need a second coat on some spots.



When you are satisifed go on to Zaino. I suggest starting with a few coats of Z5 to fill in any marring or swirls that you could not get out by hand........



Good luck!
 
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I was -- as usual -- overly optimistic about how much I could accomplish this weekend -- especially since the first item on the "honey-do" list was pouring a new driveway apron. Took ALL DAY Saturday. So started the car on Sunday and only got as far as wash and clay before the temp dropped so low the clay felt too hard (even though I held it under my sweatshirt while lubing/wiping-off) and I was afraid of scratching. Now our highs are in the 30s, so I'm hoping for a warmup over Thanksgiving.



Anyway ... some other posts about 3M SMR (which I found and bought here) have me very nervous about applying by hand. One Autopian mentioned that it takes at least 2-3 mins per section when using a PC. Yikes! Ah well ... I'll experiment on some not-too-obvious sections before launching into it fullscale.



(And, yes, I took some wonderfully ugly "before" pix.)
 
Not to discourage you too much, but on a neglected finish, SMR by hand probably won't give you results even close to those you desire. I found that out through experience with a new car that had only dealer installed swirls. I've used the PC with pretty good success. Combined with Z5, I feel that my finish is probably in the 98 percentile range. I'd really like to get a high speed but I'm struggling over whether the benefits will be worth the additional risk.



In other words, get a PC:p.
 
Sorry to tell you this, but you know, after re-reading your post again I'm inclined to agree with Gatorfan that SMR by hand probably won't be enough. For a car almost 10 years old with noticable swirling and "neglected" status, I'd opt for something stronger like DACP or a fine cut compound. I've found that SMR by hand on an even moderately swirled car is a ton of work for very little gain. Also, you said the paint has oxidation. Unless it's very light, the SMR won't do much for that either.



That darn black car that laughed at my SMRing is what pushed me into PC-land....
 
I am going to PC my dark metallic blue finish for the first time. Is 3m for dark colors the best choice? One years worth of improper washing swirls, nothing major.
 
4DSC said:
Sorry to tell you this, but you know, after re-reading your post again I'm inclined to agree with Gatorfan that SMR by hand probably won't be enough.
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Gotcha! I think I'll just try a little #7 to give short-term cover-up for now. And I've started seriously reading the posts here about the various PCs and attachments, figuring I can write my letter to Santa this weekend. ;) Then, come springtime and warm weather, I'll give the swirls and scratches the real attention they demand.
 
You have made a wise choice. Buffers really bring out the depth in the paint as well as removing swirls. There are simply a number of things that are extremely difficult by hand yet easy with a PC.
 
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