WebToker

Ever since I got my car I have done my best to prevent swirl marks. The color of my car is red and I see tiny swirl marks when the sun hits the car at the right angle. Since the search is disabled I figured I would just ask. What is the best way to fix this? Also what is the best way to prevent this?

WiLd~CL~TYPS-@SS

i have little swirl marks on my cilver cl-s..i use very soft towels to wipe my car everytime i washed my car. I have the 3M scratch remover..and it helps a lot to remove the swirl marks..hand wash your car as much as possible..dont use the high pressure car wash..

just my 0.2

4pumpedCL

Zaino will work to a certain extent, but the only way to completely get ride of them is an orbital buffer.

WebToker

Do you have any recomendations on brand and/or type?

Scooter

3M #39009...it's harsh on the clearcoat, so as soon as yer done, Dawn wash and start Zaino'ing!!

MikeS 18

Scooter is correct. You want to buy the SMR for DARK cars. It can be found at places like Pep Boys.

soopa

if you have the light swirls i imagine you have... same as i had all over my red baby...

you can easily just hide them with a couple coats of zaino. id rather do that then "sand" them out.

if you do choose to get rid of them... dont start with 3m #39009... it is a bit harsh for light swirls... check out a super fine details polish or something.

autopia-carcare.com has some good products and lots of tips.

i like some of the polishes Griots Garage makes... and they sell some awesome pads for the random orbital polisher they also sell. so check them out if your gonna go that route..


but like I said... a few coats of Zaino could prolly easily hide the swirls you have.

gto2050

I just hafta accept them. Mine is black and it is impossible not to have swirls in a black car.

Scooter

don't give up

if the Zaino doesn't work well enough, like in my case, go with the 3M, just don't press hard...the abrasive effect won't b bad...the harder u press, i'd imagine the harsher the abrasive...props to Adam for the heads up!!

i went through a WHOLE bottle of Z5, and my swirlies are still kickin...i've had people examine my equipment, and the equipment is fine (it was my old equipment that i've done away with which caused the swirlies in the first place)...for me, i think the only answer is the 3M...just to b sure, i wanna wait til i have people like Ernie, Mercury, and Zapata around to give critique on whether i'm doing OK, or if i'm totally ruining the paint!!

gto2050

So.... do I get to see for myself on May 18th?

dmcconnell

If one does not have experience with an orbital buffer/polisher, it is VERY easy to burn through the paint. I would suggest a less expensive and easier to use "random orbital polisher/buffer" which one can purchase at Pep Boys etc. They do a great job, are cheaper, and will NOT burn the paint. Experience is a great teacher.

Nicky Pass

3M + High Speed Buffer = no more swirls.

Scooter

no doubt

i just ordered the 3M this afternoon, so it should b here in about 1-2 weeks...all i know is that i'm running out of weeks to prep the car...im totally out of Z5, im running on fumes with Z7, im down to half a bottle of Z2, im putting on Meguiar's Gold Class leather cleaner/conditioner 2 or 3 coats at a time to soften up the leather as fast as possible...im debating on the interior mods...i have plenty of Meguiar's Gold Class Endurance for the tires, so no worries there...can u tell i'm taking this meet seriously?? all i can tell u is watch out Shawn, this Red Rocket's gonna steal the show!! LOL

MikeS 18

Okay girly men, here is the deal - and I have black so it is a bitch.

GTO - you're a woose. Get some SMR and get to it. I am swirless - it ain't that hard.

If you want to start with something less abrasive, then go with a Pinnacle Paint Cleanser Lotion - it is quite non abrasive - but I think you might end up having to go with the SMR in the end.

Do not use a high speed device UNLESS it is a random orbital polisher like the Porter Cable 7336SP - can be bought from National Tool for about $110(yes, PullT that's shipped!) or from Lowes for about $5-10 more. Using this is easy and you really can't screw it up unless you drop the thing on the hood. If you need help - go to Meguairs web site and view the video.

One of the keys with the 3M SMR - and the reason the Porter Cable helps a lot is that you have to use a little and let the polish breakdown - as it breaks down it becomes less abrasive and reduces the hazing/scratching that it does - then use the Pinnacle or a Zaino like polish and you should be good to go.

death_angel2001

uhm dood 7336 is Variable Speed Random-Orbit Sander...... r u sure?
6" Variable Speed Random Orbit Polisher, Model #7424 from www.portercable.com

so anyway, what can u do with em? can u put on wax ect...? are they really easy n safe?

MikeS 18

uhm dood - the 7336 is basically the same device as the 7424 - get either one...I got the 7336. For detailed discussions on this go to autopia.com

They are "random" with an offset weight in them so they don't rub the same area over and over again - they are easy to use even though they "wobble" a bit. You can apply polish, wax, abrasives in no time and them wipe them off with a microfibre towel or a microfiber bonnet for the PC.

death_angel2001

ok 7424 is same but has polish disk? can i get that sep if i get 7336? ill have to check it out, that seems easer than doin it by hand. thanx.

MikeS 18

Huh? I don't know ebonics...What do you mean?