Swirl marks....

[Stylesa]

So.... it was a lovely sunny weekend up here and it only highlighted the imperfections on my car :xmad: :xfurious: . There are swirl marks and some abrasions that i havent seen before. i cant help but get frustrated about them. worst of all they are evenly distributed round the panels. I know its far from a new car, bla bla bla, but i just wish they werent there!

Its hard to descirbe the level of these imperfections without the aid of a high quality camera (which i dont own).

I am toying with the idea of a respray (with front and rear bumpers being done regardless), but before i shell out the pennies, i'd like to know what i could do to try and rectify these as best i can, :xhelp: I have seen some dramatic results from a full detail using a machine polisher. Can a machine polisher help remove these imperfections as long as they are not too deep (which they dont appear to be), or is there more to the process than that?

I could maybe get access to a polisher, so if it could have a big impact, i may not bother with the full spray. :-k

 

[PooM]

I would get a full detail by a professional valeter before forking out on a respray, swirl marks are normally curable with a bit of specialist polish.

As for machine polishing it yourself, I would stay away from that, as there is a certain technique that needs to be learned, otherwise you could just create more swirl marks if not used properly.

 

[steveitr]

Wont need a respray mate, as above machine polish and/or detail will sort it :wink:

 

[Stylesa]

I would get a full detail by a professional valeter before forking out on a respray, swirl marks are normally curable with a bit of specialist polish.

As for machine polishing it yourself, I would stay away from that, as there is a certain technique that needs to be learned, otherwise you could just create more swirl marks if not used properly.

Full details by professional up my way is almost as expensive as a respray.

But if you buy an orbital polisher rather than a rotary polisher, isnt it much easier to do a better job?

 

[PooM]

Really? The guy I use (http://www.idealvaleting.com) does a full detail which takes 24/30hrs, which includes everything! He makes sure everything is spot because he is picky like that! That only costs about £500...

Full respray done properly your looking at around £1500 at least!

I went for the basic detail package, which was £180. He spent 6hrs on the car, including ph neutral wash, clay bar, machine polish, wax and protection.

Are you sure there is nothing about your area that is suitably priced?

 

[CaLi]

If its just swirl marks then they are easy to get rid of even by hand.

depending how bad, your looking at the below products, all these are listed are from Meguiars but I'm sure other manufacturers do similar range of lines.

light marks - swirl x
medium - scratch x
heavy - ultimate compound
and even heavier - ultimate cut compound 105 (more for pro's)

Remember its always best to use the least abrasive product to get the job done.


I would suggest checking out the above products media samples that are available online. You will be surprised by the results and how good they actually are

 

[dave7368]

I used Megs #83 on mine with a machine polisher, and Megs #85 on the bonnet which had marks the #83 wouldn't shift, a whole day to do it but it looked like new after,

 

[Stylesa]

Really? The guy I use (http://www.idealvaleting.com) does a full detail which takes 24/30hrs, which includes everything! He makes sure everything is spot because he is picky like that! That only costs about £500...

Full respray done properly your looking at around £1500 at least!

I went for the basic detail package, which was £180. He spent 6hrs on the car, including ph neutral wash, clay bar, machine polish, wax and protection.

Are you sure there is nothing about your area that is suitably priced?

This is the the only detailing place that is close to me http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/detailing-services-service-options.html but it is quite expensive!

Hopefully most of it is only marring on the lacquer. I may give some of the above products a try and see if they work.

 

[blueguy]

Polished bliss are a high end detailing company, you should see some of the work they do on detailingworld if you haven't already. I get all of my products from them - top notch stuff.

 

[dc5-2ltr]

Polished bliss are a high end detailing company, you should see some of the work they do on detailingworld if you haven't already. I get all of my products from them - top notch stuff.

Might seem a daft question as I`ve not done this before but would it be worth using a clay bar on the paintwork and then a curse good waxing to bring it back to an acceptable finish??

 

[CaLi]

Might seem a daft question as I`ve not done this before but would it be worth using a clay bar on the paintwork and then a curse good waxing to bring it back to an acceptable finish??

you'd get it to acceptable finish without claying, but its deffo worth claying a car every so often as it makes such a difference, paint feels becomes glass smooth with no friction, just make sure you seal it well with few coats of wax other wise and keep ontop of it otherwise the hard work of claying will be wasted

 

[blueguy]

Might seem a daft question as I`ve not done this before but would it be worth using a clay bar on the paintwork and then a curse good waxing to bring it back to an acceptable finish??

Claying is definitely worth the effort bud if you haven't before (it's not required often). To get the best out of polishing and waxing the paint needs to be decontaminated as best as possible. Washing can only do so much. There's a whole raft of steps you can include depending on how hardcore you want to get with cleaning. Funnily enough, Polished bliss have some good guides that explain why different steps are done: decontaminating paint
(I don't work for them btw or get any royalties, I just find their guides and products have worked very well for me)

 

[PORTHOS]

If in doubt: http://www.meguiars.co.uk/detailing-guide

That should answer all your questions 8)

 

[dc5-2ltr]

Claying is definitely worth the effort bud if you haven't before (it's not required often). To get the best out of polishing and waxing the paint needs to be decontaminated as best as possible. Washing can only do so much. There's a whole raft of steps you can include depending on how hardcore you want to get with cleaning. Funnily enough, Polished bliss have some good guides that explain why different steps are done: decontaminating paint
(I don't work for them btw or get any royalties, I just find their guides and products have worked very well for me)

If in doubt: http://www.meguiars....detailing-guide

That should answer all your questions 8)

Much appreciated Lads...I hope these replies can help Stylesa as well as me :xcheers:

 

[Stylesa]

Cheers guys. Cleaned the car again last night under some bright lighting (but in darkness) and the swirl marks are painful to look at :xcry: ! im going to have to tackle it very soon!

Poilished bliss are very good at what they do, but their prices are unbelievable.

 

[PORTHOS]

Cheers guys. Cleaned the car again last night under some bright lighting (but in darkness) and the swirl marks are painful to look at :xcry: ! im going to have to tackle it very soon!

Poilished bliss are very good at what they do, but their prices are unbelievable.

Have you not tried some Meguiars Ultimate Compound?

http://www.itr-dc5.com/forum/index.php?/topic/23126-removing-light-scratches-and-swirl-marks-by-hand/

Removes lots of swirls! Will take you a while though, especially if you are doing the whole car, but keep at it if you want to save some money 8)

Take a pic of the swirls with the camera flash on, will show them up well. Post it here.

 

[Stylesa]

Thanks ian, i am going on a detailing shopping trip at lunch today, will pick up that stuff. Results look really really good. those swirl marks are very similar to mine, under certain lights they show up really really bad.

How often do you use that?

 

[PORTHOS]

Thanks ian, i am going on a detailing shopping trip at lunch today, will pick up that stuff. Results look really really good. those swirl marks are very similar to mine, under certain lights they show up really really bad.

How often do you use that?

I only bought it to clear off the swirls left behind after the dodgy re-spray I had, it did the most amazing job by hand at removing the scratches. If you can catch your nail on the scratches, then they are too deep to remove by hand, you will need a machine polisher, otherwise Ultimate Compound will get rid of them all no problem 8)

Only use it though if you need to remove swirls and any other surface defects, don't use it for the hell of it, it is quite strong stuff!

 

[Stylesa]

I only bought it to clear off the swirls left behind after the dodgy re-spray I had, it did the most amazing job by hand at removing the scratches. If you can catch your nail on the scratches, then they are too deep to remove by hand, you will need a machine polisher, otherwise Ultimate Compound will get rid of them all no problem 8)

Only use it though if you need to remove swirls and any other surface defects, don't use it for the hell of it, it is quite strong stuff!

Cool, the marks i have are not fingernail deep. i am genuinely excited about using this product at the weekend!

Detailing web sites should be banned.... they just make you want to buy stuff! just on polished bliss this morning, machine polisher results are jaw-dropping!

 

[PORTHOS]

Cool, the marks i have are not fingernail deep. i am genuinely excited about using this product at the weekend!

Detailing web sites should be banned.... they just make you want to buy stuff! just on polished bliss this morning, machine polisher results are jaw-dropping!

Try not to wet your pants :lol:

You will be amazed by the results by hand, just make sure you apply it with a clean cloth or polishing pad. I use cotton pads. Follow the instructions, and you cant go wrong, take your time. If you are doing the whole car, it may take you a whole weekend!

Machine Polishers are BRILL, they take the work out of application and will get rid of the scratches you can feel with a nail easy. But only really needed if your paintwork is dull and badly scratched.