Swirl Marks

amcand · Jan 5, 2009

Hi Guys,

I have recently bought an 06 1.9 GPS, and the previous owner has obviously not looked after the paintwork. The reason being there are loads of swirl amrks and tiny scratches covering most of the car.

What is the best way to remove these?

Thanks.

Ffoxy · Jan 5, 2009

Clay bar, hard work, polish, wax and seal I say but I'm sure the Detailers will be around soon to give you good info

Great choice of car BTW!

Tris Harris · Jan 5, 2009

for the swirl marks, if your not wanting to go down the machine polisher route, id choose Auto Glymn super resin polisher as it works as a type of filler.

for any scratches the SRP doesnt get rid of, could always try Meguiars Scratch X

hope thats of some use to you matey

Andy Monty · Jan 5, 2009

as tris said scratch-X a german applicator pad

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/ultimate-german-applicator/prod_280.html

with scratch-X you need to work it not just wipe it on and off each section (we are talking about 1by1 foot square) needs to be worked in for a good minute or two (until the paste goes totally clear) using a reasonable amount of pressure.....

then SRP several times

amcand · Jan 5, 2009

I have some of the auto glym srp and is very good as a filler, but i was looking at removing the scratches. Will give the scratch-x a go.

Cheers.

Andy Monty · Jan 5, 2009

amcand said:
I have some of the auto glym srp and is very good as a filler, but i was looking at removing the scratches. Will give the scratch-x a go.

Cheers.

SRP is also a good cutter but as with scratch-X it needs to be worked in really well

have a read of this SRP is pictured 1/2 way down the page

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=10656

or if you just want to tidy it up for whats left of winter

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=78109

amcand · Jan 5, 2009

Would SRP work if i waxed and sealed over the top?

Andy Monty · Jan 5, 2009

amcand said:
Would SRP work if i waxed and sealed over the top?

yep

just giving you a few options for this time of year i'd think sod it give it a wash clay and 2 coats of autobalm

amcand · Jan 6, 2009

Will BH Autobalm protect the car on its own or will a sealent be needed as an extra layer of protection?

Andy Monty · Jan 6, 2009

amcand said:
Will BH Autobalm protect the car on its own or will a sealent be needed as an extra layer of protection?

its an all in one its a mild paint cleanser, filler and sealant all in one

http://www.bilthamber.com/autobalm.html

Mark Elvin · Jan 6, 2009

I'd wait till the spring & get it m/c polished (or do it yourself)

Tris Harris · Jan 6, 2009

Mark Elvin said:
I'd wait till the spring & get it m/c polished (or do it yourself)

think im going to be going down the machine polisher route with mine... i have a few swirls here and there that have appeared somehow even though ive been extra extra cautious to avoid them...

Mark Elvin · Jan 7, 2009

Tris Harris said:
think im going to be going down the machine polisher route with mine... i have a few swirls here and there that have appeared somehow even though ive been extra extra cautious to avoid them...

No matter how carefull you are 'wash mark' will always occur. All you can do is minimise them. Snow foam, 2BM wash, soft drying towel well lubed etc.

thepottleflump · Jan 7, 2009

Tris Harris said:
think im going to be going down the machine polisher route with mine... i have a few swirls here and there that have appeared somehow even though ive been extra extra cautious to avoid them...

I'd advise limiting machine polishing, do the minimum and unless it's a concours show winning car a few light swirls is probably better than removing a considerable percentage of the clearcoat to get that perfect finish which is difficult to maintain on a working car. As Mark points out a few wash marks is inevitable.

Mark Elvin · Jan 7, 2009

When I machine polish I find I usually only remove around 1-4microns of paint, maybe more in extreme cases. Most cars clearcoat is IRO 60-100 microns miniumum. My 500 has around 90 microns

Tris Harris · Jan 8, 2009

Mark Elvin said:
No matter how carefull you are 'wash mark' will always occur. All you can do is minimise them. Snow foam, 2BM wash, soft drying towel well lubed etc.

this is my process minus the snow foam at the moment ( just ordered a new PW)

thepottleflump said:
I'd advise limiting machine polishing, do the minimum and unless it's a concours show winning car a few light swirls is probably better than removing a considerable percentage of the clearcoat to get that perfect finish which is difficult to maintain on a working car. As Mark points out a few wash marks is inevitable.

think i'll hold out on the machine polishing for a bit then... it is used everyday... 1600 miles a month!

thepottleflump · Jan 9, 2009

Tris Harris said:
think i'll hold out on the machine polishing for a bit then... it is used everyday... 1600 miles a month!

Machine polishing can make a car look great but's quite difficult to maintain that perfect finish, if you do machine might be best waiting to spring, get it tip top for summer, probably no point in this weather with the amount of salt on the roads!

buck-egit · Jan 10, 2009

here you are matey.... these are a few 50/50 shots of some cars i have detailed..... the BM was done with a silverline rotary @ 40 quid and the balck ones ( GP 5door ) are done with a kestral DA as the paint on the GP was realy realy soft and mared too much with the rotary, it was only 3 degrees at the time

This BM is now almost 9 years old i remember my dad bringing it home for the first time and I recon it is better looking now than it was 9 years ago just IMO lol

buck-egit · Jan 10, 2009

Tris Harris said:
this is my process minus the snow foam at the moment ( just ordered a new PW)

think i'll hold out on the machine polishing for a bit then... it is used everyday... 1600 miles a month!

I use PH nutral snow foam from Valet pro and as the car has 3 coats of Blackfire sealant and carnuba wax it is realy easy to clean I was once a week and. I wash the wheels first with Bilberry wheel cleaner and various brushes. then power wash the car, it is amazing what dirt you get off with just the PW alone...... But then i snow foam and leave for 10 mins then PW off and after that because the car is well waxed i use the free running water to help run off the beads of water from the paintwork then I get out my leaf blower ( at this point the neighbours call the local white coat men ):bang::bang:

i then blow off the car and almost leave it dry which means i havnt even touched the paint i woud say i get the car 90-95% clean this way

Andy Monty · Jan 11, 2009

buck-egit said:
I use PH nutral snow foam from Valet pro and as the car has 3 coats of Blackfire sealant and carnuba wax it is realy easy to clean I was once a week and. I wash the wheels first with Bilberry wheel cleaner and various brushes. then power wash the car, it is amazing what dirt you get off with just the PW alone...... But then i snow foam and leave for 10 mins then PW off and after that because the car is well waxed i use the free running water to help run off the beads of water from the paintwork then I get out my leaf blower ( at this point the neighbours call the local white coat men ):bang::bang:

i then blow off the car and almost leave it dry which means i havnt even touched the paint i woud say i get the car 90-95% clean this way

You tried Bilt hambers foam yet Buck?

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