All excellent comments...

Can you get rid of the swirl marks? The answer is yes you can.

How do you get rid of the swirl marks? You can have it done professionally (someone good like golfdude and andrew) or do it yourself. Choice number 2 involves a lot of hard work, time, equipment and materials.

I experimented with a number of product for nearly a year. I did get an orbital buffer but it was a cheap unit from Pep Boys. Although I had all the right polishes and swirl removers, because it was a cheap buffer the best I could do was reduce the swirls appearance.

I was afraid to use a commercial buffer because of the horror stories about burning right through the paint. But there are a number of posts about the Porter Cable 7424 consumer orbital buffer that I thought I would try one.

By using the PC and proper cutting pad with the proper polish I can say that my swirl marks are nearly 100% gone (on black paint no less).

It took about 6 weeks and several applications per week to get to this stage for me.

As a first step I clayed the car.

I used Sonus Swirl buster polish (designed for black and dark blue paints) with the Sonus Swirl Buster pad for the porter cable.

I then applied Meguiar's NXT liquid wax with the PC and a soft wax pad. This wax claims to help fill swirl marks.

Then sealed it with Sonus Acrylic Glanz. (this is actually a Klasse product).

I am lucky to live in SoCal where rain is nearly non existent and of course no snow (or road salt) during the winter. As a result I NEVER wash my car. I always carry a California duster and quick detailer. Under the hatch I have the turtle wax ICE detail spray along with a supply of very soft micro fiber cloths. The ICE detailer can be used in direct sunlight on a hot car without streaking or other damage. If a bird or bug decides to decorate my car while I am out, I clean it as soon as possible and don't just wait til I get home (I did leave bird droppings on the hood once all day. by evening it had etched through the wax and into the paint).

Each evening after pulling into the garage I use the duster followed by detailer with a micro fiber cloth. It takes about 15 minutes and keeps the shine on and contaminants away. At least once a week I also use the Acrylic Glanz which applies a hard finish and adds to the gloss.

Now that I have a good heavy coat of wax that is sealed, I now apply wax only once every two months but still wipe it down each day and keep the car in the garage at night.

Here are close-up pics of the hood, top and rear fender.



I constantly have people ask how I keep the finish so shiny? I reply "...lots of hard work, good products, and tender care..."