I am the proud owner of a beautiful black '05 roadster. A few months back I got door dinged on the driver's quarter panel. I happened to be showing the light, but noticeable damage to my father one day and being the meat-and-potatoes macho man he is, he said "Bring it on over here and let me show you how to get those scratches out!" So what can I say, "No, sorry Dad, I'm going to have a 'professional' do it," and end up hurting his feelings...so when the weather was nice, I went over and let him remove the scratches. Now I have a beautiful shiny quarter panel with NO scratches, but nice even vertical swirl marks. Of course. I haven't said a word to him about it. My question is: how can I remove these swirl marks so it looks just as nice and shiny as it does now, minus the swirls? Do I need any special tool? He used his old school buffer from 1977. I have a steering wheel electric waxier at my disposal, but I don't think that I will be able to apply the appropriate pressure necessary with that tool. Any advice will help. I want to get this car ready for the nice spring, top-down weather. Thanks in advance for everyone's advice!!

~ Jason

 

malco plum crazy... works like a champ.

http://www.malcopro.com/cgi-win/mselect.exe/1147

if you want to stop by (i live in powell)... i have some i can provide you or apply. also... there is a local distributor in columbus you can purchase a bottle from if you want to keep some in stock.

i'd more than happy to help. let me know.

 

3M also makes a swirl mark remover 3M part #051131/39009. One for light colored cars , one for dark. Its available on 3M's web site.
My daughter had a black Audi A4. Nice car but it looked like it was buffed to death with a buffer. I used the 3M and it made a world of difference. Again I would remind you to make sure that what you wash your car with, the bucket, mitt, sponge have been thoroughly cleaned of any grit, that's one place that the swirls can come from.

Pat

 

Just polish your car, then wax it. The polish will level the clearcoat, while most waxes will fill-in the remaining swirls. For polish I recommend Poorboy's for first time users. A Porter Cable 7424 will help as well. Here is a good kit for the Porter Cable:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-sfxpol-kit.html

www.poorboysworld.com

 

Golfdude - Here's a dumb question for you. Whats the difference between polish and wax? I'm very happy with the Zaino product I use but that says its polish. Would I be even happier or better off with a wax on top or under it? My car gets at least one coat a month and I use the Zaino detailing spray after each wash. We use Meguiars car wash liquid.
I have no swirl marks by the way.
Thanks in advance for sharing your expertise on this.

Pat

 

Ahh, Patpur, the differences between polish and wax is something that few people really understand. Nevertheless, here goes: Polish is a liquid with abrasive properties that removes a super thin coat of clearcoat on your finish. Scratches and swirl marks are all just indentations within the clearcoat, and polish levels the clearcoat to leave a smooth, reflective finish. And yes, you can remove your clearcoat and paint with polish the proper buffer (a rotary buffer that is), and the proper pad. The Porter Cable, because of the pad's action, makes it almost impossible to burn through a clearcoat, that's why many beginners are recommended to use this product. Wax is used to provide a protective layer against the elements. Waxing your vehicle will make it easier to remove dirt and other forms of foreign material on your paint finish because of it's slick properties. I noticed you live in MD, and I would be glad to share you some tips if you are ever in Harrisonburg, VA.

 

Golfdude - thanks for the explanation and the offer. We will see what road trips come up this summer, I'll let you know.

Thanks - Pat

 

I am way to lazy to type all that but golf dude has it correct and a good way of explaining it too.

If you fill swirls that is all you have done, temporally filled them.
You must polish them out if you want then to be "really" gone.

 

i just bought my '04 crossfire and it is black, got a great deal on it but the paint looks like the previous owners washed it with a rock(overstatement) but you get the point. the swirl marks are really bad all over the car especially on the upper parts like the hood and top part of the doors. is there a permanent solution for eliminating these swirls.

 

PM sent...so check your inbox for a response!

 

Nothing wrong with a lil clay bar action to remove the stuff that caused those swirl marks in the first place... before polish and wax.