Now if anybody knows me they know that I clean the heck out of my truck...24/7 but I now have a problem that I have never had...
The last time I detailed my truck I used a new type of wax that I had never used before. Well now tonight as I was taking some pictures at night I caught the light just right and I saw crucial swirl marks all over the place!!!
What the heck can I do to get rid of them?
Should I use clay bar...polishing compound?? What should I do?
I cant have this!!!
Thanks

 

 

 

Clay will not remove swirl marks. Clay is used to clean the contamination from the paint. ie: raildust, etc. The only ways to correct swirl marks is by polising the paint or in the worst case, masking the swirls with a filler.

 

So should I use polshing compound on the whole truck?

 

Yes, but be careful what you use. Machine buffing will do the best job.

 

I really havent used a buffer but I guess I can try an orbital buffer...but I have this stuff called safe cut swirl and haze remover should I try that before straight polishing compound? And also when putting on the compund should I go in a back and forth motion or a swirl motion? To me swirl motion would make no sense but thats what it says on the bottle.
How long should I let it haze before I take it off?
Thanks again

 

safe cut swirl and haze remover Who makes this product???
This is a safe polisher to use: Porter Cable:http://cgi.ebay.com/Porter-Cable-742...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Um im not sure who makes it..Ill have to check tomorrow will doing it by hand work at all?

 

It may help some depending on the depth of the swirl marks. Check into the Deep Crystal system by Meguiar's. It is safe and produces good results. There are a lot of Detailing products out there and some are real crap and a waste of money. Just be cautious about what you use.

 

I won't be online again until late tomorrow night, but if you have any questions, please let me know and I will try to help.

 

Safe Cut is made by The Wax Shop. It is an OK, swirl remover. You could use something like that or step up to something like Menzerna SIP or IP @ www.autogeek.net

 

Honestly the only way to completely remove the swirls is with a rotary buffer. And it still can be very tricky. It will actually heat up the paint and rearrange it, making it look smooth again. Has your truck ever been buffed with a buffer before? Thats usually how the swirls get there in the first place. Anyways go to a detail shop or get yourself a nice buffer and start by taking it nice and slow until you get the hang of it.

 

Menzerna is the best out there IMHO. It is best worked by machine. The Porter Cable will work OK . It can provive the results that you are looking for. Technique is very important. However as stated by chedster, a rotary will work better but it not as safe to use. If not used properly, it can burn the paint. Experience is needed to use a rotary properly. As a rule of thumb, with the polish, always use the least agressive first, in this case, Menzerna IP.
Other Menzera polishes are made for the German "Hard" clearcoats, ie:SIP. The pad you use on the buffer will also make a difference. The one thas Autogeek has been providing for you, an orange foam pad will suffice in most cases.
My suggestion would be to join some of the detailing online forums about detailing. Good ones to start with are Autogeekonline.net, Autopia.org and Meguiarsonline.com. I also suggest joining the forums. There is a lot of good information provided there and new members are always welcome, especially at Autogeek. Read, read, read....learn, learn,learn.....and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. The Meguiars Deep Crystal system is a good way to start. It is safe and can be bought over the counter. It can be used by machine. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask. I work some rather unusual hours so replies may not be immediate, but I will answer then ASAP.

 

Man i really appreciate all the help!!! I just honestly dont realize how they could have gotten there. Everytime i wax my truck I have always used the same method and nothing has ever happened. The only thing different this time was that I bought a new type of wax but it said nothing but that it was some really good stuff and that it enhances clear coat. I have never seen these marks before but I swear I dont get how i could have gotten swirl marks..I did it by hand!! These marks have def. never been there before but Im starting to wonder if its something else like maybe some wax left behind or something I just dont know it just doesnt seem like it could be swirl marks to me..lord knows they look like it though thats for sure

 

It may be from your washing process as well. I always use the 2 bucket method with Grit Guards in both buckets. Darker colors will show swirl marks more than light colors. Also, what you you to wax or polish may have some fillers in it. As time goes on the wax diminishes as do the fillers thereby allowing the swirl marks to reappear.

 

3m polishing compound, the stuff works wonders.

 

So could waxing cover up swirl marks?? Haha im sorry for bein so stupid on this but I just wanna get these things gone

 

Wax can cover up really small imperfections but porbably will not cover up swirls. I just bought a UDM which is similar to the Porter cable. Ill let you know how it works. That may be your best bet to remove the swirls.

 

I have to agree with the above, get yourself the porter cable, or the udm is the ultimate detailing machine, Ive heard good things about I do know th PC works though I like to use wolfgang total swirl remover I find that works best on almost all cars I do,

And order a variety of pads to go with it, check out the sites, ive seen kits with it all and free shipping so look around

 

Alright guys thanks I really appreciate all the help!!

 

A second hand porter cable can be had pretty cheap and are great machines. Chances are the swirl marks are from poor washing/drying techniques.