Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    71
    Post Thanks / Like
    This has probably been covered before, but my search attempts led me nowhere. During a flight last week, as I looked out the window, I noticed the glass was covered with swirl marks and it got me thinking. Swirl marks are everywhere (not just automobile paint). I acknowledge that marring can be caused by incorrect washing methods, but I am skeptical that such symetrical swirls can really be caused by us. I have always washed my car with horizontal movements. Why then, do I get swirl marks and not horrizontal lines?
    1998 4runner Limited 4WD Anthracite



    -You know you are an Autopian when you lay awake at night fretting about the swirl marks on the roof of your car that no one knows about

  2. #2
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    The First Coast
    Posts
    13,257
    Post Thanks / Like
    You saw the marks on your car while viewing them from the window of an airplane?





    If the swirls marks look like cobwebbing/spider webs, this is the opitical effect from thousands and thousands of tiny scatches or marring. It still could be that although you wash in one direction, when viewed under the lighting source, it still may look like swirls.



    Now, if we`re talking, random, here and there curve shaped light scratches, that sounds like something abrasive randomly made contact with the paint. It can be tough to pin point exaclty what. Could be from driving, a rogue particle of dirt in a wash mitt or MF, etc., etc.
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    86,975
    Post Thanks / Like
    IIRC it has something to do with the way refractions of light tend to "radiate" from where the light source hits the paint, a sort of optical illusion. Sorry I can`t explain it better, wish I`d paid closer attention in science class



    In some lighting, you will probably see the straight marring as, well, straight lines. A friend of mine always does things front-back, but in the sun and under streetlights, the car looks "swirled", with the marring appearing to be sorta circular/elliptical. In my shop (controlled lighting conditions) the circular swirls will look more/less like straight lines depending on how I play with the lighting and viewing angle.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    71
    Post Thanks / Like
    Originally posted by Bill D

    You saw the marks on your car while viewing them from the window of an airplane?


    Sorry. That made no sense, so I edited my post accordingly.
    1998 4runner Limited 4WD Anthracite



    -You know you are an Autopian when you lay awake at night fretting about the swirl marks on the roof of your car that no one knows about

  5. #5
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    The First Coast
    Posts
    13,257
    Post Thanks / Like
    OK, I was just wondering. I`ll second what Accumulator added.
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    71
    Post Thanks / Like
    Originally posted by Accumulator

    IIRC it has something to do with the way refractions of light tend to "radiate" from where the light source hits the paint, a sort of optical illusion. Sorry I can`t explain it better, wish I`d paid closer attention in science class



    In some lighting, you will probably see the straight marring as, well, straight lines. A friend of mine always does things front-back, but in the sun and under streetlights, the car looks "swirled", with the marring appearing to be sorta circular/elliptical. In my shop (controlled lighting conditions) the circular swirls will look more/less like straight lines depending on how I play with the lighting and viewing angle.


    Very interesting. So the actual marring isn`t in a swirl pattern. Makes more sense now.
    1998 4runner Limited 4WD Anthracite



    -You know you are an Autopian when you lay awake at night fretting about the swirl marks on the roof of your car that no one knows about

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    DC Metro
    Posts
    978
    Post Thanks / Like
    interesting, though, that an improperly used rotary will show obvious swirls. i don`t know what this means, i just find it interesting

  8. #8
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    The First Coast
    Posts
    13,257
    Post Thanks / Like
    When it comes to rotary induced swirls, there`s probably even more variables ,quite a list I imagine, that can contribute. He he, that`s a big topic for a whole other, long thread.
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    4,000
    Post Thanks / Like
    I cannot find the thread where Mike Philips explains these effects with some great pics. In essence it is as Accumulator explained, it is a trick of the light

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    East Windsor, NJ
    Posts
    501
    Post Thanks / Like
    Peter Sterns



    72 Porsche 911E Targa, 85 Audi 4000S Quattro, 03 Honda Element AWD, 04 Honda CRV AWD, 06 Scion Tc

 

 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 45
    Last Post: 12-03-2012, 03:17 AM
  2. Side Mirrors Swirl marks?
    By prix03gt in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-08-2009, 03:13 PM
  3. Side by side Werkstatt vs Blackfire comparison on a pair of STI`s
    By WX51 TXR in forum Click & Brag -The Detailers Showcase
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-16-2006, 02:52 PM
  4. if you induce swirl marks with a rotory
    By 6']['9 in forum Professional Detailer General Discussion
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-02-2004, 01:23 AM
  5. Swirl marks right behind side mirror>
    By Redcar GUY in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-02-2002, 10:01 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •