Best products for swirl mark removal by hand?

[marlinspike]

I have never had to do whole car paint correction before, as I have always owned a car from new and just taken good care of it/addressed things as needed. My girlfriend bought a car and while the paint is still good it is swirled all over. Is there an effective way to fix this by hand?

Right now I use 3M mostly for scratch removal, but while I can get out a deep scratch, I can`t get rid of swirls.

[Ronkh]

Just my .02

yeah it`s possible. WAY too much work. You`d need arms like Arnold (insert german accent)

There are some good d/a package deals from autopia, or use a glaze such as pb black hole or white diamond and seal/wax over it

[JSFM35X]

Came here to say what Ron did, I tried it in 2008 and it doesn`t work unless you are a Olympian. Your arm will tire long before the polish even gets broken down forget about cleared.

Just my .02

yeah it`s possible. WAY too much work. You`d need arms like Arnold (insert german accent)

There are some good d/a package deals from autopia, or use a glaze such as pb black hole or white diamond and seal/wax over it

[marlinspike]

Hmmm, ok, maybe I`ll pay a guy to do it once and then I can just handle the upkeep. That said, what would you recommend if someone were willing to be immensely fatigued (or maybe just needed to do one panel and not a whole car)?

[Ronkh]

Hmmm, ok, maybe I`ll pay a guy to do it once and then I can just handle the upkeep. That said, what would you recommend if someone were willing to be immensely fatigued (or maybe just needed to do one panel and not a whole car)?

Therapy

Seriously, a glaze and seal/wax over

Repeat as you see the swirls return

[Mike lambert]

Meguiars scratch x works very well by hand

[Ronkh]

Really, as Jeff said, most people won`t even get the polish to break down

[bswombaugh]

This article may help you
How To Remove Swirls By Hand

[RaysWay]

Hmmm, ok, maybe I`ll pay a guy to do it once and then I can just handle the upkeep. That said, what would you recommend if someone were willing to be immensely fatigued (or maybe just needed to do one panel and not a whole car)?

Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover works great by hand. It`s not too aggressive, so it doesn`t leave behind micromarring. Just remember to clay first if needed, and be prepared for multiple applications while working in a small area (1` x 1`). Use a thick applicator so you can apply pressure with your entire hand so you don`t leave fingermarks. Try a test spot first, then wipe off the residue and inspect your results. Repeat the test spot process 4, 5, maybe even 6 times until all the swirl marks are removed. Then call 1-877-855-3125 when you`re ready to buy a polisher

[ShaneB]

Someone help me with the numbers here... But to break down a polish with a DA usually takes anywhere from what maybe 4-6 section passes in a 2x2 section? consider about 1-2 minutes to complete, add in the opm (oscillations/minute) of your average DA, convert one oscillation to one circle motion with your hand. How long would it take to add up to the same number, and how numb would your arm be?

You can correct minor blemishes by hand but whole panel swirl removal? Like others said, don`t bother unless you`re looking for a workout.

[rdorman]

Scratch X does work well. I am the same camp as others. For a whole car learn to use a DA or have someone polish for you. Then focus on proper wash techniques. You may find a detailer that will only do the polish process for you and leave the rest up to you to save a few bucks if that is a concern. What they can do to a cars finish in as little as a couple/few hours is amazing. All that is needed for a DD IMO.

[Accumulator]

MarlinSpike- Welcome to Autopia!

Realistically, it just won`t happen by hand. Just doing fingernail scratches behind door handles can literally take a full afternoon of very tough work.

But OK, effective but not efficient: Products with nondiminishing abrasives such as Meguiar`s M105, M101, or Ultimate Compound. Follow with a milder polish, also with nondiminishing abrasives such as M205, Ultimate Polish, or the superior (IMO) HD Polish.

Buy a polisher/pads/etc. and plan on a new hobby, or just pay a (GOOD, and they`re rare) Pro to do the correction and then work on wash technique so it can stay that way.

[The Guz]

I agree with what has been said already. It will at least look better if you do it by hand than not doing anything.

Here`s a good thread that you has some good info.

Man versus Machine - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

If you do decide to do it by hand then I would pick up a set of these. I use these in places a machine can`t get to.

EZ Grip Hydro-Tech Hand Applicators

If you are looking for products, you can pick up Meguiar`s ultimate compound, ultimate polish and ultimate wax at your local autoparts store.

[Ronkh]

Glaze

Seal/wax

[marlinspike]

Thanks for all the info guys. My main reason not to want to buy a polisher is not to risk doing something harmful to the finish while I`m learning how to use it. I think for this car I`ll pay someone to get it good and then I`ll just keep it nice as I have all of my cars (funny how it seems like you can never find a used car in quite as nice condition as it would be if you owned it the whole time).

What about if I change my question to be more localized, like after wet sanding out a small scratch? The 3M Rubbing Compound gets out the sanding marks, but then the 3M swirl mark remover seems to do very little (or perhaps it leaves behind it`s own fine scratches), and the 3M Hand Glaze does nothing at all as far as I can tell (I now use P21S Paintwork Cleanser where I would have used the Hand Glaze before, i.e. just to get out contaminants). I try to avoid Meguiar`s ever since I watched their wheel cleaner strip the paint off my wheels and bleach the driveway below the wheel. Maybe all the other products are good, but just out of spite I don`t like to buy their products after that (even though I`ll admit a good body shop where I used to live told me they tested a bunch of different products and the Meguiar`s Professional line was as good or better than anything else).

EDIT: I`ve been reading some of the links. I`m starting to think my real problem with the products I already use isn`t the product, but that I use a towel to apply it. Time to research pads...