CC hardness on a Prowler?

B

Bobby G

New member
by David W. Bynon

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A buffer in the hands of a pro can do wonders on a car that has heavy oxidation or minor scratches. Most body shops can use a buffer to blend touch-ups to perfection. Unfortunately, many detail shops and buffer owners don't know how to use the tool, or use the wrong compounds.



Swirls can be removed. However, it will take a fair amount of work on your part. Doing it one small section at a time will allow you to see progress.



If you get swirl marks, most likely the most noticeable area is your hood and trunk sections. To remove these swirl marks, use a product like 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover or Meguiar's No. 9 Swirl Remover. They both have very mild abrasives. They work slow. They also contain essential oils that will enhance the gloss, detracting from the swirls.



The best tool to apply Swirl Remover is a terry cloth applicator pad (not a terry cloth towel) or a foam applicator. Apply swirl remover by rubbing a generous amount into the paint fore and aft. Do not rub in circles, do not rub side to side, only rub front to rear.



Once the Swirl Remover begins to haze, use a clean terry cloth towel to buff. Again, front to rear only. You will need to do this several times to make an impact. Your hood alone, by hand, may take as long as an hour and a half to two hours. Don't be alarmed by color coming off on your towel. If your car does not have a clear coat, some color will come off on your applicator and towels.



When you're done with the swirl remover (polish), apply your favorite wax. If you can see swirls before you wax, you'll see then after you wax. Wax will not hide imperfections.



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:mad:



Wait a frickin minute here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 2 hrs max on a hood,????????!!!!!!!???????. There's gotta be a better way, can you use a PC???????????? c'mon, gimmie a break



91
 
If you get swirl marks, most likely the most noticeable area is your hood and trunk sections. To remove these swirl marks, use a product like 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover or Meguiar's No. 9 Swirl Remover. They both have very mild abrasives. They work slow. They also contain essential oils that will enhance the gloss, detracting from the swirls.
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Sorry to disagree with you here but these products basically hide swirls! Sure there is a mild abrasive in them but mainly they hide, not remove, scratches and swirls.



Yes, using a PC would be a lot easier and get far better results. To really REMOVE swirls and scratches, you need something a bit more agressive and may even need to use a rotary.



The test to see how you are doing is after using whatever, spray with some alcohol/water mix, wipe and see how it's coming along.



I think you'll find that using the above products by hand, and then doing the test, most swirls and scratches will still be there.



Just my observations, you're mileage will vary!
 
I don't mind some filling action, but I don't see the point of totally filling in swirls, there still there and after a washing or 2, there still going to be there and the fillers will just wash away.



I don't mean to be a ***** or anything, I really don't but when I saw 2 hrs max on a hood????????? c'mon man!:(



BTW, would anyone happen to know if Pro's P-21 Polish and Swirl Mark Remover contain any fillers???????. Like I said, I don't mind some, but I like mostly a "cutting" action. Tks everyone



91
 
Is Zaino Z-5 an effective solution to swirl marks? what about Dri-Wash/Miracle Wash?.......if applying 3M swirl remover by hand, in what motion should it be applied to the doors and fenders?





BTW.....will these swirl marks show up again after having used the 3M swirl remover?
 
David you are so right on this one. I have spent over 2 hours just on a hood to remove swirls and scratches on a brand new black Pontiac Bonneville that a dealer detailed. I was paid $400.00 to remove every swirl, scratch and imperfection. The dealer ruined it and the customer demanded a new paint job. We fixed it to a better than new finish. Perfection takes time, experience, and the right products. Detailing is just what the name implies detail.
 
I absolutely agree on technique but don't use those products as you would expect...I have spent an easy 6-7 hours working on fairly new Porsche's ,Ferraris, and MB's that dealers scewed up with poor equipment and little knowledge of fine detailing.

Two hours on a hood is more like a max not a guideline...if you couldn't get everything out in two hours...then you should move on..IMO
 
There is a huge difference between what I do on my own cars and what I'd do if I were being paid.



Lately, I have taken a different tact all together. I've started using medium cut compounds on fine foam pads for scratch and severe swirl removal. I keep the speed down to 750 - 1,000 RPM. I then switch to a polish that will remove compounding haze and finish with a glaze (something with a little polishing action). Including the time it takes to mask the car, I can complete the job in 3-4 hours. The masking saves on trim clean up and makes it so I don't have to be as careful on hard edges and ajoining panels. I also remove small trim pieces, like the tail lights.
 
Any quick release masking tape will work. The blue painter's tape you find at most hardware stores (3M) is what I normally use. I had a few rolls of this racy red tape that made for nice pictures.
 
I have bought the following products ,and I am ready to get my swirls out:





Clay Magic Clay Bar

Meg's Paint Cleaner

Meg's Scratch-x

Meg's Deep Crystal Polish (Glaze or not?)



Now here is my question:



Is using the clay bar and the paint cleaner redundant? Also, is using the scratch-x, paint cleaner, and polish too much as well? Or will I get good results by claying, cleaning, using Scratch-x, then polishing? It sounds like a tremendous amount of work, but as I have heard, it is not about the PRODUCT, it is the PROCESS.



Any input is appreciated.
 
Mothers is one of the few companies in complete alignment with my way of thinking. The clay removes surface contamination, but it does not remove dirt in the pores of the paint. Also, clay is hit and miss removing road grunge film. To remove what clay misses, you still need to use a pre-wax cleaner. Because Mothers is a mass consumer product, they include their Carnauba Cleaner/Wax, which does an excellent job. A better "enthusiast" kit would include a small bottle of Mothers Pre-Wax Cleaner instead (hint, hint... Forrest).
 
migace312 said:
Is Zaino Z-5 an effective solution to swirl marks? what about Dri-Wash/Miracle Wash?.......if applying 3M swirl remover by hand, in what motion should it be applied to the doors and fenders?





BTW.....will these swirl marks show up again after having used the 3M swirl remover?
Click to expand...
Zaino 5 did not work for me! 3M SMR has worked MOST of the time!
 
I've been using Meguiars Professional products for years, and remember the Acid Rain Correction Cream (smells like Denteen) and the Clear Coat Conditioner as well.



#9 ver 2.0 (Swirl Remover) has been a big help in removing those swirls left by dealer's polishing out a car for delivery to a customer by way of the heavy orbital terry bonnet pad buffers.



I just took deliver of a new 2003 Lexus SC430 in RED, and requested that they revert to a random orbital with foam polish and finish pads, but guess what they used?



I'm now in the process of removing all the swirls, checking the finish before Zaino #2 is applied.



I'v been a big fan of #34 Final Inspection to clean up between buffing, but this Z6 stuff kind of does a better job in shine. Hey it also smells like Anisette in a way....



3M SMR also is a fine product as well for swirls, just have to match the product to the amount of damage.



Once completed, I'll see if I can post some pics of the SC430. Fun car to drive too!!



Regards,

Deanski
 
One more question. Do you get a powdery flakes when the pad touches the tape? Maybe its the type of tape im using.
 
Hi,



One question: I am trying to decide between (i) 3M SMR for Dark Colors and (ii) Meguiars #9 SMR. I have a 2-year old dark blue metallic 3 series. Which one of the two SMRs should I get? Any pros and cons?
 
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