Info needed....

B

breakneckvtec

New member
Swirls, we all hate them. Also known as micro marring. They suck. I did a mothers 3 step on my car about 3 months ago before I knew what I know now. Its worn off and now it looks like ***, swirls galore. None look to serious, only ones are on the hood in a few spots a few areas are saturated with alot of densly populated swirls. I dont know how to judge the severity of them. I worry about the abrasive swirl removers but this was my attack plan:

wash

clay

wash

3M SMR(white pad), if not enough 3M machine polish(yellow pad), then back to the SMR

AIO (white pad)

SG (finishing pad)

All getting done with a PC. I worry about two things:

1) I wont be able to remove the swirls to my satisfaction

2) The amount of clearcoat I take off with the removal of my swirls, I intend to work them till they are gone. None of the "swirls" I speak of are scratches, this I know, they are clearcoat defects. What do I need to take into consideration? What do I need to look out for? Any additional swirl removing tips I can get would be awesome. Thanks for any help and suggestions.
 
Your attack plan looks good, although I'm not a big fan of claying cars (that's just me though).



As for removing a certain amoiunt of the clear coat - I'm not sure, I have asked myself that question too. From what I understand, the 3M SMR with a polishing pad (white in your case) isn't that aggressive so you aren't cutting too much of the surface.



Also, since you are using a PC and not a rotory, I don't think you have to worry about it, unless you plan on doing this every month. :)



HTH,



- Anthony
 
Excellent plan!:up



You can really put the AIO on with the finishing pad also if you want because you are really just using it to clean the surface as a prep for waxing. It's only benefits in your case is it's solvents.



If you have some swirls that aren't coming out with SMR and the white pad switch to the yellow pad. If that doesn't work use Finesse It and the yelllow pad. Then finish up again with SMR and the white pad.



And personally, I'm a huge fan of claying. Just keep the surface lubed well with auto shampoo and irrigated with water. This works better than QD.



Go for it!:xyxthumbs
 
What are the chances i wont even be able to get rid of some of the more dense swirls? I only see them on the hood in two places, must have picked up something on the paint while drying or detailing one time:( . On top of that what I really worry about is, and havent got an answer on, is what are my worries about removing some clear to rid the swirls? Is it a minimal amount that would take ALOT of compounding/polishing to remove to a point that would be a high risk of breaking through the clear? To my knowledge its only been waxed by the previous owner, no details, no compounding/polishing. Paint and car is 4 years old.
 
If you can't "feel" the swirls the chances are pretty good. It's hard for me to say without seeing them. And it's more difficult and time consuming with an orbital than a radial buffer but with patience it is likely they will come out or at least be reduced to the point that you should be pleased.



Actual "scratches" are one thing but swirls almost always can be removed.



You are ALWAYS removing clear. But gauging how much is where experience comes into play. Again, the fact that you can't feel the swirl is a good barometer that you have a LOT to play with here and can likely remove ALL the swirl.
 
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