Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

[shweetpickens]

I have owned my 2013 Taurus SHO black since brand new. When I began waxing and washing I wanted to make sure I did not induce swirls so I researched. Slowly but surely, I have seen them appear. Here is what I have been doing and please tell me where I went wrong:

1. Wash car with 2 buckets (one with a grate at the bottom using soap, the second for rinsing rag with water between dips in the soap bucket)

2. Dry car using waffle weave towel being careful to drag towel across car vs "wiping"

When detailing:
1. Wash and dry like above

2. Clay bar top of car (I don't mess with the sides)

3. Wolfgang pre wax cleaner with a porter cable da polisher. Remove with microfiber towels being careful not to rub too hard or do "circles"
- I researched these microfiber towels on amazon before buying to ensure that they weren't going to swirl my paint!

4. Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant also with da polisher and appropriate pads

5. Wipe and buff. Done.

When I first noticed swirls I would do a couple of passes with meguiars swirl remover before the pre wax cleaner, but those swirls got there somehow.... They are not large, obnoxious, obvious swirls, but still definitely noticeable in direct sunlight when perfectly clean.

With as much detail, research, and tools that I have been using, it makes me want to give up and pay someone after STILL getting swirls. What do you guys think??

[kieron24]

Re: Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

I have owned my 2013 Taurus SHO black since brand new. When I began waxing and washing I wanted to make sure I did not induce swirls so I researched. Slowly but surely, I have seen them appear. Here is what I have been doing and please tell me where I went wrong:

1. Wash car with 2 buckets (one with a grate at the bottom using soap, the second for rinsing rag with water between dips in the soap bucket)

2. Dry car using waffle weave towel being careful to drag towel across car vs "wiping"

When detailing:
1. Wash and dry like above

2. Clay bar top of car (I don't mess with the sides)

3. Wolfgang pre wax cleaner with a porter cable da polisher. Remove with microfiber towels being careful not to rub too hard or do "circles"
- I researched these microfiber towels on amazon before buying to ensure that they weren't going to swirl my paint!

4. Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant also with da polisher and appropriate pads

5. Wipe and buff. Done.

When I first noticed swirls I would do a couple of passes with meguiars swirl remover before the pre wax cleaner, but those swirls got there somehow.... They are not large, obnoxious, obvious swirls, but still definitely noticeable in direct sunlight when perfectly clean.

With as much detail, research, and tools that I have been using, it makes me want to give up and pay someone after STILL getting swirls. What do you guys think??

What do you wash the car with? You should be using a proper wash mitt like the Meguiars Microfibre one and both buckets should have the grit guards. Everything else seems to be on point.

[The Guz]

Re: Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

How old are those waffle weaves? They get harder as they age and can cause marring. I would consider switching to a plush towel instead of a waffle weave.

Using a spray wax or spray detailer as a drying aid.

So based on what you wrote here and from my understanding you are doing this how many times? After every wash?

That Wolfgang product is a paint cleaner with no correcting ability from my understanding.

When detailing:
1. Wash and dry like above

2. Clay bar top of car (I don't mess with the sides)

3. Wolfgang pre wax cleaner with a porter cable da polisher. Remove with microfiber towels being careful not to rub too hard or do "circles"
- I researched these microfiber towels on amazon before buying to ensure that they weren't going to swirl my paint!

4. Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant also with da polisher and appropriate pads

5. Wipe and buff. Done.

It is possible the paint is on the soft side.

This thread is good. See Mike Phillips' responses on page 2 and 3.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/100466-i-really-tried-help-me-making-worse-2.html#post1372331

[shweetpickens]

Re: Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

What do you wash the car with? You should be using a proper wash mitt like the Meguiars Microfibre one and both buckets should have the grit guards. Everything else seems to be on point.

http://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-MIC_493-Microfiber-Scratch-Free/dp/B003TTL0TE?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[shweetpickens]

Re: Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

How old are those waffle weaves? They get harder as they age and can cause marring. I would consider switching to a plush towel instead of a waffle weave.

Using a spray wax or spray detailer as a drying aid.

So based on what you wrote here and from my understanding you are doing this how many times? After every wash?

That Wolfgang product is a paint cleaner with no correcting ability from my understanding.



It is possible the paint is on the soft side.

This thread is good. See Mike Phillips' responses on page 2 and 3.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ml#post1372331

I wash once or twice a month. I do the paint clean and sealant protocol 2x per year. I would love to throw a coat of wax on after, but after 5 hours and a very sore back I say "good enough" and call it a day...

PS: Good read thanks sir! After reading that I think that I have decided to repaint my car white!!

[luc.who]

Re: Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

I love my black cars... recently bought a white one... and now I am going back to black.. .its worth it.. it is a lot of work when you want perfection...but its my therapy!

[Merlin]

Re: Black car swirl marks. Am I doing something wrong?

What do you wash the car with? You should be using a proper wash mitt like the Meguiars Microfibre one and both buckets should have the grit guards. Everything else seems to be on point.

Anything that touches the paint can cause swirl marks!
Although they look like a circle, swirl marks can be straight lines.
The swirl "look" is created by the way light refracts on the fine scratches.

It is possible the paint is on the soft side.

Soft black paint can be very difficult to keep from reinstalling swirls.
Ask anyone that's done H-D Vivid black or Lexus Obsidian black. (sigh)
My first suggestion would be to upgrade your wash mitt and all your towels.
I've experienced "quality" microfiber towels causing fine scratches after polishing.
Polish, wipe off, swirls...polish, wipe off, swirls still there, this cycle will drive you nuts!
With the right towels you will not reinstall fine scratches. Work very clean! It makes a difference.