The Swirl Mistery

[TommyC]

Re: The Swirl Mistery

Is there a difference between covering up swirls and actually fixing swirls?

Such as, can a layer of wax cover up swirls? Or will swirls show through wax? Is there anything to be wary of that a body shop could just put on the paint to hide the swirls instead of fixing them?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: The Swirl Mistery

Modern clear coat paints are "Scratch-Sensitive", this means although they tend to be harder than traditional single stage paints, they still scratch very easily and to make matters worse, the nature of a clear layer of paint over the top of a colored or pigmented layer of paint makes swirls and scratches easier for your eyes to detect.

Where do swirls and scratches come from? Theoretically, anytime you, or something touches the paint, the potential exists to instill swirls and scratches, therefor you duty is to always work on your car in such a way as to reduce the potential for causing harm to the paint.

• This would include the basics like using a high lubricity car wash and a quality wash mitt coupled with tools like the Grit Guard.
• Focus on the task at hand whenever you're working on the paint, don't be sloppy and careless.
• Always using clean, premium quality applicator pads and polishing cloths.
• Always use good technique
• Don't let people work on your car unless you're 100% sure they are qualified and care about their work.

These are some of the basics...

[DirtySouth]

Re: The Swirl Mistery

Swirls can come from quite a few different things, fortunately most of which can be prevented. Basically anytime a piece of dirt/dust/sand...etc gets trapped in between the paint & whatever is touching the paint, you are going to scratch the surface. This is why you want to always use 100% cotton or MF products when touching your paint. They also need to be clean, which means if you drop it on the ground, you better wash it before using it again.

Major Causes:
#1 - Automatic Carwashes.
#2 - Dirty or coarse wash rags/sponge
#3 - Drying with a coarse towel or rag
#4 - Rivets on the back of a girls jeans...

[bronxon]

Hi friends,

Can someone explain me how the swirls marks are created? (always in circles ) I would like to know the physical or chemical origin.

I drive like 2 hours a day in traffic, so boring I have the opportunity watch a lot of different cars. Some of them are new but with swirl marks. How is this possble?

I am just curious about it, and after reading to the forums I got my halogen amp to check for swirl marks

I guess I am getting obsessed with swirls haha

Regards,