First time swirl/detail

[Iceblade]

Sorry, I incorrectly posted in the wash & wax sticky above, so i created a new thread for my own issue here

Hello, I'm going to be doing my first time detailing/removing swirls from my car and following your product list, I am unable to find SwirlX at any local shops, but there is ColorX and ScratchX 2.0 available.

Would it be recommended to apply ColorX multiple times to remove the light swirling or jump straight to ScratchX and just apply that lightly since ScratchX is rated to be more abrasive than SwirlX?

I'm thinking the best coarse of action would be to buy both ColorX and ScratchX 2.0 and do test spots, because I'm assuming ColorX can level off swirls on the clearcoat when applied enough times. Just wondering what the pros would recommend.

Thank you for your time and advice!

[Alex C.]

Re: First time swirl/detail

If you're after swirls and scratches i'd say go with the ScratchX. Then you can finish out with an application of ColorX. That's a lot of work, best of luck.


Of course, first you'll want to do test spots with each.

[Murr1525]

Re: First time swirl/detail

Test spots of course, but the above is a decent plan

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - ScratchX 2.0
4. ColorX
5. Wax

And then you will be able to just:

1 .Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. ColorX
4. Wax

for future details.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: First time swirl/detail

What are you working on?

Removing swirls, even light swirls out of most clear coat paints by hand is usually more involved than most people think, not trying to shy you away from the job just setting the stage to let you know you're going to want to stick to a dedicated swirl and scratch remover for your first step after washing and claying.

Go with ScratchX 2.0 or even Ultimate Compound. UC offers more cleaning or abrading ability but you don't have to use the product to its maximum potential you can just apply and work it with less pressure and with less time.

When you do start the project, start with a Test Spot.

Doing A Test-Spot


After you dial in your recipe for success, then start working around the car working one small section at a time, about a foot squared or so. Be sure to overlap into the previous section when starting a new section and after finishing each section wipe any residue off the paint as compounds and paint cleaners don't need to dry.


Which products need to dry before removing?

[Iceblade]

Re: First time swirl/detail

Yes, my goal is to eliminate swirls that have been building up through the year that I've had my car.
Thanks for the advice, I will attempt with ScratchX and post the before and after pictures of my results when i'm done!

[Murr1525]

Re: First time swirl/detail

If you feel like scratches/swirls are building up for you, you may want to look at where they are coming from. Otherwise, they will all just come back again.

Washing is usually a main culprit.

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

[Iceblade]

Re: First time swirl/detail

For an entire year, I have been washing my car through the touchless Esso automated car washes. Well, a few weeks ago I did my first detail on my 2008 Civic, here are the attached pictures I managed to take:



The Products I used: Gold class car wash, clay bar kit, ScratchX 2.0, Painter's tape, Touch up paint pen, tire foam shine, tech wax 2.0



Passenger side Door Ding



Bird Dropping



Car after wash



Car after wash side view



Hood Swirls



Hood Swirls 2



Hood Swirls 3



Hood Swirls after 2 applications of ScratchX 2.0



Hood Swirls after 3 applications of ScratchX 2.0



ScratchX 2.0 applied to entire hood



ScratchX 2.0 applied to front bumper



Door ding (sorry, forgot to focus with object)



Door ding after ScratchX 2.0



Door ding outdoor view, and after tech wax 2.0



Minor clearcoat scratches



Minor clearcoat scratches mostly gone after ScratchX 2.0



Forgot what part of the car this picture is of, after wax







All other pictures after wax. I didn't have a metal polisher for the tailpipe.

So this is my first detail, consisted of wash, clay, scratchx 2.0, then wax. I am very pleased with the outcome as everything was done by hand and a time duration of 4-5 hours, it was cut short due to the dust buildup within the week. If there is anything anybody can critique me on, I am open to recommendations for future washes/details

[Murr1525]

Re: First time swirl/detail

For future washes, you can follow up with something like Ultimate Quick Wax.

As far as future details, you can use SwirlX for your general cleaning, and working it in some will also continue to remove swirls.

[newcar2009]

Re: First time swirl/detail

Did you actually use the Touch up paint pen to remove any of the scratches.

[Iceblade]

Re: First time swirl/detail

I didn't use the touch up paint for the scratches, i didn't have any deep ones. All the door dings and minor scratches where able to be removed using scratchX. I did use touchup paint for a rock chip on the front hood, using a toothpick to apply the paint instead of the pen tip onto the chip. Takes a lot longer, but you have more control of how much and where to add the touchup paint. Applied 2 layers, let it dry over 2 days, then clearcoated over the blemish and a little over the paint around the chip to get a complete seal. I haven't gotten around to wetsanding the clearcoat down to the same level as the factory clearcoat yet, but I'll see if I can remember to take pictures when I do get around to doing it