Swirl-X Help

[Black Max]

I am a new member in search of some help. I have a 2007 Silverado that is the horrid color of black. I have some serious swirls and cloudiness in my paint so i tried Swirl-X. I hand applied it with minimal pressure. I did have a tough time removing it but finally got it off. It seems to have taken some of the swirls out but left it real cloudy. I then used the NXT 2.0 wax and it helped a little but still real cloudy and now a month later it is still cloudy but the swirls are back. Should I start over with a clay bar and Stage 1 cleaner, then use the Swirl-X ? Please Advise

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirl-X Help

I have a 2007 Silverado that is the horrid color of black.

Hmmmmm...... we'll let that comment go this time around

You mentioned applying SwirlX with minimal pressure, and that it was hard to remove. Did you let it dry? As with any of our paint cleaners, compounds and compounds you should NOT allow the product to dry on the surface. It only does its job when being physically worked against the paint, and allowing it to dry will only make removal difficult.

Minimal pressure, unless you're working on very soft paint, most likely isn't going to get you the results you're looking for. In order to remove swirls you need to level the surrounding paint. Not by much at all, but it still takes some energy to do so. Try doing a test spot of perhaps 2' x 2' but use a fair amount of pressure when applying the product and work it for several minutes, but wipe it off while still wet. You should end up with a fairly thin film on the surface just before removal rather than a heavy, creamy coat still present. Working on a black vehicle can create the potential for creating a light haze or even inflicting new scratches if you choose the wrong applicator. Terry cloth can have some bite of its own and we have seen cases where a vigorous application of a paint cleaner with a terry applicator has hazed the paint, even when removing the scratch or other defect. This is a function of the interaction between the applicator and paint and not due to the SwirlX. Try using a foam wax applicator pad like our X3070 - basically the pad that is supplied with Gold Class Wax and NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. This pad will ensure that only the SwirlX is working against the paint and will prevent you from causing a hazing of the paint. Use clean, quality microfiber towels to remove the excess product.

You mentioned that a month later the swirls are back. How was the vehicle maintained during this time? Improper wash technique is the single most common cause of swirls, so even if you create a perfectly flawless finish today, running that vehicle through an automatic car wash a couple of times, or using old towels to dry it will inflict a fresh collection of swirls. Proper wash technique is every bit as important as proper defect correction technique.

[Black Max]

Re: Swirl-X Help

I have been busy and I let some Mobile car washers come by my office to wash my truck lately and from your helpful quick response this seems to be my washing problem. I will start doing my own washing from now on. I dry my truck with a chamois does this cause fine scratches? Should I start over with a good claying then a cleaner? Would a DA help? Thanks so much for your help

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirl-X Help

Claying is only going to help with above surface bonded contaminants and won't address any swirls or other below surface defects. Of course, if you have a lot of bonded contaminants that are causing the surface to feel rough to the touch, you do want to get that out of the way before using a paint cleaner and wax. Both will be more effective and easier to use without all those bonded contaminants in the way. A quick evaluation of the surface after washing and drying the vehicle will tell you if needs claying - the paint should feel literally as smooth as glass; if it's rough then definitely clay it first.

SwirlX is a paint cleaner and essentially has replaced the phased out Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint Cleaner. This would be the correct product choice to follow the clay step. Given that you're working on a full sized truck a G110 D/A buffer would most likely be a huge help to you. It won't get tired, it will work more uniformly over a given area, and it has the power to get rid of more severe defects over a wider area than you can by hand. When applying wax it is so easy to lay down a nice thin, uniform coat with the G110 as well.

As for those mobile car washers.......some are OK, some are a long way from OK, and there's a big difference between a mobile car wash service and a mobile detailer. Sound like you'll be better off washing your Silverado on your own. You may also find the Water Magnet microfiber drying towel to be more gentle on your paint than a chamois is. Chamois are highly absorbent but they have no nap to them so there's no place for an errant little bit of dirt to go but against/into the paint. The Water Magnet solves that issue by pulling those little traces of scratch inducing particles into the weave of the towel as they absorb water from the surface.

[Black Max]

Re: Swirl-X Help

Thanks so much. Now its time for me to get to work on my chevy.