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How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

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  • #1

    How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

    I can't find alot of info on this. I have successfully removed my swirls from black paint using SwirlX on a yellow Softbuff pad on a PC. Under fluorescent or halogen light it looks perfect. But, under true sunlight, there are what look like very evenly spaced micro-fine swirls. They are so uniform that they almost look like metal flake in the paint, but my paint is gloss black with no metallic. How can I followup and get rid of these?

    Do I need a milder/finer polish? I found some older posts describing these and it seems they are technically called "tick marks". One suggestion to another user was a final pass with no pressure on the pad or a polish used with a no-cut finishing pad.

    I thought of going over again with 205 rather than SwirlX, but have never used it. Is this worth a try, or should I try something like 07 Glaze?

    I'd post pics but these tick marks are so fine they don't show up. But from a few feet away in sunlight, they don't look good.

    Any suggestions?
    2010 Camaro SS RS (black), "OBSSEST"
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

    A pass with no pressure could certainly help.

    Did you find your paint was soft?
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

      It is new GM paint on a 2010 Camaro. I don't have a lot to compare it to but I don't think it's generally recognized as "soft" paint.

      I've now noticed that some areas where I removed scratches have more pronounced tick marks than others. This may be due to the fact that i used the burgundy SoftBuff cutting pad in some spots. Now that I am reading about this pad, it looks like it is no longer recommended for use on a DA, and is "rotary only". Regardless, what do I do now?
      2010 Camaro SS RS (black), "OBSSEST"

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      • #4
        Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

        You do not want to use the cutting pad with the D.A. M07 Show Car Glaze will not fix the problem either.

        I would try M205 and a yellow polishing pad but this time do not go over the whole car with it, but instead do a test spot.
        Nick
        Tucker's Detailing Services
        815-954-0773
        2012 Ford Transit Connect

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        • #5
          Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

          Originally posted by OBSSEST View Post
          It is new GM paint on a 2010 Camaro. I don't have a lot to compare it to but I don't think it's generally recognized as "soft" paint.

          I've now noticed that some areas where I removed scratches have more pronounced tick marks than others. This may be due to the fact that i used the burgundy SoftBuff cutting pad in some spots. Now that I am reading about this pad, it looks like it is no longer recommended for use on a DA, and is "rotary only". Regardless, what do I do now?
          You were using a cutting pad, and a cutting pad can create micro-marring and holograms in your paint. Try going over it again with a finishing pad (black) and M205, or possibly a polishing pad (yellow) if the finishing pad doesn't do the trick.

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          • #6
            Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

            Yeah, go back with a polishing pad.
            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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            • #7
              Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

              We've worked on a couple of 2010 Camaros and the paint has generally responded very well to even fairly light input. If you have M205 then give it a go with a black W9207 finishing pad on speed 4 with moderate pressure. Work the product for several minutes (it will stay wet all day long!) and then ease up on the pressure for a final pass or two. Wipe the area clean with a microfiber towel and then pull the car out into direct sunlight for a critical evaluation of this test spot. We're betting this will correct your problem.

              If you don't have M205 on hand, use SwirlX instead. It may not stay wet quite as long, but it will provide a similar level of cut, or darn close to it.

              In the event your test spot does not show removal of the marring, step up to the W8207 polishing pad with either M205 or SwirlX, but ease up on the pressure with the speed set at 4-5. Again, do a test spot first, right next to your initial test spot.
              Michael Stoops
              Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

              Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

                Originally posted by Michael Stoops View Post

                If you don't have M205 on hand, use SwirlX instead. It may not stay wet quite as long, but it will provide a similar level of cut, or darn close to it.
                Are you saying Swirl X may not be quite as aggressive as M205? Just want to clarify.

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                • #9
                  Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

                  Originally posted by HPaddict View Post
                  Are you saying Swirl X may not be quite as aggressive as M205? Just want to clarify.
                  Technically, SwirlX is probably a touch more aggressive than M205, but it's a close call. Take application process into account (M205 can be used with a rotary buffer, SwirlX is not recommended for use this way) and you can make either one cut a bit more than the other - they are that close. What you might notice most between them, outside of the $35 price of M205 and $9.99 price of SwirlX, is that M205 has a crazy long buffing cycle. SwirlX probably won't stay wet as long as M205, but then again, not much does!
                  Michael Stoops
                  Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                  Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: How do I Remove "tick marks" / PC Swirls?

                    1st M205 with a yellow polish pad
                    2nd M205 with a black finishing pad
                    3rd and final M21 with a black finish pad

                    Take your time the M205 is a finishing polish and even though it is not meant to remove scratches you will be amazed at what it does with fine lines and holograms. Finishing up with M21 and allowing that to sit for a bit will add amazing depth and protection.

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