Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

[Kyle R]

I have a black 350z that has several swirl marks and small scratches. It needs to be waxed and run over with a clay bar. Here is my plan. I am going to wash it, clay bar it, then wax it. However, I need to implement a product to help remove the swirl marks. What product should I use and when should I implement it into the detail process? Also, what Meguiar's wax would be good to use? Thanks in advance!

[Fly Bye]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

I need to implement a product to help remove the swirl marks. What product should I use

Without knowing the condition of the paint, it's hard to say exactly which product you should use.

Also, what Meguiar's wax would be good to use? Thanks in advance!

I think you'd be happy with just about anything by Meguiars. I give thumbs up to both #26 and the Gold Class waxes. They are both a breeze to use, and give fantastic results

[mb911]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

If you are going to be going by hand, you probably won't be removing many swirls before getting exhausted, so I'd personally just pass on that.

If you get more into detailing later, you could try a DA polisher.

I think you'd love the results of claying and following with the new updated Gold Class. However, for longevity of protection, NXT 2 is always a good choice too. If you want to go with the longevity of NXT 2, you could use a pure polish like #5 or #7 before NXT, to give some of that pop and depth that Gold Class would provide.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

By hand I would start with the swirl-x. By all means do a test spot. You may have to step up to Ultimate compound. But try the test spot with the swirl-x first. Always try the least aggressive product first.

As for wax, any Meguiar's wax will work fine. The choice is yours.

[Kyle R]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

By hand I would start with the swirl-x. By all means do a test spot. You may have to step up to Ultimate compound. But try the test spot with the swirl-x first. Always try the least aggressive product first.

As for wax, any Meguiar's wax will work fine. The choice is yours.

Should I do this before I clay bar the car?

[CHzo6]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

You want to wash, clay, then use the swirl-x, then wax.

[Kyle R]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

You want to wash, clay, then use the swirl-x, then wax.

Ok, will do. Thanks!

[Fly Bye]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

By all means do a test spot. You may have to step up to Ultimate compound. But try the test spot with the swirl-x first. Always try the least aggressive product first.

[Kyle R]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

I just got back from advanced auto parts. I picket up the clay bar kit, Gold class carnauba plus wax, three applicator pads, Meguiars ultimate compound, and a few terry towels. I went to the ultimate compound because a few months back, I tried to remove the swirl marks with a Meguiars swirl remover ( I do believe it was swirl x) and it really didn't do too much. After seeing some before and after pictures, I decided to give it a go. I'm going to try all of these out tomorrow night. First wash, then clay bar, then the ultimate compound, then wax, correct? Thanks again for all of the help.

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

You see the Swirl Remover 2.0 around on occasion, it is much milder than SwirlX and much much much milder than UC.

And yes, that is a good order. Remember to do a spot/panel with the UC, then stand back and get a good look at it, make sure things are going well before doing the whole car.

[akimel]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

I just got back from advanced auto parts. I picket up the clay bar kit, Gold class carnauba plus wax, three applicator pads, Meguiars ultimate compound, and a few terry towels.

DON'T USE THE TERRY CLOTH TOWELS ON YOUR BLACK CAR! You'll regret it. Trust me.

Purchase some high quality microfiber towels. You'll need to order them online. You'll be much happier with dozen of Megs' Supreme Shine towels. And when you place your online order, order a half-dozen or more foam applicators, too.

[Kyle R]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

DON'T USE THE TERRY CLOTH TOWELS ON YOUR BLACK CAR! You'll regret it. Trust me.

Purchase some high quality microfiber towels. You'll need to order them online. You'll be much happier with dozen of Megs' Supreme Shine towels. And when you place your online order, order a half-dozen or more foam applicators, too.

Thanks for the advice with the terry cloth, ill go return them tomorrow. When I looked at them, I thought they could scratch the surface of the paint, but on the back of the meguiars kit i bought, it said ti use a terry cloth. Ill go pick up a few more application pads and microfiber towels tomorrow.

[FRS]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

DON'T USE THE TERRY CLOTH TOWELS ON YOUR BLACK CAR! You'll regret it. Trust me.

Purchase some high quality microfiber towels. You'll need to order them online. You'll be much happier with dozen of Megs' Supreme Shine towels. And when you place your online order, order a half-dozen or more foam applicators, too.

+1

It may inflict further swirls.

Foam applicators + mf towels = way to go

[Kyle R]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

Just out of curiosity, how often do you guys clay bar and wax your cars? After this, I am hoping to get out a descent amount of the swirl marks with the ultimate compound and waxing. I don't want them to reappear, so I am willing to wax it often as needed. Every three months? I wash my car every week or two.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Swirl marks? New to detailing and need help!

You only clay bar when necessary. The time between full waxes varies with the environment, amount of upkeep, technique, etc. Generally, when QD or UQD becomes a little more difficult to wipe off then it is time to rewax.

If you use proper technique when washing or QDing then the swirl marks you removed should not reappear. Remember to use two buckets when washing a car, a rinse bucket and a wash bucket. Soap solution in one and fresh water in another. Look in the Meguiars Quik Tips video series in the How-to-Videos section of the forum for proper technique on several car care items.