Still getting swirls

[Selectchoice]

Re: Still getting swirls

Why not just do a small test section?

Correct it with your DA till it's perfectly swirl free, then wash your car as per normal and check the results. That will save you having to do the whole car. This is a quick way to determine if it's the paint or your process.

[stanclub]

Re: Still getting swirls

I have NXT liquid, but I'm assuming you believe the paste works a little better at hiding?

Haven't tried the liquid one yet, but paste seems to work out better than others I have tried so far. I have tried Ultimate wax paste, liquid, M26 liquid, M20, turtle ice, and turtle shell ( cheap stuff ), and I ended up sticking to NXT paste so far.

I also have Autoglym HD wax which I think it gives better shine than NXT, but it is about $50 for 5.3oz paste $$$$$. I have also tried Collinite 845 just initially, and it looks great also. I might start using it to see how it compares to NXT.

[gmitch23]

Re: Still getting swirls

In my opinion, the NXT 2.0 paste wax seems to hide the minor imperfection on white color paint well.

I have NXT liquid, but I'm assuming you believe the paste works a little better at hiding?

[stanclub]

Re: Still getting swirls

I know how to correct it, but if for some reason it's my washing process that is wrong, I want to know what will hide it until I figure out what I'm doing wrong. Rather than correct it over and over.

In my opinion, the NXT 2.0 paste wax seems to hide the minor imperfection on white color paint well.

[gmitch23]

Re: Still getting swirls

Are you trying to hide it? Or correct it?

I know how to correct it, but if for some reason it's my washing process that is wrong, I want to know what will hide it until I figure out what I'm doing wrong. Rather than correct it over and over.

[BillE]

Re: Still getting swirls

... From personal experience, I used to have a Mazda Miata that was like a trained dog - just say "scratch" and it scratched...

That's funny!

Bill

[stanclub]

Re: Still getting swirls

Are you trying to hide it? Or correct it?

To make the swirl not seen, either you can remove it with DA and compound/polish, then always keep wax on your car to protect the body; Or, you can just wax your car often to hide it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Still getting swirls

Which Meguiars product is best at covering swirls? I ask because I do not want to spend every weekend correcting small swirls with my DA.

Probably M07, but Ultimate Quik Wax can do a surprising job at this too. But really, it's kind of doubtful that you're really the cause of these. We would seriously go ahead and correct the existing swirls now, that way you know for certain that they're gone, then keep maintaining the car like you are. If the swirls immediately start to come back you know that either you're doing something a bit off in your washing/drying process, or the paint is just crazy delicate, which does happen. From personal experience, I used to have a Mazda Miata that was like a trained dog - just say "scratch" and it scratched. I treated that car exactly the same way I treated my daily driver, but I only put about 2500 miles a year on the Miata so I didn't wash it much at all, or otherwise touch it. I was always fighting swirls marks in that car, but in my daily driver almost never.

[gmitch23]

Re: Still getting swirls

I think that is just like Mike said, you were just washing away the glaze to find swirl that was already on the car, but hiding.

Which Meguiars product is best at covering swirls? I ask because I do not want to spend every weekend correcting small swirls with my DA.

[stanclub]

Re: Still getting swirls

I have a friend who work for Benz dealer at east coast, in their detailing department for new cars. He said that they get complaint from time to time for swirl issue on brand new cars that was polished just few weeks ago. They used rotary and 1-step polish, and the guy who work on the car ( my friend ) has no knowledge about detailing. I think that is just like Mike said, you were just washing away the glaze to find swirl that was already on the car, but hiding.

[DeadlySheds]

I think you also have to realize that it doesn't matter how careful you are, if you touch the paint with anything, you'll get a few swirls here and there. It could always be worst, you could have chosen black (I made that mistake and have been dealing with it since).

[gmitch23]

Re: Still getting swirls

Ok thanks Mike. I will correct them to make sure its not me. Yes, i hand wash my mit and towels when done. Maybe I should use the washer? I just hate to already begin leveling paint on a car thats a daily driver for my wife. Thanks to you too, Murr and Golden.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Still getting swirls

It's very possible that they were there when you took delivery of the vehicle, but the dealer applied a glaze that concealed them. In your washing process you're simply washing away that glaze and exposing the swirls. Certainly wouldn't be the first time we've seen this. It could also be extremely delicate paint, which we've also seen, although not generally on GM vehicles. Still, with how widely paint systems vary, even within a given manufacturer, we wouldn't be terribly surprised.

If what you're seeing right now are very mild, then an easy once over with the DA should clean things up. From there you can see if subsequent washings really are creating new swirls or not. It does sound like you're doing everything right in your wash process (which hopefully includes washing your wash mitt and drying towel when done, right???) so we really don't think that's the issue. Correct the defects with the DA and take it from there.

[gmitch23]

Re: Still getting swirls

The swirls were never there. I made a point to look. Yes, I have a DA and know how to remove swirls (thank you Megs). Its just that I shouldnt have to already and not often if Im washing it correctly. I feel like im doing more harm than good. Im actuall afraid to wash the car now.

[goldenlight]

I did learn paint correction works best when the weather is cool. Wouldn't use anything stronger then ultimate polish example Meguiars Da with yellow pad.