ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

[Flet]

This forum is great, and there is lots of information, and yet no matter what, until a specific problem comes up you just can't find everything right away. Like a dumb newbie with my new Black Journey, I tried to get rid of the swirl marks with a DAPS and Ultimate Compound...used Ultimate Wax, topped sometimes with Gold Class Carnauba, and regularly use UQD and UQW with multiple microfiber clothes...and yet the darn swirl marks come back. The problem? I guess using a soft simonize brush keeps adding them back...of course I don't figure this out until I got frustrated and looked it up online...so all my work is in vain. It seems too much labour to start it all over again. Options? Anyone know of a good detailer/paint correction recommendation in Halton region of Ontario?

[Top Gear]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

Well, black is tough to get swirl-free and keep it swirl-free. Once corrected, most of the spiderwebs and swirls are very superficial, either in the wax/polish itself, or so shallow as to be gone with a re-wax. However, dusting, washing, wiping, all can bring them back. I keep mentioning it, but a great trick I learned recently is to use UWWA/D115. With its thicker liquid, it hides these "love touches" and replaces QD and QW in terms of daily maintenance. I'll bet that solves your problem

[davey g-force]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

How bad are the swirls?

Chances are if you've corrected it once before, it will only take a light polish with UP or M205, followed by a re-wax to get it back to how it should be.

Then, ditch that brush

[The Guz]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

Props to use for using the DAPS on such a large vehicle. It may be time to invest in a DA to help you accomplish this on your own much faster.

I would agree with Davey and toss that brush aside.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

This.....

How bad are the swirls?

Chances are if you've corrected it once before, it will only take a light polish with UP or M205, followed by a re-wax to get it back to how it should be.

Then, ditch that brush

.... and this.....

Props to use for using the DAPS on such a large vehicle. It may be time to invest in a DA to help you accomplish this on your own much faster.

I would agree with Davey and toss that brush aside.

We fully get that you put a bunch of time into correcting the paint on your Journey and it sounds like you did a really nice job and that you were happy with the outcome. Don't let your mistake of using that brush dissuade you from correcting the finish again. You've got some experience now and the next time around will likely go faster than the first time. Plus, there's the satisfaction of having done it yourself. Don't throw in the towel, just throw away the brush.

[Hoytman]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

Mr. Stoops,

How do you feel about brushes like boar's hair brushes?

I can't justify the price of them an I can't wrap my head around using them on paint, especially blacks. They sure would be handy at times and it seems like they might release dirt in the rinse bucket perhaps better than anything will release dirt. Of course all heavy dirt should be blasted off with a strong stream of water. Wal-Mart is offering 2 types of micro-fiber bonnet mops with telescoping pole that would be handy on trucks and such.

[Flet]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

Thanks guys. Brushes are gone. I needed to vent, cause it really ticked me off. Plus, it was a used vehicle too so I inherited a bunch of pre-swirls. I read somewhere that "owning a black car is a part time job"...that is right. I really love cleaning the car with UQD and UQW and soft microfiber towels. It just feels cool, but the swirls in the sunlight are a drag. My biggest concern is really, how many times can I correct with UC and wear down the clear coat?

[Top Gear]

Re: ARG....darn swirl marks...and dumb newbie

I think of black as requiring, and rewarding, the same level of detail and work that all vehicles should get but often don't

As for how many times you can correct, that is a huge variable. Even with a compound, it could be unlimited. It could also be ruined the first time, if the paint is very soft and the method is too aggressive. Also, clears are deceptive, and can look like damage was done when it wasn't...and vice versa. It just comes down to trying approaches very carefully as you start out and learn how your paint responds.