Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

[FordFairmontAU2000]

Which Meguiars product is best to remove swirls on a Ford Fairmont AUII 2000?

The swirl marks are only noticably when under the sun.

When I run my nails across the paint, it doesn't get stuck, so I assume it is not that deep.

The paintwork is dark green with a clear coat.

Which product is best?

- Swirl X
- Scratch X 2.0
- Ultimate Compound

My plan was to use Meguiars products in this order:

(1) Gold Class Car Wash
(2) Scratch X 2.0
(3) Gold Class Wax

Any other recommendations from the experts here would be greatly appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Generally, for an entire car by hand, I would do a test area with SwirlX, then just go right to UC if needed.

Of course make sure you are applying the product with some passion:

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

[FordFairmontAU2000]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

does Meguiar's swirl removers actually remove the swirls completely? or does it just minimise it?

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Depends on how bad the problem is, how workable the paint is, how you work the product in.

If it can be removed, it will be.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

It sounds as though the swirls on your Fairmont are the typical swirls that come about over time from washing and drying. How easy or difficult they are to remove, how aggressive of a product you need, is dependent on how hard or workable the paint is, what sort of tools you have available for the defect removal process (hand, D/A, rotary) as well as your skill level and how much time you have to accomplish the task, among other things.

We always recommend using the least aggressive approach to get the job done, but sometimes that gets taken to an extreme. We aren't really suggesting that you go out and buy SwirlX, ScratchX 2.0 and Ultimate Compound and then use them in that order until you find one that works. If you're going to be doing this by hand, by all means go with the Ultimate Compound. Do a test spot first, maybe just 50cm x 50cm, and see what sort of results you get before doing the whole car. You may find a single, fairly gentle application removes the swirls, or you may find you need to use more pressure and work the product a bit longer.

[FordFairmontAU2000]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

yes you are completely right

they are not major swirls just minor ones that most probably happened over time with normal washing

i'm hoping meguiars can make it shine like a mirror!

is this possible?

i'm trying to completely remove all the swirls

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Well, you can share some pics with us for more opinions, but with some effort, it should turn out pretty good.

I dont recall hearing anyone say it was an impossible paint to work on, but never know till you try.

[FordFairmontAU2000]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

how do you insert images on here?
there is an insert image button here but it asks for a url.
is that the only way to show you guys some pics on here? cheers

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Yeah, it works best to upload the pics to your gallery here. Then just get the photo properties, and share that URL with the "yellow mountain" looking thing.

[FordFairmontAU2000]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

here's some pics of the current paintwork and minor swirls

sorry about the quality of the photos
its the best camera i got

based on these photos... which swirl remover product should i use?

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/image_00318.jpg

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/thumbs/image_00323.jpg

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Well, if the swirls are that noticeable in an out of focus shot they must be quite heavy. We would reach for Ultimate Compound for those.

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Be sure to do a test spot with the UC so you learn how to apply it, get your results, etc before doing the whole car and not getting it quite right.

Keep in mind that UC is strong, so you will probably want SwirlX as your mild cleaner in the future anyway.

[FordFairmontAU2000]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

thanks so much for the advice
i'll do a test spot and see how it goes

[Aussie]

Re: Swirls on a Ford Fairmont AU

Hello was just wondering how things are coming along with your Ford? I have the same problems as you do with your paint work. Under certain lights the swirls come out to play. I'm sure thus being the no.1 problem for a lot of people's cars! I have a green Holden (Sorry not a Ford i know hehe) Can't wait to see the results...