I need help with scratches and swirls

[samis]

Hi,

I am very new to detailing cars and I wanted to get rid of all the annoying scratches and swirls that are on my black car. So after reading up on a lot of posts, I decided to give it a go and bought meguiar's clay kit, UC, gold class liquid wax, terry cloth/sponge pads (i couldn't find any "foam" pads), and some microfibre towels. I was wondering if, after the washing and claying, I should start off with the swirlx and then move onto the UC (since we should start with the least aggressive first) or just use UC. I have attached some pics (BTW I haven't washed the car yet) of the swirls and scratches so could someone please tell me exactly what I should do. I personally don't think that something mild like swirlx will get these out.

Another question I have is that after using swirlx or UC, can I go straight to the gold class wax or do I have to polish the car first. I am not really looking for absolute perfection but a nice shiny looking black car is not such a bad thing right.










Thanks for all the input.

[gmitch23]

Re: I need help with scratches and swirls

start with swirlx first like you said. please be aware, using this by hand takes a lot of TIME. it took me an hour just to do the hood of my wife's car and it still wasnt perfect. you have to use multiple applications and a lot of elbow grease. if you have a da, use it. some m07 after swirlx followed by wax really enhances black!
this is my mother in laws car. Note, i did not use swirlx, only cleaner wax followed by mo7 and nxt 2.0

[davey g-force]

Re: I need help with scratches and swirls

You're right, the general rule is to start with the least agressive product first.

But by the looks of those photos, I too don't think SwirlX will cut it. If you like, just do a small test spot with SwirlX just to confirm your thoughts and then move onto UC.

After the UC, a pure polish like M07 is optional. It will improve looks somewhat on a black car. However, you can skip it and move stright onto waxing.

Good luck!

[Murr1525]

Re: I need help with scratches and swirls

You want least agressive first, but just for the test spot/area. Once you see what the test spot needs, you can move on. If the test spot needs the stronger product, then you can use the stronger product over the rest of the car.

Dont do the whole car with a mild product, then need to do the whole car with a stronger product after.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I need help with scratches and swirls

Can't emphasize enough, test spot or spots. then after you have dialed in what works, then do the complete vehicle.

[samis]

Re: I need help with scratches and swirls

Well, another problem I have is that I can't really find swirlx anywhere. It seems that auto parts stores or even stores like wal-mart don't carry swirlx. So, I guess I will have to try a test spot with the UC and how it goes.

Also, would the terry cloth/sponge pads be okay for applying the UC because those are the only pads that I can find in stores over here. Is the "sponge" side of the pad the same as the foam applicators or is it different?

[Murr1525]

Re: I need help with scratches and swirls

I am sure you wont have trouble going straight to UC in this case. You can always apply it more gently or more passionately as well.

Not sure about the applicators, have not seen that kind. Really dont want to use terry if possible. For some reason, the Meguiars applicators are hard to find.