Swirl X and Scratch X Update

[hmeister]

Hi everyone...

Just wondering if anyone out there can comment on my Lincoln Continental.
I got this car about a month ago (37k miles!) and started final preping the paint.
I clayed the car twice now as the first pass using clay, the car was really contaminated and I ran out of clean clay!. All horizontal surfaces, hood top and trunk were loaded.

If I am following the Meguires 5 step process, I am really only at step 2 and I ran into some issues trying to remove the swirl marks.
I purchased some foam yellow pads and used them on my first attempt to remove the swirls. I started on the hood doing small sections and burnished the Swirl X into the finish and polished with a micro fiber before the product completly dried.

I still had swirls after my first pass using Swirl X on the hood so I reviewed the forum section on using Scratch X by hand and made a second pass on the hood.
The paint swirling is better and about 40% better but I am wondring if I can get better results? Should I invest in a DA buffer or try another pass?
Thank you...

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirl X and Scratch X Update

Was it ScratchX 2.0?

How did you apply them, meaning how much passion? Did it look like this:

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

Also, you certainly should expect more than 1 application either way. And the Ultimate Compound is the strongest product by hand, if you needed it.

[hmeister]

Re: Swirl X and Scratch X Update

Was it ScratchX 2.0?

How did you apply them, meaning how much passion? Did it look like this:

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

Also, you certainly should expect more than 1 application either way. And the Ultimate Compound is the strongest product by hand, if you needed it.

Hi...

Yes, it is ScratchX 2.0.
Thanks for the link - I don't think I was agressive enough and I burnished the product to where it started drying in small areas. Then buffed with Maguiers microfiber.
After looking at the video, I don't think I have enough passion ( ) in the pad.

I will try again tomorrow...

Thanks for the tips...

[Brook]

Re: Swirl X and Scratch X Update

For what it's worth...

I tried Scratch-X by hand on my new Stormy Blue Mica MX5 to remove some light swirl marks (after using Swirl-X (again, by hand and with only moderate success)) and frankly, it didn't do much, so I wan't impressed.

Hope springs eternal so I bought a DA polisher and decided before using it on my new car (since I have NO experience at detailling at all, particularly with a "power tool") to practice last night on my 2001 dark green Saturn that has a boatload of ugly swirl marks, scratches, and is beginning to have dull finish on it.

I used an orange abrasive Lake Country pad with Scratch-X and used the DA on the trunk lid, doing half the lid in five minutes. I was absolutely blown away by the amazing results. I was so shocked at how well it worked I had to call my wife out to see the before and after sections. She was likewise amazed.

The bottom line? Based on my brief experience these products work much, much better with a DA than they do using hand application.

[hmeister]

Re: Swirl X and Scratch X Update

For what it's worth...

I tried Scratch-X by hand on my new Stormy Blue Mica MX5 to remove some light swirl marks (after using Swirl-X (again, by hand and with only moderate success)) and frankly, it didn't do much, so I wan't impressed.

Hope springs eternal so I bought a DA polisher and decided before using it on my new car (since I have NO experience at detailling at all, particularly with a "power tool") to practice last night on my 2001 dark green Saturn that has a boatload of ugly swirl marks, scratches, and is beginning to have dull finish on it.

I used an orange abrasive Lake Country pad with Scratch-X and used the DA on the trunk lid, doing half the lid in five minutes. I was absolutely blown away by the amazing results. I was so shocked at how well it worked I had to call my wife out to see the before and after sections. She was likewise amazed.

The bottom line? Based on my brief experience these products work much, much better with a DA than they do using hand application.

Hey, that is great news. Which DA did you buy?
I am heading in the same direction as you - Buy a DA. I was thinking on buying the Meguiars unit and re-approach this issue like you did.
Thx...
Herb