SwirlX on clear coat

[EPHIOS]

I understand removing swirls and scratches require removing some clear coat. Using SwirlX or even ScratchX, how much does it take out, each time you use it? How many times use these paint cleaners, until I reach the LIMIT (I'll be removing the base coat)? Thanks!

[yalerd]

Re: SwirlX on clear coat

Exactly I can't tell you how much.
Read this thread, even though the exact product like SwirlX but you'll have an idea and great reference.

How much paint are you removing.

On a personal note, I've polished my car several times (like 7), including using M105 (the most aggressive product Meguiar's has) and 3 times it's been buffed on paint shop (they are very aggressive most of the time) and my car hasn't shown any signs of clear coat failure.

[Murr1525]

Re: SwirlX on clear coat

Another factor with a product like SwirlX is how agressively you apply it.

You can apply it gently for regular cleaning, or with more passion for removing swirls, scratches.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: SwirlX on clear coat

SwirlX is pretty mild, and especially if you're applying it by hand, you really don't need to worry about going through your clear coat even after years of use. Now, if you sit there and scrub one area for 20 minutes with everything you've got, you might have an issue. But that's what's known as "user error"!! Seriously, with proper use, even a couple of times a year, you've got nothing to worry about.

The article that Francis linked to is a great one for understanding how aggressive you need to be in order to really start removing a measurable amount of paint. To understand things a bit more, read through THIS article talking about Total Cut, or the variables involved in determining just how aggressive a given product will or won't be.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: SwirlX on clear coat

i second everything Mr. Stoops has said....

evaluate the defects and then make a well educated decision on what type of product, pad, machine or hand, you want to use...use it, get the job done and stop...i've noticed some unexperienced people keep buffing and buffing when their swirls are already gone...so in simple words, get the defects out, and Stop...protect the finish and enjoy

[searle]

Re: SwirlX on clear coat

As well, understand that you will NOT be removing all the surrounding surface clearcoat down to the level of the bottom of all scratches or swirls, you will just be taking off the sharp corner edge of the swirls/scratch groove since that edge is what catches the light and makes the defect visible. A little smoothing/rounding of that edge and the defect becomes almost invisible. In essence very little clearcoat (just the edge of the scratch groove) typically gets removed.

That is why a light hand application of swirl remover is both effective at "removing" swirls and yet does not remove hardly any clearcoat.