SwirlX or something else?

[Black_MB]

Hello, I'm new here. I've got minor swirls on my 2008 black Mercedes-Benz. They can be seen on direct sunlight, in cloudy weather are almost invisible. I suppose that these were made in automatic carwash (the previous owner's mistake!), since I wash the car only by hand.
I waxed the car with Gold class, hoping that it would remove something. I'm about to try SwirlX on the whole car, but I’m not sure it is the right product. Would be this the right choice, or should I choose something “lighter”? If my choice would be right, should I follow it with Gold class, or would be good to use in-between product? I only work by hands - don’t have a DA. Remember, it’s a black car so I’m afraid that and under the direct sunlight would look bad.
Thanks guys

[greg0303]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

Instead of applying SwirlX to the entire car I would do a little test spot with it. Vehicle's hood is always a good testing area.

If swirls are minor SwirlX should handle it. To remove them requiers some paint leveling of their surrounding area so some pressure is needed when applying the product. You need to work on a small area at the time, like 50cm x 50cm or even smaller.

If a single application of SwirlX is not enough, but it reduces swirls visably, you can do a second round. If however there's no improvement at all you can step up to more aggressive products like Clear Coat Safe Rubbing Compound (hand only) or Ultimate Compound, but do a test spot first.

Soft foam applicator works well with all paint cleaners.

If you still have some energy left after swirl removal you could apply a pure polish after, like Deep Crystal Polish or M07 Show Car Glaze as an optional step, or you could go straight to wax protection choosing either synthetic (Next Tech Wax 2.0, Ultimate Wax) or natural one (Gold Class Carnauba Plus). Liquid or paste wax will give equally good protection so whichever you personally like better, or have already in stock, go with it.

[Murr1525]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

Mercedes can be tough by hand.

You may need something like Ultimate Compound, and even that may not work well by hand.

But you would follow up either one with Gold Class wax.

[ffboy]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

I think most Mercs (04 onwards) have Nanoceramic (or nanotechnology) on its paint, making it tougher, more scratch resistant and is able to maintain clarity and thickness as it ages (all things equal). Using ultimate compound or worse, swirlX may just barely work on that paint. You may have to go the professional route. Even w140 S-clas mercs have tough paint. A detailer i talked to who was working on a Merc s280 said he had to spend extra time and effort just to effectively cut thru the clear using a wool pad.

Ultimately, your paint issues can be solved. It may just take a bit more time and effort.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

If you have SwirlX in your possession, then by all means give it a try on a small area of the hood. Remember, however, that you do not apply SwirlX like you applied the Gold Class Wax. SwirlX needs some energy behind it during the application process, and you want to apply to just a small area at a time - just 25cm x 25cm at the most if working by hand - and wipe it off before it dries. Further, SwirlX is not a wax so you will have to apply a fresh coat of Gold Class after using it.

If it turns out that SwirlX is not sufficient to remove the swirls, then you may need to step up to something more aggressive, like Ultimate Compound.

As for the hardness of Mercedes paint, we've worked on some that were very straightforward to correct, and others that required a bit more effort. Simply put, they just aren't all the same and can vary quite a bit from model year to model year, and from one model to another.

[ffboy]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

If i may just add, just take your time in removing those dreaded swirls. whether by hand or by machine, you have to work methodically.. And it will still take time time to do a great paint correction process. I would also give ultimate compound a try if i were you. I just got one a few days ago and i love it already

Swirl marks.. everyone hates it, very easy to put in those swirlmarks but very time consuming to remove! it nice if someone can invent a swirl resistant paint..

PS: I've read a related article about paint hardness somewhere in this forum, and yes its about differing paint characteristics coming from the same manufacturer. I think it was about 2 particular models (honda or bmw i think) having different paint hardness. I think the explanation was the cars while having the same brand, may be assemled in different plants/areas, or something in that line.

[Black_MB]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

Thank you all for quick replies. I was a bit concerned about the aggressiveness of the product, since I saw this order:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28407
(Mike Phillips: Aggressiveness Order for New Consumer Products - This will surprise you!)

Since the swirl marks on my car are light, I thought that SwirlX is quite “strong” product and I was about to try something “lighter”.

I borrowed some photos from the internet to show you my problem. So the swirls are not like these:


and not like:



The swirls are or at max. like these (excluding that big scratch!):




But I wish the reflections would be flawless like:


and



So if I understand you guys, SwirlX is not really a very strong product and I should give it a try. I’ll do a test spot first. If the paint is really hard and there will be swirls left after several treatments, I‘ll choose Ultimate compound. As far as I understand, for the maximum gloss & shine, I should use a polish after. I will finish for sure with Gold Class carnauba liquid wax or/and by Mirror Glaze #16 professional paste wax, because I already have these two in stock.

I waxed the car about 3-4 months ago with GC. When I wash it, I can see that the wax is still “working”. Is it OK to just go with SwirX, or should I remove wax first?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

First off, we corrected the issue with your posts being moderated - that was due to linked content and you being a new member. No big deal, our system just holds some of these posts just in case.

Now, even very light swirls on very hard paint can be a challenge to remove. Just know that going in. The pictures you posted of flawlessly corrected paint look to have been done by someone with a fair amount of experience, quite possibly using a D/A buffer or even a rotary. Don't be disappointed if you don't achieve that level of correction/gloss the first time out. There's no magic here, and no magic potion to help you out. The very same products and tools used by these guys to obtain the finish they did in those photos does not mean you're guaranteed the same result. You still have to know how to use them - the products don't do the job on their own. Technique is critical, and it can take some time to master that, even when working by hand.

There's an analogy that I like to use in our Saturday classes: Michael Schumacher won five Formula 1 World Championships in a row driving for Ferrari. It is widely accepted that most of those years his car was clearly far superior to anything else on the grid, but he still had to have the skill to use it properly. Had I been behind the wheel of those cars, I guarantee you that I would have won exactly five fewer championships than he did, regardless of how good those cars were.

[Black_MB]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

I took my time and I did some research on the internet. I am about to order a 3-piece combination: Ultimate compound & SwirlX for swirl removal and #7 Show car glaze for maximum gloss & shine.

I have one (off topic) question left:
For best results I am considering buying a D/A polisher. I found a Kestrel DAS-6, with 150 mm velcro backing plate for a very good price. And now the question: Will Meguiars 7-inch Soft Buff 2.0 finishing/polishing pad fit on 150 mm backing plate?

Many thanks

[greg0303]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

Are you ordering any protection products/ waxes ? You didn't list any.

Meguiar's recommends to use its W68DA backing plate with Soft Buff 2.0 7" pads. It's 5.75" diameter and it makes those pads with recessed backing fit perfectly on top of it. I would just go with W68DA as a backing plate size and quality play a big role in whole detailing system.

When I got my Makita 9227 I immediately replaced the backing plate, which it came with, for Meguiar's W68 for smoother buffing.

I heard some good words about Kestrel DAS-6. It's very popular in UK, Australia and New Zealand. If that backing plate is 150mm, that's briefly 6", it may not fit/ or fit not so well with Soft Buff 2.0 pads.

[Black_MB]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

Thanks for the info.

For protection I am already using Gold Class wax. I have on stock also #16 Professional Paste Wax.

[Black_MB]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

Hello, I’m reporting after some time...

I’ve tried SwirlX and even Ultimate Compound on test spots, but I’ve made just minor improvement... Seems like the paint is really hard.
I purchased a DA polisher (Kestrel DAS6) and Meguiars Soft Buff 2.0 polishing and finishing pad. I’m about to try it as soon as possible :-)

I’ll be doing these steps / with products:
- Gold class car wash
- SwirlX (with polishing pad)
- Ultimate Compound (with polishing pad - only if necessary)
- Show car glaze M07 (with finishing pad)
- Gold class liquid wax (with finishing pad)
- Mirror Glaze M16 paste wax (hand).

I would like to know if Gold class wax is a good choice to put on after Show car glaze M07. Does this wax have any cleaning ability that would swipe off M07’s rich oils?

[AllenB]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

The Gold Class is excellent after 07. I'm not sure about the #16 as I haven't used that product. The only other thing you may be missing is clay if your surface is a little rough.

[Jaws]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

I used ultimate compound on my bimmer, It seemed to help a little. I can tell that all my swirls can't be taken out by hand alone. Try it, but follow up with nxt tech wax or something.

[Black_MB]

Re: SwirlX or something else?

... The only other thing you may be missing is clay if your surface is a little rough.

Yes, I forgot about claying. I’m using Smooth Surface Clay Kit, so the steps would be:
- Gold class car wash
- Clay
- Gold class car wash
- SwirlX (with polishing pad)
- Ultimate Compound (with polishing pad - only if necessary)
- Show car glaze M07 (with finishing pad)
- Gold class liquid wax (with finishing pad)
- Mirror Glaze M16 paste wax (hand).


I’ve got just repainted the hood. I wonder if all the products I listed above are BODY SHOP SAFE? Thanks.