CAMJAG

iTrader: (34)

What would be the best product to remove the swirl marks and all other fall out to make the paint look flat again?

Also by hand or machine?

bboyferal

iTrader: (9)

Only by machine, and only if you're lucky at that... A PC with some cutting pads and aggressive cutting polishes...

If not, a Rotary Buffer with some aggressive compounds/cutting polishes done by an expert familiar with such a buffer...

If not, a nice wet sand of the car's exterior followed by all appropriate steps afterward by someone who has donw it before...

If that still doesn't do it , THEN there is no hope... Only a repaint.

CAMJAG

iTrader: (34)

I can use a machine, used to do it when I worked at a body shop, we used 3M products but id just rather use something off the shelf. I know Megiures has all those profeshional products but theres just so many to choose from. Its just light swirl marks from washing, car only has 35k on it and its black. I just want to get it back to when I first got the car with 5K miles on it

bboyferal

iTrader: (9)

REALLY light swirl marks, then?

Maybe Scratch X?

CAMJAG

iTrader: (34)

Yea I have read about that. I will try it out and see if it does the job, or I will go to something abrasive becuase I want them gone and not just hidden. You can only see the swirl marks in the sun

ls199camaro

I believe ScratchX only fills the scrathces in. Look at Tropi-Care.com, they are a sponser. They have nice packages including a PC with pads and and a swirl cutter. They were running a special not sure if it is still going on. PC is going to be the best way to go.

Trent

iTrader: (3)

Couldn't agree more. Most products will only fill it in and then within another few washes or waxes, the same marks are back. Using a product such as Tropi-Cares Swirl Cutter will actually eliminate them from the paint completely. I use their products exclusively in my detailing business and have for several years now. Can't go wrong w/ TC.

bboyferal

iTrader: (9)

^ I agree, but I think he wants to see if he has any luck with something off the shelf and by hand...

I'll be honest, I used Scratch X once and it worked, but my swirls were VERY minor, invisible in the sun and BARELY visible in strong artificial light... For this, there's no point in firing up a PC.

99ccz28

iTrader: (6)

He has a black car though, sooner or later he is going to need a PC. Just get it now and do it right the first time then you will have everything you need next year to do it again.

CAMJAG

iTrader: (34)

Yea black does suck. Ill look into the tropi care products. Would anyone recomend the Meguars Professional (mirror glaze) products. Id rather just go down to the parts store and pick somethig up

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Another vote for Tropi-Care. Their TC-8 Swirl Cutter does an excellent job. Finishes down to a very fine powder that doesn't tend to stick to everything.


-Mike

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

I like Menzerna Intensive polish followed by Final Polish. It doesn't fill the scratches but actually smoothes and reduces them.

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

Merzerna IP and FP2 combo is great.

Gipraw

iTrader: (10)

Scratchx is not a filler .. it is an abrasive that will remove light swirling and scratches when used by hand. It is a good choice if you have a couple of little spots to do.

If you plan on doing the whole car by hand, then Tropi-care TC-8 is a great choice for removing light swirls.. Their TC-3 is also a great choice for a sealant to finish it off with.


I would recommend picking up a DA from Tropi-care, along with some pads, their TC-8 and TC-3.

then:

wash
clay
!swirls
seal
wax
admire

95greenZ

iTrader: (2)

another vote for menzerna and pc.

BatmobileSS

iTrader: (8)

Tropicare TC-8 did the trick for me. I used it with a PC and had excellent results.

NightWindDriftr

iTrader: (4)

A Meg's #83/80 (DACP/speed glaze) combo, from the Mirror Glaze line, works very well and is proven. My personal experience with Tropicare's swirl cutter is slightly favorable over #83 - it's more abrasive and more effective than #83 at cutting with a PC at 5+, but it has poor persistence (consumption of compound is pretty high!) over #83, and is easy to end up dry buffing if you're inexperienced.

Do try an #83/80 combo, and if you're pleased, "step up" to Tropicare to cut down on buffer time.

bboyferal

iTrader: (9)

Meguiars no. 83/80/7 Show Car Glaze/sealant combo has done the job for me many times!

Gipraw

iTrader: (10)

what are you using as protection when you do that? nothing you listed there is a sealant..

bboyferal

iTrader: (9)

Well, I wrote the word "sealant" because I'll use any I have around... 20/21/NXT.

I actually want to shop soon for new sealants/waxes.