[kobechrome]

I'm not really into DIY but this one swirl mark on my hood is my own stupidity. I detailed my car professionally the week after I got it and the detailer did an awesome job. Over the last week or so, the car has gotten dusty so I idiotically used a sheepskin mitt DRY to wipe off some dust on small spot on the hood.

Well - now there are swirl marks where I wiped with the dry mitt. It's not deep and it's only noticeable in the sunlight under pretty close scrutiny but nonetheless it bothers me. Lesson learned. Now my question is how do I fix this?

Has anyone used Meguiar's scratch X?

Regardless, I'm a complete noob with detailing so any help would be appreciated. I assume the spot where the swirl mark should be washed and cleaned first? Then how do I apply the scratch x? With a MF towel? How do I buff it out or wipe it off? With the same towel?

Thanks in advance.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Generally speaking, removing swirls by hand is almost impossible. You can try scratch X to see how it will do. I've personally never used it so I can't tell you how good (or bad) it is.

[SCA]

Get ready to be a slave to SG.

Follow what David said. Go to a 2-3 bucket wash system. Keep those sheepskin mitts really clean. Best to remove the nozzle on the hose and let the water sheet off (less to dry) Blot the car dry with a WW MF towel (decent quality).

More than likely you are going to have to use a aggressive polish to remove those swirls. Start off with the least aggressive polish and move up if needed. BTW, avoid any polish with fillers in it as it will just temporally hide the swirls. Apply a decent glaze to hide the remaining swirls left that were not removed, and seal or wax and or both.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by SCA

Get ready to be a slave to SG.

Follow what David said. Go to a 2-3 bucket wash system. Keep those sheepskin mitts really clean. Best to remove the nozzle on the hose and let the water sheet off (less to dry) Blot the car dry with a WW MF towel (decent quality).

More than likely you are going to have to use a aggressive polish to remove those swirls. Start off with the least aggressive polish and move up if needed. BTW, avoid any polish with fillers in it as it will just temporally hide the swirls. Apply a decent glaze to hide the remaining swirls left that were not removed, and seal or wax and or both.

Good advice. Just wanted to throw in my two cents with regards to applying a glaze over a sealant. I would not do this as the sealant will not bond to the glaze thus compromising (shortening) its durability.

[kobechrome]

Thanks for the advice guys.

What's the best applicator to use for applying polish? MF?

[KL2DC]

kobechrome: Ouch! on the swirls ... was told/hoping that SG won't be that much of a pain as compared to the Mystic/Monaco Blues (second/third choice, first being arctic), looks like I have to be more anal in the car's upkeep (once it arrives)...sucks as I am lazy guy who lives in a condo with no dedicated car washing facility . Where do you got for detailing / hand wash and how much do they charge ... ?

[kobechrome]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

kobechrome: Ouch! on the swirls ... was told/hoping that SG won't be that much of a pain as compared to the Mystic/Monaco Blues (second/third choice, first being arctic), looks like I have to be more anal in the car's upkeep (once it arrives)...sucks as I am lazy guy who lives in a condo with no dedicated car washing facility . Where do you got for detailing / hand wash and how much do they charge ... ?

LOL... I'm just as lazy and I live in a condo right now too (moving soon though to a TH with a garage).

Anyway - Yates Car Wash/Detail in Alexandria (off Route 1) does an excellent job with the hand wash and wax. They use carnuba wax, not Zaino or synthetic waxes though. I went over the car like a hawk afterwards and they did an excellent job. Could not find one swirl mark. They use sheepskin mitts and MF towels. Wash/Wax is $95.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by kobechrome

Thanks for the advice guys.

What's the best applicator to use for applying polish? MF?

Terry convered foam applicators will have a bit more bite than just a plain old foam applicators. I've actually never tried MF with a polish so I don't know how well it will work.

[KL2DC]

Kobe: Thanks for the info... http://www.yatescarwash.com/ ... the place is like 10 mins from where I am (395 & King) and the prices are reasonable...furthermore they have your endorsement.

Thinking of going for the buff & wax the first week I get my car...

[ga-bmwdrvr]

Just a thought, but if they put a heavy coat of carnauba you might be seeing streaking after wiping with the mitt. Try some quick detailer with a MF, it might work.

[mds82]

my car was looking pretty bad and By HAND i used Zaino ZPC and it got rid of everything!!! i just used a thick cotton covered foam pad and worked on the hood for a while. I think this route is very safe...

[kobechrome]

Originally Posted by mds82

my car was looking pretty bad and By HAND i used Zaino ZPC and it got rid of everything!!! i just used a thick cotton covered foam pad and worked on the hood for a while. I think this route is very safe...

When you say it was looking pretty bad - are you referring to swirl marks?

[SCA]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Good advice. Just wanted to throw in my two cents with regards to applying a glaze over a sealant. I would not do this as the sealant will not bond to the glaze thus compromising (shortening) its durability.

I'm sorry, you are correct.

BTW, I use a Porter Cable orbital buffer with foam pads. I intially applied and removed AIO to my car via MF towels.

In order to remove the improper wash marring/swirls I have I am going to use Pooryboys SSR1, SSR2, SSR2.5 (starting with the least aggressive), then I'll follow with some AIO and possibly SG, I haven't really decided yet.

[mds82]

yes, i had a lot of swirl marks all over my hood. a cat kept sitting on my hood especially when it was dirty. the dirt was just rubbing on the car from the weight of the cat sliding. needless to say it was a 16 lb cat and it loved to walk up the car, sit down, wiggle around, then walk off. there were swirl marks all over. but the Zaino ZPC took care of it.

[obLu]

I'm following the new 'guy with a kid' detailing method on my new SG. Try to pay as little attention as possible to the swirls, wash it as well as I can, and then get it polished twice a year by a detailing shop.

It's working great so far.

[BMW786]

I used the Meguiar's Scratch X to try and get this damaged area on my paint fixed. That sh*t don't work.

[mds82]

i'm telling you, a little LTC, and Zaino ZPC...

[Muttley]

Check this site out man.... good tips....

http://www.properautocare.com/removingswirls.html

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by kobechrome

I'm not really into DIY but this one swirl mark on my hood is my own stupidity. I detailed my car professionally the week after I got it and the detailer did an awesome job. Over the last week or so, the car has gotten dusty so I idiotically used a sheepskin mitt DRY to wipe off some dust on small spot on the hood.

Well - now there are swirl marks where I wiped with the dry mitt. It's not deep and it's only noticeable in the sunlight under pretty close scrutiny but nonetheless it bothers me. Lesson learned. Now my question is how do I fix this?

Has anyone used Meguiar's scratch X?

Regardless, I'm a complete noob with detailing so any help would be appreciated. I assume the spot where the swirl mark should be washed and cleaned first? Then how do I apply the scratch x? With a MF towel? How do I buff it out or wipe it off? With the same towel?

Thanks in advance.

Kobechrome...read My Thread regarding swirl marks/micro scratches. I had them pretty bad after using a claybar, and I doubt you're situation is any worse, but the point is, I got rid of the marks very simply using 2 coats of Zaino Z-5, followed by a coat of Zaino Z-2Pro. I'm sure, whatever you did using the mitt is completely rectifiable using Zaino. The suggestion to use Zaino's ZPC...good if you don't get them out using my above suggestion first.

Fletch!

[hunt55]

Like Fletch, I have used Zaino Z5 with ZFX (2 coats) followed by Z2 to remove swirls and scratches on monoca blue 06 325i. Use a typical degreaser dishwashing soap like dawn the first time you apply Zaino (Don't use dawn for normal washing. Use Zaino Z7). Car looks great! Easy to remove dust with Zaino Z6.

[mikepinkerton]

You guys have me worried that if i even look at my car funny or hold the steering wheel wrong I'll get microscractches and swirls that will take a full stripping of the paint to fix. How can the paint on these cars be so easily messed up?!

-Mike

[KL2DC]

kobechrome: Funny story, went over to yates car wash last weekend and was not able to be accomodated for the hand wash that day. I was about to drive away (car was looking dusty) when my wife and my friend were going on and on about how silly I was to be so particular. They pointed out to the sign that said "brushless car wash" and the expensive cars coming out of the wash so against my better judgement I went back in line for the $22 Ultimate wash. As I went into the corridor with the window looking into the wash line I nearly had a heart attack the wash wasn't 'touchless' as I thought 'brushless' meant...it had those huge curtains of rubber thingys beating on my then 1 week old pride and joy on wheels... I just about threw a tantrum right then and there but managed to keep my cool. All the while my wife and friend were trying to console and reassure me that my worries were unfounded. Well I knew better...when I drove back I saw deep microscratches on the trunk lid and some smaller blemishes on the hood, sides and roof

SO...and to maintain relevancy on this thread, looks like I have to go back and do the $145 buff and wax job ... that should remove those scratches...wouldn't it??? Relating to your post and fletcher969's...the SG paint is quite sensitive and high-maintenance.

Also moral of the story is, if it doesn't feel right then don't do it...screw the wifey and friend