How to get rid of paint swirl?

"PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power" (petarvn)
08/05/2015 at 16:51 • Filed to: None

So, my GLI is always kept as clean as a whistle, and waxed so often that Madame Tissot’s museum of wax could have made 150 sculptures of Betty white with the wax I used. But even with all that hard work, my paint is plagued with this:

Yep. Many circular swirls in the paint, left there by the jackass who owned this car before me.

My question to you guys is: how do I get those out of my paint? I’m looking for exact tools and products I’d need.

Links would be helpful too!

Picture of 2 GLI’s for your time

DISCUSSION (16)

DrScientist > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 16:58

go to

https://www.detailersdomain.com/

and read up. there’s lots of good info there, plus before/after and side-by-side photos and videos.

no affiliation.

Svend > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 17:14

Will you be using a polisher (rotary or DA)? What pads do you have?

Pretty much any cutting polish with a firm pad on a rotary will remove those swirls followed up with a regular polish on a finishing (soft) pad.

The sorry thing is, must swirls are inflicted in the washing and drying stages so minimal physical contact with the car is required.

Rico > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 17:17

autogeek.net and their forum autogeekonline.net are great resources. Long story short you need to polish the car with a DA Orbital such as a Griot’s Garage 6 polisher. You’ll need to use a combination of polishing compounds such as Meguiars M105 followed by M205 or Menzerna FG400 followed by Menzerna SF4000.

Basically you will polish the swirls/micro abrasions with something that has a deep cut M105/FG400 with a medium cutting pad then polish to a fine glossy finish with M205/PF4000 on a polishing pad.

That or you can pay a detailer $150-$300 to do all of this for you and hand wash it with 2 buckets every time after that to lessen the chances of inducing swirls. If you don’t want to dive deep into the world of polishers and compounds I suggest paying a detailer to do it.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Svend
08/05/2015 at 17:21

I have no polisher and no pads. That’s why I posted this. I am a total noob and would love if you, a professional, can give me a rundown of what I exactly needed :)

AM3R shamefully returns > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 17:22

I’m dealing with the same thing. Ordered a griots garage DA polisher ($150). Was supposed to come in yesterday but now I’m not gettin it until next week :(

Just watch some of the DRIVE clean videos about polishing, lots of great info.

Svend > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 17:55

Okay. Wasn’t sure if you had anything already but no worries.

As a newb I think you’ll be wanting to look at a DA polisher. A Dual Action polisher is a great all rounder and great for training on as they can be quite forgiving. Look out for deals on kits such as below:-

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/car-care-kits/…

http://www.shopnshine.co.uk/machine-polish…

Kinja'd!!!

Kit Contains

DAS6 Pro Dual Action Polisher

Carry Case

Menzerna Fast Gloss 400 250ml

Menzerna Power Finish 2400 250ml

Menzerna Super Finish 4500 250ml

Chemical Guys Orange Hex-Logic Pad 5.5”

Chemical Guys Green Hex-Logic Pad 5.5”

Chemical Guys Black Hex-Logic Pad 5.5

It contains everything you need to get going from a cutting pad to finishing pad from cutting compound to finishing polish.

Additional items will be:-

Many microfibre cloths,

Panel wipe to remove polishing oils,

Polishing tape to tape off plastic areas and window rubbers which can be a PITA to clean if you get polish on them,

Ideally a scrap panel such as a bonnet/hood to practice on to get comfortable in what your doing before doing your own car,

and patience. You will want to get it over and done with as soon as possible and start to rush, you rush and don’t get the results you had wanted and so then have to go back and start again.

Also have a look to see where you can change your washing method such as introducing a prewash such as a citrus wash or snow foam to help soften and remove more dirt before you physically start washing with a wash mitt, etc...

spentaLS1 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 18:37

I just recently started getting into polishing my own car so I’m a noob as well. I bought a harbor freight Dual action polisher for $57 and it works well to get out swirls and even some deeper scratches, although I wish I had waited since Woot has a sale going on right now on a WEN dual action polisher for $65.

http://tools.woot.com/offers/wen-vor…

jkm7680 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 18:45

Check out the local auto parts store, consult a professional or just go with a polisher and some compound.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/05/2015 at 23:31

Whatever you try, do it to a small non important area first. bumper

Have you been using a cleaner wax or just protectant wax or quick detailer ?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Svend
08/06/2015 at 02:57

sir. thank you. you are a very good source of info, I greatly appreciate it! :)

Svend > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/06/2015 at 03:11

No worries. Happy to help. If you need any help or anything just ask, I’ll either have an answer or be able to direct you to finding one.

Detailing can be an expensive hobby (sorry scratch that, IS an expensive hobby) so the more assistance you get the less it'll impact on your wallet because it is very addictive.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Svend
08/06/2015 at 03:13

oh trust me, I know. my arms are sore from all the waxing I did today (I washed and waxed the whole thing today....)

and yeah, i'll make a post paging you if I need anything! again thanks for the help man! If you're ever in Seattle in the US, and need transportation, feel free to let me know you're here! :P

Svend > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/06/2015 at 03:30

That’s why I stick with sealants, less hard work and longer durability. I have my favourites but I try the new ones as they come about to see what else is happening. The last two years have been a really exciting time for detailing.

Will do. I had intended to visit the Seattle area (E,burg out to the east) as I had a friend there but she’s with someone else now so it would be awkward to pop in.

Take care fella.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Svend
08/06/2015 at 03:36

they really have... I’ve watched almost all of the AMMO NYC videos on drive clean :P

and cool! if you do, consider me as your local driver :P

take care as well man!

Axial > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/06/2015 at 04:16

Meguiar’s Ultimate Polish and a generic applicator pad will take care of it, no need to go crazy on the detailing equipment just yet. My car (C4 Corvette) is small enough that I can reasonably do it all by hand, and I don’t have an orbital.

Woke Up In A New SRT > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/19/2015 at 22:18