Swirl Marks = Gone
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 27
From: Westminster, CA
Out of curiousity I went ahead and tested the same product as seen on the first post. I have a fairly large Metal, Red, toolbox in my garage that I tested it onto. I followed the directions and applied a small amount of the liquid with a terry cloth onto the surface and began to hand polish the surface. It turns out that the solution takes off some of the paint which I noticed my terry cloth quickly turned red at the spot I used to buff the surface. I went ahead and applied the solution on twice which totally brought out the shine in my toolbox and magically took away some of the smaller/minor swirls that were on the surface.
Here's a quick summary of my findings:
Definately brings out a show quality shine.
Able to remove minor swirl marks.
Slightly eats away at your paint.
Conclusion: I would imagine that it would easily remove swirl marks on your car's clear coat. However, I'm almost certain it'll slowely eat away your clear coat as well. In my opinion I wouldn't want to use this solution too often.
Here's a quick summary of my findings:
Definately brings out a show quality shine.
Able to remove minor swirl marks.
Slightly eats away at your paint.
Conclusion: I would imagine that it would easily remove swirl marks on your car's clear coat. However, I'm almost certain it'll slowely eat away your clear coat as well. In my opinion I wouldn't want to use this solution too often.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,787
From: Lake Forest, CA
To the long post two lines up:
Swirl marks are created by automatic carwashes, not hand-waxing. Unless you drop your wax applicator in dirt and then just keep rubbing.
Then you'll cause some swirl marks.
Swirl marks are created by automatic carwashes, not hand-waxing. Unless you drop your wax applicator in dirt and then just keep rubbing.
Then you'll cause some swirl marks.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 215
ZAINO ALL THE WAY!!! I never used this product until last weekend. I received the Zaino Total Protection Show Car Kit as a gift for X-Mas, but wasn’t able to get to using it because of all the rain So. Cal. was having. I ended up applying 3 layers to my Black Box, and the shine is unbelievable.
I spent today helping my buddy Zaino his black WRX. His paint was pretty bad but Zaino seemed to bring back the luster. It's a bit pricier and labor intensive, but the end result is well worth it.
I spent today helping my buddy Zaino his black WRX. His paint was pretty bad but Zaino seemed to bring back the luster. It's a bit pricier and labor intensive, but the end result is well worth it.
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Scinergy
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 165
From: L.A. CA
Waxing/Swirls
Alright, I might as well throw in my 2cents and say what I think.
Shine and swirls on a Mercedes -vs- Integra -vs- SCION. Its really not possible. One Part of Why a Mercedes has Less Swirls, it cost More And has MANY more Layers of Paint and clear coats than a Integra or SCION.Swirls are caused by Life. Tiny Micro to big granules of dirt and ALL of these: Hand or Machine Wax/Wash,Car Washes, Dirty Sponges/Towels/Brushes ANYTHING.
And TOO much of Anything, including Washing or Waxing your car is not good. And Definetely, the Better you have a car Covered from the elements the better its going to be.
Right now I have friend who has his car in an Open but Covered Carport. So even though the SUN is not beating and Baking down on his car ALL day.
( He lives in the Desert, Temecula CA) He has these BIRDS that fly in LAND and CRAP on the Side View Mirrors ! So even though he is covered , you get the picture.
If he would just Wipe Off the Poo from the mirror without Checking to see How dirty the Mirror was, He`s going to cause Scratches.(* And alot of different types of paint can leave a stain on your cloth if it does not have a Top Coat. The waxing you did on your Tool Box was putting on a Finishing top coat )
So the BEST thing to do is this ; Use Common Sense- Anytime you TOUCH the car ,It and YOU and whatever Touches it should be CLEAN of EVERYTHING. Even your Touch has OILS , so be Careful with that too
And ALWAYS have your car`s paint conditioned and protected
from what Everyday Life is going to bring your car .
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,170
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Riobi
Hello All! I've always wondered if swirl marks are created by waxing? I figure, when applying wax, you're basically buffing it on via hand or machine until the surface is smooth and shiny. However, doesn't the buffing and contact create swirls? I've always been confused about this.
Also, I've seen tons of brand new high rolling Mercedes and what not out on the streets with smooth surfaces to the touch but at certain angles you can see the disease infected swirls. It's always been disturbing in my opinion to see these expensive cars with such flawed paint jobs. My past car was a 96 Integra which I had up until my xB which was about 6 months ago. So I've owned my Integra for over 7 years and the paintjob on that thing was supurb. I've always been affraid to over wax my car for frear of swirls since I've always thought that swirls were caused from rubbing on the surface of your paint from either drying your car with towel, or waxing. Basically, throughout the 7 years I probably only waxed it 2-3 times. I think only twice but I'll just say 2-3. I believe a main factor for the longlasting paintjob is because it's parked inside a garage which definately helps protect it from nature's wrath. I also only washed my car once a month and even every other month if not more. I've always been under the impression that the more you touch (wash, dry, wax..etc) your car, the more swirls and faster your paintjob will fade. I know it's not the right way to take care of a paintjob since I'm probably the only one that's ever done that and actually cared about my car, but it's proven to me that it works.
I've owned my current car (xb) for about 6 months now and washed it a total of 4 times. Right about now it has about as much swirls as my Integra did after 7 years! Don't get me wrong, there's not alot of swirls, just a slight bit here and there. Infact, it probably wouldn't be considered to be a "swirled up" paintjob at all. Very minor swirls nothing that bothers me for the time being.
Anyhow, just wanted to share my experience and would like to know what you guys think.
Also, I've seen tons of brand new high rolling Mercedes and what not out on the streets with smooth surfaces to the touch but at certain angles you can see the disease infected swirls. It's always been disturbing in my opinion to see these expensive cars with such flawed paint jobs. My past car was a 96 Integra which I had up until my xB which was about 6 months ago. So I've owned my Integra for over 7 years and the paintjob on that thing was supurb. I've always been affraid to over wax my car for frear of swirls since I've always thought that swirls were caused from rubbing on the surface of your paint from either drying your car with towel, or waxing. Basically, throughout the 7 years I probably only waxed it 2-3 times. I think only twice but I'll just say 2-3. I believe a main factor for the longlasting paintjob is because it's parked inside a garage which definately helps protect it from nature's wrath. I also only washed my car once a month and even every other month if not more. I've always been under the impression that the more you touch (wash, dry, wax..etc) your car, the more swirls and faster your paintjob will fade. I know it's not the right way to take care of a paintjob since I'm probably the only one that's ever done that and actually cared about my car, but it's proven to me that it works.
I've owned my current car (xb) for about 6 months now and washed it a total of 4 times. Right about now it has about as much swirls as my Integra did after 7 years! Don't get me wrong, there's not alot of swirls, just a slight bit here and there. Infact, it probably wouldn't be considered to be a "swirled up" paintjob at all. Very minor swirls nothing that bothers me for the time being.
Anyhow, just wanted to share my experience and would like to know what you guys think.
-THE DON
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 238
Here's what I think....
As someone stated earlier, washing and waxing does not cause swirl marks or scratches unless you are doing it wrong. Some things to consider when washing:
1. Try and hose off as much dirt as possible beforehand.
2. Do not use a dirty sponge/mitt as the imbedded particles will scratch your paint.
3. Do not dry your car w/ anything abrasive. I personally like waffle weave towels.
4. Never ever dry wipe a dirty car.
I really don't think that swirl marks have anything to do with how many coats of paint are on your car. What makes a difference is the quality and hardness of the paint used. European cars as a whole seem to use a much higher quality paint than is used on the tC.
A good polish does not cover up swirl marks. While some polishes contain fillers which will hide swirl marks, most quality polishes contain no fillers and are used to remove micro marring.
Just my opinion...
As someone stated earlier, washing and waxing does not cause swirl marks or scratches unless you are doing it wrong. Some things to consider when washing:
1. Try and hose off as much dirt as possible beforehand.
2. Do not use a dirty sponge/mitt as the imbedded particles will scratch your paint.
3. Do not dry your car w/ anything abrasive. I personally like waffle weave towels.
4. Never ever dry wipe a dirty car.
I really don't think that swirl marks have anything to do with how many coats of paint are on your car. What makes a difference is the quality and hardness of the paint used. European cars as a whole seem to use a much higher quality paint than is used on the tC.
A good polish does not cover up swirl marks. While some polishes contain fillers which will hide swirl marks, most quality polishes contain no fillers and are used to remove micro marring.
Just my opinion...
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1
Most of what you guys said was true. I work as a detailer so I can tell you that yes premium polishes do a mighty fine job of covering up swirl marks, which come back as soon as you wash your car because when you wash your car you remove the polish. Swirl marks are inevitable. I live in hawaii and here in Hawaii, the detailers who prepared my car for delivery made many swirl marks even though I requested that they do not wash my car or take the wrap off. They ended up leaving the wrap on the hood and trunk, but washing my car anyways. The detailers at your scion dealership probably put swirl marks on it already.
If you don't wash your car often enough, your paint will feel rough and not smooth. This is due to the fact that dirt gets "stuck" to your paint. You will need to buy a clay bar and clay your car to fix this. However, claying your car will also increase the possibility of making swirl marks. If you do this right, swirl marks will be kept to a minimum. As for washing your car, you need to use a hose and shoot off as much dirt as possible. Use a clean or brand new wash mit and wash your car. If you wash your car often enough, there will not be any large dirt particles that can get trapped in your wash mitt and scratch your car.
When you wax your car, you need to use very clean materials. I suggest buying a brand new sponge, not the kind you use to wash your car, for waxing. It is a great applicator that will not scratch your car. You need to thoroughly dampen the sponge first. Then when you are ready to take the wax off your car, I suggest using a clean or brand new microfiber or starcloth to take the wax off. I have done this to my Scion. I've washed my TC every week and have put maybe 4 or 5 very light marks on my hood and trunk. These marks are so light that in order to see it, you need to look at it at a certain angle with very special lighting.
If you don't wash your car often enough, your paint will feel rough and not smooth. This is due to the fact that dirt gets "stuck" to your paint. You will need to buy a clay bar and clay your car to fix this. However, claying your car will also increase the possibility of making swirl marks. If you do this right, swirl marks will be kept to a minimum. As for washing your car, you need to use a hose and shoot off as much dirt as possible. Use a clean or brand new wash mit and wash your car. If you wash your car often enough, there will not be any large dirt particles that can get trapped in your wash mitt and scratch your car.
When you wax your car, you need to use very clean materials. I suggest buying a brand new sponge, not the kind you use to wash your car, for waxing. It is a great applicator that will not scratch your car. You need to thoroughly dampen the sponge first. Then when you are ready to take the wax off your car, I suggest using a clean or brand new microfiber or starcloth to take the wax off. I have done this to my Scion. I've washed my TC every week and have put maybe 4 or 5 very light marks on my hood and trunk. These marks are so light that in order to see it, you need to look at it at a certain angle with very special lighting.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,435
From: Benton, IL
ok ok....my .02
1)swirl marks aren't technically "covered up" by polishing...the polish is designed to merge your clear coat together to actually get rid of them(swirls)....all swirl marks are are fine scratches in to clear coat only...
2) RIOBI---the reason you had red paint on your rag when you used the product on the toolbox is because the toolbox was probably at least a few years old....therefore the paint was oxidized making it dull...that's also why it shines up so nicely....
1)swirl marks aren't technically "covered up" by polishing...the polish is designed to merge your clear coat together to actually get rid of them(swirls)....all swirl marks are are fine scratches in to clear coat only...
2) RIOBI---the reason you had red paint on your rag when you used the product on the toolbox is because the toolbox was probably at least a few years old....therefore the paint was oxidized making it dull...that's also why it shines up so nicely....
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 238
Another cent or two....
Supreme_Ace- Gotta disagree w/ you about premium polishes covering up scratches. Good polishes (I use Meg's DACP and 3M PI III RC) have abrasives which remove scratches esp. when used with an orbital buffer. Polishes w/ fillers are a quick fix IMO.
SCI_TC_GUY- I don't know what you mean by merge but the beginning stages of polishing does reduce the edges or swirl marks and other micro marring thus making them less visible.
Supreme_Ace- Gotta disagree w/ you about premium polishes covering up scratches. Good polishes (I use Meg's DACP and 3M PI III RC) have abrasives which remove scratches esp. when used with an orbital buffer. Polishes w/ fillers are a quick fix IMO.
SCI_TC_GUY- I don't know what you mean by merge but the beginning stages of polishing does reduce the edges or swirl marks and other micro marring thus making them less visible.
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