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Getting rid of swirl marks from dealership

5.9K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  Interpol  
#1 ·
So whoever PDI'd my Cayman at the dealership left some gorgeous swirl marks over all of the car. They're only really visible in bright sunlight when the car is completely clean and are too hard to photography, but I was wondering how can I remove them myself? Clay bar?

:confused:
 
#2 ·
You can remove them yourself - and any number of polishes will do the trick. I use this stuff - P21S Paintwork Cleanser: works great on swirls, waterspots, etc. What I like about this stuff is that's almost non-abrasive, and I can do it by hand without an electric polisher which gives me a lot more control... that way I don't put the clearcoat in any danger - although this stuff won't really endanger your clearcoat anyway. I follow it with two coats of P21S Carnauba Wax probably the best, yet easiest to use wax I've ever used. I put three coats on the nose, hood and mirrors...

You can get all this stuff (and almost any other brand of car care supplies) at a great online place called Car Care Specialties... http://www.carcareonline.com/

They have great products, fair prices, fast shipping, and the guy who owns/runs it, is a long-time Porsche owner and PCA member.

brad
 
#3 ·
Thanks Brad, I appreciate the quick repsonse. I also apologize, I realize the swirl question has probably been asked a million times.

Good to see you recommend the P21S Paintwork Cleanser, I've been using the P21S Carnauba Wax on my Ducati for a while now and just started using it on my car. I love how easy it is to remove.

The only thing I hate is the easiest place to buy all this stuff locally is at my Toronto Harley Dealership (not a big Harley fan) maybe I'll start ordering it online.

;)
 
#4 ·
In my opinion, swirl marks are inevitable no matter how you clean your car. All you can do is reduce their occurrence as much as you can by using proper cleaning techniques and materials. According to Sal Zaino, the test is whether they are visible under fluorescent light or only in direct sun light. If they are only visible under direct sunlight, you may want to consider living with them for a while. Swirl removers are a bit abrasive and you don't want to use them frequently.
 
#5 ·
No problem - you're welcome. I see you have a black car, too. My CS is the latest in a fairly long line of black Porsches... if you haven't already, I'd also recommend the P21S synthetic drying towel... I've found nothing else like for drying a black car quickly... use use it folded-up, almost like a squeegee, and move the water off the car while drying it... two passes in each spot, and the black surface is dry with no streaks. After using cotton towels for a long time, and basically drying the car about 10x with all the extra wiping, this synthetic towel has been a revelation to me in the care of a black car.

brad
 
#6 ·
HAWC.....

I have the another soluion.:banana: The board's favorite polish system.


The system worked majic for me. I have a basalt black CS. I had swirl marks and visible lines. I followed the process outline in the instructions. I purchased the car show kit. I drove all over town to find the 100% cotton towels. It took ~ 5-6 hours.

The investment in time and money was well worth it!

Note. Use Z5 for heavy swirl marks. I plan to chase the Z5 with Z2 soon. Z5 (2 coats) is incredible.
 
#8 ·
Im sure they are caused from the dealer when they use the electric polisher. :crazy: Were they did not polish with it the paint is perfect.:mad:
 
#9 · (Edited)
Claying will only remove the contamination on the paint. It will make it smoother but will not be able to remove swirls. It is definitely an important step however.. before you move on to polishing.

You should be safe by using a polish once a year to remove fine swirls, and then washing a car in the right way so that hardly any marring or swirling appear again. Mild polishes wont be removing much of the clearcoat, its not as dangerous as it seems :)... Also remember that any non-abrasive products will only fill the swirls instead of removing them, the swirls will thus reappear a couple of washes later. Here is a summarized thread by a pro-detailer on autopia.org that explains everything you need:

http://autopia.org/forum/car-detail...car-detailing/85532-since-others-posting-how-i-wash-cars-threads-here-mine.html

What I would do is polish once a year, and use a glaze every couple of months like 'ClearKote Red Moose Machine Glaze' to get a deep shine and fill the new swirls whenever they appear. The 'RMG' will also be a great base for a Carnauba wax, I recommend using Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax, its the best for red and black Cars :) .. Natty's Blue paste wax is also an option and its cheaper than Souveran..

Instead of the wax route, you can opt for a sealant. It would have a different type of look than a carnauba but would last much longer. Whatever you decide to do, a wax or sealant wont be enough for swirls. Your final look will depend on the way you prep you car (polish) for these last step products. The only abrasive products in the Zaino line are ZAIO (zaino's all in one product: polish/seal), and Z-PC (a mild abrasive polish). Make sure you check the guide on autopia, it is VERY helpful for beginners. Once your done, join the autopia forums and search for what you exactly need.. Ill be buying most of my stuff from www.autogeek.net and www.danase.com

Good luck, and dont forget to post pics!
 
#10 · (Edited)
hawc,

i have a black Cayman as well with fair amount of swirls (not much you can do when it's black).

I swore by Zaino products until i closely inspected my bosses black Ferrari 430. He gets his car detailed at Autobahn Auto Salon at 4646 Dufferin.

I swung by after work on Friday and spoke to the owner Frank Duarte who showed me a writeup they had in Fridays National Post on the car care products that they manufacture called Worlds Best Wax.

I eventually purchased the wax and Frank threw in a sample size cleanser and carwash and gave me a deal on microfibre towels which are TRULY AMAZING. The line of products isn't cheap but they have a money back guarantee if your not happy.
It made it easier for me to purchase their line of products when i saw a Ferrari 599, CLS AMG 65, Aston Martin Vanquish and a few Porsche's in their detailing garage that day.

I used the products on Saturday and i'm now convinced this is THE WAX to use. I was a hardcore Zaino buff , but i am now converted to The Worlds Best Wax line of products. It's impossible to get ALL swirl marks removed, but for the most part, they are not visible on my car any longer.
Check them out at www.worldsbestwax.com

I have no affiliation with these guys but i want ppl to try their products.:cheers:
 
#11 ·
I recommend the following using Zaino products:

1. Wash the car with Dawn dishwashing liquid to strip off any wax/polish on the car.
2. Claybar the entire car to remove contaminants and rail dust.
3. Wash again with a good car wash soap.
4. Polish the entire surface of the car with a good random orbital polisher (Griot's, Porter-Cable 7424 or 7336sp), a fine polishing foam pad (like the Sonus green foam pad), and Zaino Z-PC Fusion.
5. Re-wash the car, then dry.
6. Apply a layer of Zaino Z-6. Spray on, wipe off.
7. Apply a layer of Zaino Z-2 + Zaino ZFX, then another layer of Z-6.
8. Apply a layer of Zaino Z-5 + ZFX, then Z-6.
9. Apply another layer of Z-2 + ZFX, then Z-6.
10. FINALLY, apply a layer of Zaino Z-8.

This'll take you all day, but you won't be disappointed with the results - guaranteed. The most important step is #4, the actual polishing - this is what gets rid of swirls.
 
#14 ·
If you wanna go the Zaino way, only do 3 coats a day of Zfxd Z2/Z5

Id say use Z5 as the first layer since its got filling abilities and then add the Z2 at the end. Top everything with Z-CS for increased durability and wetness, and then maintain it with Z-8 :D

Remember that you need to wash/dry your car the right way if you dont want any marring to appear!
 
#17 ·
I can't believe it! I was in Toronto a few years ago for wedding and killing time in the hotel room I read a local mag and there was an article about the two of the best detailers in Toronto and one was the this guy Frank Duarte, cayman ess spoke about. I tracked him with the gps and went to his shop, you couldn't believe all the high end cars this place had on a Saturday morning. I told him I was car nut and love to wax cars, he showed me their method and I also bought the entire line of products, good stuff! He asked me if I wanted to be the United States dealer for the line of products, said no but I bought his line and he gave me some free microfiber towels. I too would recommend it.
 
#19 ·
boxman,

i'm glad i'm not the ONLY one who has tried World's Best Wax.:banana:

Frank stands behind his products that he followed up with a call today and asked if i had a chance to use the wax.

I was floored when i saw his detailing garage with all the amazing cars:eek: Frank asked if i wanted to swing by after work and look at the Enzo they were finishing detailing.

Actually, i compared prices of World's Best Wax and Swissvax and WBW is MUCH cheaper.
 
#21 ·
You might consider Turtle ICE. Comes with applicator and microfiber towel. Easy on, zero residue coming off, deep, glossy finish. I used to be an NXT advocate but after trying ICE, NXT is a distant second. The best thing is instead of making rubber white, it restores rubber to black / like new appearance. Don't know how long it will last but it's so easy to do that it doesn't matter.