Help with swirl X

[dannyboy20]

I recently applied the Swirl X with a cotton towel with little results. What is the best applicator pad to be using to remove swirls by hand. Also is it best to follow with a microfiber towel. I own a black truck so every little blemish and swirl shows up as soon as the sun hits the paint. I have some pictures but not sure how to post them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Help with swirl X

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26526

link on how to post photos

I recommend you post photos and we'll take if from there. Likely you will have to move up to something like ScratchX 2.0 or Ultimate Compound if working by hand. You can then follow that with the Swirl X to smooth things out even more.

[dannyboy20]

Re: Help with swirl X



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[dannyboy20]

Re: Help with swirl X

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Help with swirl X

Those are some pretty nasty looking scratches. Working by hand we would definitely recommend Ultimate Compound, without hesitation. But, and this is going to be fairly critical when working on a black vehicle, do NOT use terry cloth for an applicator. Terry cloth has a good deal of bite on its own, and since you'll be applying the UC with some elbow grease the terry is going to haze the finish. You're likely to end with the scratches all removed, but the paint will look dull in that area, and it won't be because of the UC - it will be all terry cloth.

Get a couple of foam applicator pads like these:


You'll need to work in small areas at a time, no more than about 18" x 18" and work the product in tight circular motions for a couple of minutes to moderate to heavy pressure, then wipe off before the product dries. This is the product, pad and method we teach in our Saturday classes and we always get great results. But we won't try to kid you here - correcting this level of defect by hand on a large vehicle is going to be a lot of work. A lot of work. Still, it can be done and there's no rule that says you have to finish the whole vehicle in one day. Or one weekend.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Help with swirl X

That looks like a lot more work than I would want to do by hand, unless you are simply looking at reducing the scratches. If you are looking to totally eliminate them and end up with a mirror like finish, I would strongly consider getting a Dual Action Polisher. It all depends on how much time you want to put into it.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Help with swirl X

That looks like a lot more work than I would want to do by hand, unless you are simply looking at reducing the scratches. If you are looking to totally eliminate them and end up with a mirror like finish, I would strongly consider getting a Dual Action Polisher. It all depends on how much time you want to put into it.

The paint doesn't look that old, just scratched. What year and type of vehicle is it? How well do you want it to look in the end? Are you willing to properly maintain it after the paint is corrected?

edit: oops I meant to edit my post, not quote myself :-)

[Aussie]

Re: Help with swirl X

Interesting case and i can't wait to see the finished results. Michael just a quick question for you my friend... If working by hand, can he possibly use the microfibre hand application pads for a little more "bite."
Definately needs some attention but certainly within reach. Take your time as recommended, the people on here are great and won't steer you wrong. If you have access to the polisher then go right ahead, but by hand you should still get a great result. I have found by hand you tend to appreciate it even more... or am i just crazy?

[dannyboy20]

Re: Help with swirl X

It's an 08 Silverado with 18500 miles. That picture that I posted is only in one small area underneath the passenger side door. The rest of the vehicle has your typical swirl marks. I'll try to post some more pictures later.

[dannyboy20]

Re: Help with swirl X



Anoth Pic

[Meewash]

Re: Help with swirl X

... Michael just a quick question for you my friend... If working by hand, can he possibly use the microfibre hand application pads for a little more "bite."
...

That's what interests me most right now. I was trying to get rid of those light swirls from my finsih by using SratchX and foam pads and it seems to me that with little success.

Will probably try SwirlX so I'm more than just interested in how he can deal with those swirls on his car.

[dannyboy20]

Re: Help with swirl X

I'm trying to decide from a few options. Have it done professionally or just purchase a polisher. If I do have it done professionally how long will It last without swirling again. I wash my truck with a microfiber mit. How else can I prevent swirls.

[ClarkWGriswold]

Re: Help with swirl X

Always nice to have someone else do the work, but if you are going to spend that kind of money spend it on a DA so you have a good tool to use in the future as swirls are an elusive and persistent black vehicle monster.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Help with swirl X

I'm trying to decide from a few options. Have it done professionally or just purchase a polisher. If I do have it done professionally how long will It last without swirling again. I wash my truck with a microfiber mit. How else can I prevent swirls.

Read through the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle and pay close attention to the Washing and Maintaining steps. That is where the vast majority of your defects will come from.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Help with swirl X

That's what interests me most right now. I was trying to get rid of those light swirls from my finsih by using SratchX and foam pads and it seems to me that with little success.

Will probably try SwirlX so I'm more than just interested in how he can deal with those swirls on his car.

Remember, ScratchX 2.0 is more aggressive than SwirlX but the original ScratchX is less aggressive than either. You mention ScratchX without the 2.0 designation, so SwirlX would be a step up from that, but if you have the 2.0 version then Ultimate Compound is the next step up.