I am LIVID!!! I never have let anyone buff my car because of my fear of swirl marks.

So I bring my Super Black Z into "the best" bodyshop in Tampa to paint the hood because of a deep scratch in it. This bodyshop does all the Mercedes, BMW's, Ferrari's, etc.!!

There were some other light scratches in a few other areas so I asked them if they could be buffed out without causing swirl marks. The guy said "of course! We use the best new products and I promise no swirls!"

So I pick my car up last night in the dark and look at it today in the sun and the whole car is swirled!!!!! I am so pissed off.

They said to bring it back in and they will take care of it. Is it possible for them to get them out? Or can they just make it worse?

 

I always have to de-swirl any of my vehciles if I am unfortunate enough to have to carry them to a body shop.

Here is the problem, all body shops use rotary buffers, I have not seen any I have been in that uses orbital buffers like the Porter Cable. Unless they orbital buff the car chances are they will not get the swirls out, just make more. What they may try to do is coat the car with a glaze like 3M Imperial Hand Glaze which is like makeup and hide the swirls, but when the car gets wet the glaze is gone and the swirls are back.

Do you want to take the car back? or fix it yourself?

 

That's exactly what happened to me dude ... I was furious as well, but refused to pay them any more money to try and fix the problem so i just cover it up w/ polish once a week. It was on my hood too.

 

I've gotten used to swirl marks, I guess... all of my cars have been black, and I never seem to have the time to keep them swirl mark free...

 

Side note: Buffer Swirl Marks and slight spider web marks viewed in the sun's direct reflection are NOT the same animal...

 

I just ran into this web site on a search, interesting site for different kinds of paint damage, mainly this is wet sanding and buffer burn marks, but some of it could be called buffer swirl marks or "chatter" also. Makes you wonder why in the world he would have even bought or accepted the car like that.

Also, even as messed up as it is, if you give me some time with my Porter Cable, foam pads, 3M Finesse It II, 3M Swirl Mark Remover, and Zaino and I could do wonders to the paint.

http://forddefects.com/

 

Here is another good web site with some descriptions of different kind of paint damage (often I find my customers only have slight damage but they tend to think the worst)

http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/291deta1.html

 

Another good web site that gives step-by-step instructions on how to remove swirls both by hand and by buffer (both circular and PC) is Removing Swirls .

They recommend using Menzerna, and I can vouch for that. I have a PC and used their white pads on my Super Black. Stuff works like a dream, and removes the swirls, not just covers them.

If you have questions about the process, give them a call. They know their stuff.

 

I took it back to the shop and the car looks incredible! I'm just hoping they won't show after a few washes. When I asked if the swirls were just hidden with a good wax they claim that they were able to get them out with the Orbital buffer. Let's just hope so or they will be hearing from me again.

 

You will need to find yourself a paint protection/wax system to maintain the paint, I would not just keep carrying it back to the body shop. Lots of waxes degrade with multiple washes (the pooer ones do anyway) Also, using a detailer spray after each wash helps out a great deal.

You want to find a wax or polish that will maintain the current look that you are happy with.

 

TPATouring,

You should of brought your car by us. We will be more than glad to help you out!

Jon