My 350 Z is currently swirl free. I want to keep it that way. I do everything by hand, a machine buffer will never touch it. Under these circumstances, how do these mysterious swirl marks appear, and how is the best way not to get them?

 

I'm curious as to what causes these hideous creatures as well. If you have a light colored car, you're a lot better off when it comes to swirl marks...I'm sure they're still there, you just can't see them. The darker the color of car, the more noticable the swirl marks become.

Please enlighten us on how to keep a dark colored car swirl mark free.

 

I've got a Black Z and my detailer indicated to me that the "spider webbing" is almost inevitable and we'll have to live with it. I've tried Speed Glaze then waxing over it. Still swirl/spider webbing.
Hope those of greater authority on this subject can help us poor slobs who are not as experienced in taking care of these buggers.

 

If you maintain your car properly and diligently, swirls or spiderwebbing aren't inevidable. So, what are they? A scratch is an actual cut into the finish, and a swirl mark is just a very minor (shallow scratch). They are cause they way you would expect a scrath to be caused...to much friction by either wpiing/rubing a dirty car, or using the wrong material towels.

 

brad

Is all that you are saying is just to wash/wipe ever so gently with the proper fabrick? I dry using micro fiber towels, and wash with a wooly wash mitt or natural sea sponge, using two buckes, one wash, and one rinse. No swirl marks so far. Is this the proper regimen? Can you add anything?

 

You will get swirl marks fairly easy using a sponge...
Stick with the wash mitt.

 

so what about spider webbing? what causes and how do you prevent? friend has SE-R Spec V in black and it is already webbing in some spots and he keeps his car spotless and keeps fresh wax on it. a little worried as I ordered an SB enthusiast.

 

Brad,

Correct me if wrong but shouldn't you wash with a back and forth motion instead of circular. Always use a wash mitt.

 

That's what I've been told. Something along the lines of cars being painted in straight lines .... when you wash your car, most people use swirl motions. If there is anything between your cloth/sponge/etc. and the paint, there's a good chance you'll scratch the finish (like someone mentioned earlier, super fine scratches).

In theory, if you use straight back and forth motion (from the front of the car to the back, not from side to side), you should be going with the "grain" of the paint and not damage the paint at all.

I've yet to actually try this, as I haven't a car I care about that much (I started with my '01 Eclipse Spyder GT ... but then I realized I wanted to trade it in and get a new car, so I stopped).

When I get my Z though ... I'll get me some Zaino and try it out!

 

Paint doesnt have a grain, but the reason its better to wash/wax in strainght lines is that if you happen to make a mark, it will be much less noticeable than a circular one.

Remember, when washing, drying, waxing and wiping, always be as gentle as possible to get the job done the safest. If you follow this creed, (and the two bucket wash method, and rid yourself of polyester towels, you should be swirl free)

 

Believe it or not, the soap you use can help keep dirt away from the surface as you wash. I have used ProperAutoCare stuff for a long time because of the products they provide. The Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo is the softest soap I've ever used. Check out the copy they have on the product. It may seem expensive, but so is your baby. Take care of it!

 

I had a car detail business on the side at one time and I have lots of experience with swirls.

Swirl marks are one of two things:

1) the high side of the wax or
2)burnt paint.

Unless you go to town and hold a buffer in one place too long then you cannot burn the paint. I have owned several black sport cars which are the hardest to keep clean. Being as **** as I am I constantly wax/polish my vehicle. So the answer is in order to keep from getting swirls is to wax your vehicle in long oval motions then make an "X" over the same area. This cuts the high side of the wax and makes the swirl go away or keeps from creating one. I've buffed tons of black cars and I have never left a swirl. Just make sure you never wax in small circular motions. Wiping your car or washing it in circular motions doesn't create the swirl either. What I do on my vehicle is wash it with a very clean sponge and do not clean the wheels until last so I don't mix dirt with the same soap and sponge that I am going to wash the car with. I also make sure not to clean the rocker panels with it either. Then I remove the paint sponge out of the bucket and use a seperate tire sponge and clean the wheels and rocker panels with it. After you chamoy the car use Meguiars quick detailer with a very soft polishing cloth. Trust me, you'll never ever worry about a swirl if you do this. Best of luck!

Edretti