Hi all,

I recently bought a new car w/minor swirls (damn dealer wash).

Here's the products I currenlty have:

PC orbital buffer
Mcguiars #26
3M Imperial Hand Glaze
Mcguiars Gold Class
Mcguiars QD

I've read a lot about removing swirls, but am not sure if I should go out and buy new products if what I have will work.

Although, I'm thinking about getting the 3M SMR. Will this be too harsh for a new car (born date 07/04). I've used the 3M IHG on a small portion and it does not appear to "hide" the swirls too well. Maybe I need two coats.

I plan on doing the following this weekend:

Wash w/dawn
3M IHG or 3M SMR
Mcguiars Gold Class 2x

Any advice on the 3M IHG vs. 3M SMR?

PS - I know about the other waxes/sealants (i.e.- Klasse, AOI, Zaino), but I just want a BASIC, easy 3 step process.

Thanks!!

 

Mcguiars ScatchX is a great product in reducing minute scratches and swirls.

 

You might want to apply #26 on top of Gold Class since it doesn't last very long.

 

if a glaze is not working..move up to next level of abbrasiveness (not sure what that is with 3M products).... and try topping with NXT instead of gold class..NXT has some swirls filling abilities as well..also I think the NXT combines attributes of gold glass and #26 into one step...

3M SMR
3M Glaze
NXT x2

again not too familair with 3m products...but like sanding go with most abbrasive 1st to least abbrasive then coat/seal

 

oh yeah save the dawn for the dishes...

 

SMR will simply fill the swirls. The PC with a polishing pad and 3M's FI2 (assuming you prefer 3M's polishes) would safely remove light scratches. Then you could use your IHG followed by 26 or skip right to 26. 2 coats (with about 24 hrs of curing time in between), will last you a few months. Pair it with Meg's QD for occasional boosts, and it helps to have the QD to mist the applicators before putting wax on them... I get more even application and waste much less product that way.

EDIT: make sure you clay first

 

SMR does NOT fill swirls, it is an abrasive polish. Waxes like Zaino Z-5 "fill" them.

SMR = Swirl Mark REMOVER

 

I don't think I need to clay the whole car..maybe the roof and bumper.

I understand the SMR to be an abrasive also (and hear good things about it). I think I am going to buy it for this application.

Wash
SMR
IHG
#26 x2

So much for a simple three step process.... but it's worth it.

Any other comments are welcomed.

 

i've used scratchX on localized areas of my car and it didn't seem to do anything

seriously, swirl marks are annoying but when you think about it, all these swirl removers do is remove more and more of your clearcoat... which in the long run ends up being worse on your paint

imo - just live with it... if you wash and wax regularly, you won't notice the swirls since they'll be filled in and you're ADDING layers of protection to your car rather than stripping it away with an abrasive

 

I have swirls on my DB and can't stand it. I have a Porter Cable coming in a few days. I think there are compounds that remove the clear coat but the other option is a polish which will simply fill in the swirl marks. I'm going to have to try some different products once I get my pc.

 

That's a good point. That is why I originally wanted to "hide" the swirls. I may just use abrasives just once a year, and hide monthly.

Thanks for all the comments...

 

with most of the "polishes" out there...you are removing slight amount of clear coat (as long as your not using old school rubbbing compund)...most are diminishing abrasives and have some filling qualities as well...and with megs polishes they are said to enrich surface as well...and after you polish- seal with the wax/sealant of your choice...you've removed the swirls you have and if sealed correctly and treated correctly you can minimze them from returning (but I also do feel that swirls are inevitable)...but IMHO pro's outweigh con's