Swirl Marks Minor Scratch Removal

[bluesclera]

SWIRL MARKS MINOR SCRATCH REMOVAL

Any ideals how to remove swirl marks and minor scratches off Astro Black?

I use microfibers and the problems seems to compound with each wash and wax.

I use Zanio (Z5) which claims to remove swirls and minor scratches but its BS, i've got 5 coats with no improvements (nice shine thou).

Any real products that work?

Is a polish product the same as a wax product?

Thanks.

[nick_k]

What type of microfibers?
I'm sure a Monster Fluffy wouldn't hurt! :-P

[kenchan]

try ScratchX with some elbow grease.

[trico]

In the absence of a PC, I have found that Meguiars Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner works quite well to remove light scratches and swirls.

[MiniMaybee]

Zaino Z-5 will not remove swirls. All it is for is to fill/mask minor swirls. If you are going to stay with the Zaino system look at the Z-PC. This is similar to Scratch-X.
Doing this swirl removal by hand, especially if they are wide-spread, will be very tough (read: physically demanding) but can be done. I suggest you start by reading the Detailing 101 forum, pay particular attention to those posts by OctaneGuy, agranger, BradB and DetailersParadise. There is a lot of good info in many, many threads. Next I would consider buying OctaneGuy's DVD on the PC. Even if you don't have or plan ot get a PC, it will provide you some very good starting info.
Then go to your garage and start working, but have fun!

[OctaneGuy]

Meguiar's Deep Crystal (consumer product) is a decent product for very light swirls. As a chemical paint cleaner, it's my understanding that it physically softens the paint in order to remove those defects. That's not saying it's a bad or scary thing, just food for thought. But unfortunately it doesn't work as effectively as a polish with diminishing abrasives would.

Originally Posted by trico

In the absence of a PC, I have found that Meguiars Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner works quite well to remove light scratches and swirls.

Based on Z5 & Z5 PRO's description, it really doesn't remove swirl marks, rather it HIDES or fills them in as best as possible.

"Z-5 PRO ...Thanks to its advanced, non-abrasive, micro-filler polymer technology, Z-5 PRO fills and hides minor surface imperfections even better than before "

"If you don't see a visible difference after 1 to 3 coats of Z-5 PRO, you need to use Z-PC™ Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover"
Quoted from Zaino's website.

So if removing swirls is what you want, then you are using the wrong product here. It is possible to physically remove swirls by hand, but it really takes a lot of effort. Using a Porter Cable (PC) polisher removes much of that effort and enables you to be much more thorough. When using this tool to apply wax, it allows you to apply an extremely thin and even coat of wax over the entire car, and once dried, it allows you to remove that wax without instilling any scratches that could be caused by pressing your fingers through the towel when buffing off.

That's what my DVD in the NAM store is all about. How to polish a car by hand and by machine and all the tips and techniques to prep it such as taping the car, using clay bar, choosing products, inspecting it, etc...

http://store.northamericanmotoring.c...t=0&bestseller

RE: Polishes and Waxes
Well no they aren't the same, but it does matter which manufacturer you ask. Meguiar's considers a Polish as a product that removes swirls and defects and a Wax as a final Last Step Product (Process) aka LSP once you are finished with the polishes to protect the look. In use, Meguiar's polishes are applied and worked in to the finish to remove defects, then wiped off before they dry. Then a wax is applied and once dried is removed.

Although I am partial to the Meguiar's professional polishes like M80 Speed Glaze, Prima Car Care also offers Prima Swirl and Prima Finish
which are excellent polishes and can be used by hand or PC. And to top it off, my favorite LSP is Prima Epic

Originally Posted by bluesclera

SWIRL MARKS MINOR SCRATCH REMOVAL

Any ideals how to remove swirl marks and minor scratches off Astro Black?

I use microfibers and the problems seems to compound with each wash and wax.

I use Zanio (Z5) which claims to remove swirls and minor scratches but its BS, i've got 5 coats with no improvements (nice shine thou).

Any real products that work?

Is a polish product the same as a wax product?

Thanks.

[trico]

By OctaneGuy -

Meguiar's Deep Crystal (consumer product) is a decent product for very light swirls. As a chemical paint cleaner, it's my understanding that it physically softens the paint in order to remove those defects. That's not saying it's a bad or scary thing, just food for thought. But unfortunately it doesn't work as effectively as a polish with diminishing abrasives would.

I may be offbase here (wouldn't be the first time nor the last) but doesn't the PC in some respects impart softness to the paint through heat and friction to do the same thing as (only better than) Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner?

[OctaneGuy]

Nope. Heat has nothing to do with how swirls are removed. It's a byproduct of the process, but you really don't want to heat up your paint at all when buffing.

The rotary buffer imparts more heat to your paint, and you never want it to get so hot it makes you say "OUCH" if you touch the paint. It should be cold or slightly warm to the touch as you work.

The PC doesn't heat up the surface and that's what makes the tool safe. You can't burn through your clearcoat with a PC.

The process of removing swirls, is by using a polish with abrasives. You really want to use a product with "diminishing abrasives" for the highest quality finish so that you aren't constantly abrading the surface and hazing/fogging it due to the constant harshness of the abrasives.

If you really want to see how hot a PC gets, put on a foam pad, and turn it on and grasp it. It will get warm due to the friction, but it won't get hot. Certainly not as hot as your paint will get sitting under the sun on a hot day.

Richard

Originally Posted by trico

By OctaneGuy -

I may be offbase here (wouldn't be the first time nor the last) but doesn't the PC in some respects impart softness to the paint through heat and friction to do the same thing as (only better than) Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner?

[mcdbrendan]

Prima Swirl anyone???

[OctaneGuy]

See my last sentence in post #6

Originally Posted by mcdbrendan

Prima Swirl anyone???

[MiniMaybee]

Si

[mcdbrendan]

oops sorry OG, i just skipped through the big posts. Agreed that Prima Swirl is a great product for medium swirling.

[OctaneGuy]

It's not like you to skip the DETAILS.

Originally Posted by mcdbrendan

oops sorry OG, i just skipped through the big posts. Agreed that Prima Swirl is a great product for medium swirling.

[mcdbrendan]

hahaha seroiusly though. i am home from school today really really sick and i think the nyquil has gone to my head.

edit::: it obviously has because i have just realized that i have been taking nyquil... all day. o well. i feel a little better, and warm