Hey guys -

I've had my MINI for 2 weeks and just detailed it today. I used dirtguard and the two bucket process, ordered the wash mitt from DP, and used Zaino. The problem is I'm seeing swirls. Very few and only under a certain angle, but they are there. I'm concerned that I caused them!!! I know there were a couple from when I picked it up at the dealer and perhaps I didn't notice more since I hadn't spent as much time with the paint before, but this has got me worried. Are swirls inevitable?

I'm also using a MF Waffle Weave for drying.

Thanks so much for the help...I'm a little confused

 

Based on what you have been using, assuming your techniques are good, the swirls are from your dealer...and not a surprise. Swirls are not inevitable per se, but the good thing is they are easily remedied with the right materials and techniques. Pick up a copy of OctaneGuy's Porter Cable DVD in the NAM store and all your questions will be answered.

TJM

 

Basicly the same boat here. Most dealers buff a car before delivery and if the person doing it is heavy handed you get swirls. I've hit some of mine with Amigo and a PC and they are gone. Still have some on the right rear fender and right door but they should go away when I get the time to work on them.

 

Thanks for the responses...I will try the dvd when I can spend some time on the car again. It'll probably be a while from now but I just got so worried after the wash today.

 

yeah, unfortunately they are probably from the dealer. i told my dealer NOT to wash or detail the car, but I think they still did. still there seemed to be low swirlage when I picked mine up.

I also thing you'll inevitably get some swirls. I have... I try to move my wash mitt in one direction instead of in circles and same when drying off or wiping off Quick Detailer or Hydro. this may be hocus-pocus on my part, but it makes me feel good.

and I use the 2 bucket method... which feels so slow to me... but makes sense.

car washes (and dealers) probably don't use a good wash mitt and I know they probably use crappy towels that have lots of crud in them.

as others have said... there is hope if you buy and learn how to use a PC. i have yet to take the plunge.

 

My dealer included free swirls with my car. A local friend & detailer extraordinar removed them for me. Now I am very careful not to put anymore swirls in my paint.

 

I used a cotton towel to dry my HB MINI the first couple of times I washed it (sorry Ken). This resulted in some light swirls/holograms. Bought some nice micro-fiber, waffles, and a sheep mitt from DP and some Z5 polish from Zaino (I have been using Z2 very happily). The polish applied by hand worked like a charm and I'll forever use the correct towels. This is the first non-white car I've ever owned so learning has ocurred...

 

Don't know about swirls, but I bought a tankless water heater that can run hot water all day if needed, and it's on the outside of my home. I bring this up because there's also a spiggot on the underside of it so you can hook up your hose and wash at any temp you want (great for dogs too). I'm told washing with warm/hot water can help, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

oh?

 

I just had hail damage repaired on my car and when I called to see if it was done the Body shop said yep, and they are giving it a bath now. My very first thought was great, no more swirl free paint.

They did a great job on the dents, looks as good as new. But darnit, the swirl free car now has swirls. Why in the heck would a body shop use towels that will induce swirls? Now I need to get a polisher and polish it this summer.

 

Body shops are production shops. They have one thing in mind. Get your car out at fast as possible so they can get the next car in. The people who do the finishing after any painting is done are usually low paid people who use the fastest methods to put a shine on the paint. They are doing production work and thats the type of result you can expect. It's not just about bad towels. I've seen dawn soap, dirty buckets, brushes, and basically just inexperience with how it should be done properly.

That's why at my own shop, I'm renting space from a custom shop that build hotrods, but they also do body and paint on cars, and they fired their detailers when I moved in, and instead give all the work to me knowing that I'll do a superior job over anyone they might hire. That gives them a better reputation, and I'm not a "hired hand" but rather paid by the job--so my incentive is to always do the best job I can.

More body shops should do that.

Richard