Ok now to start off. Some people look at their car and notice a bunch of hairline scratches in their paint. They wonder how they got there. There all over the place. They are called " SWIRL MARKS" They are mostly caused from debris one your paint (thats somtimes you cant even see) that gets rubbed into your paint in one way or another. Now dont panic. It is very fixable (for the most part) and is found on 99% of vehicles.(Minimal on show cars.. what ya expect) This is due to: wiping, washing, dusting w/ a rag, rubbing your finger on the car to remove a "spot", etc. Now all these things cause "swirl marks" It is very hard to avoid these common problem. NOTE: Lighter colored vehicles are less likely to show "Swirl marks" compared to dark colored vehicles, but look close, they are there. However, there are a few things we can do to minimize this common problem. I will give you step by step guidlines on how to do so. NOTE: Not all people are going to wanna do this and may think its nonsense, which to some people it may be, but I am listing these procedures for the people who do wanna keep their car looking as good as possible. With that bear with me as some of the steps may seem un-necesarry, and/or already known.

How to Wash your car to mnimize "swirl marks"....

1) Make sure you have all the proper washing material you may need: A)Clean Bucket. B) Soft Wash Mit/Brush of choice. C)Good hose nozzle. D) Goody shammy of choice. E) Your choice of soap, tire cleaner, rims cleaner, window cleaner, interior cleaner, wax, etc.. F) Soft towels, G) Foam applicator pads. These are the basic "untensils", or "tools" that you will need to complete this cylce.

2) Add enough soap in the bucket to produce a nice soapy/sudsy substance when water is added.

3) Rinse the vehicle very well before washing. Go over it twice if you feel necesarry. NOTE: Each step only takes a maximum of a few minutes. Yet the end result will vary depending the time you spend on it.

4) After rinsing is complete, Now take the wash mit/brush of choice and make sure it is soaked up well.

5) Now from top to bottom, Very lightly wash the vehicle in small sections at a time. You will be diong this a second time. This is to remove most of the debris left behind on the paint after rinsing. When you just go ahead and start scrubbin and rubbin, You are scrubbin and rubbin all that debris into your paint "Causing swirl marks".NOTE: You DO NOT want the soap to dry on your car. And this step is important to help keep the bulk of "swirl marks" minimized.. NOTE: If there wasnt debris left over after rinsing, we would not have to wash.

6) After you have lightly washed the whole vehicle and it has been rinsed. YOu can then go ahead and re-wash the vehicle. Now you can do all your scrubbin. ( if necesarry) NOTE: You will want to avoid all possible "hard rubbing" on the vehicle no matter how clean it is and what you are using. NOTE: Make sure your work from top to bottom and DO NOT let the soap dry on the vehicle

7) Once your vehicle has been thoroughly washed and rinsed you can now "Shammy" your car dry. REMEMBER: You have Door jambs, a trunk jamb, and a hood jamb. (Commonly forgotten about) NOTE: A quick lap around the block will better help your drying process, As water likes to lay in certain areas on certain vehicles, Thus making it hard when referring to later steps.

Now that your vehicle is dry and cleaned. You can apply a good coat of your recommended wax. Apply your wax with a clean foam applicator pad. Work only in small sections at a time and DO NOT apply in direct intensive sunlight. Wipe off with a soft cloth/towel. To enhance your shine and leave less residue, make sure you flip your rag/towel frequently as dried up wax will build up, Thus causing a streak affect, and can eventually pick up debris falling from trees and throughout the air. NOTE: For in between waxes, You can use a quick detailer spray on wax to help maximize shine and protection.

9) Clean all windows with a paper towel or rag of choice, Add tire shine of choice (opt.), wipe down interior, and dont forget to vacuum.

Now you have succesfully washed your vehicle to minimize those nasty "swirl marks" As mentioned before, Some of them steps you may think are un necesarry, and other you may already know, But these are some quick easy guidelines to follow for those who may not know much about this "swirl mark" problem. Now for people who have slight scrathes on your vehicle and do not know how to fix this problem. Its quite simple. If you have any background/experience with a buffer, makes it easier for you. NOTE: When using a high powered buffer you must be very careful that you DO NOT stay in one spot for long periods of time. This will cause the paint to heat up and "burn". Also If you use a buffer for a long period of time there is a chance you can burn through the paint. Which means you take the clear and/or color off the car.

Now there are some things you will need to be able to fix some slight scrathces that you may have. A) Foam applicator pads, B) Soft towel/rag of choice, C) FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND (important you get the right one), D) Swirl mark remover/haze remover, E) Good wax , F) Some man power and a little bit of endurance (A bit of rubbin in circles in required without a buffer).

Now we have everything we need to fix some small scrathes so,, lets go.

1) Take some FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND and apply it to the foam applicator pad.

2) Apply in circular motion over the scratch until the scratch is almost gone. NOTE: You should not have to rub hard. The FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND WILL do the work for you.

3) After the compound starts to dry, wipe off excess and check the scratch. You may need to apply more Compound to the applicator and work in cirlces again. NOTE: Usually takes 2-3 lights "coats" of FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND to remove a normal/avg. sized scratch. (unless using a high powered buffer)REMEMBER: Let the compound do the work

4) After you have noticed the scratch is just about gone, You will then want to make sure the surface is clean of the FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND and then apply some swirl mark/haze remover to your foam applicator pad. As same as above, You will apply this in a circular motion over the scrathes caused by the FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND. NOTE: you can use a little more force when applying this because it is not as abbrasive as the FINE CUT POLISHING COMPOUND. A slightly faster motion would also help.

5) Once you notice the swirl mark/haze remover to begin to dry, Wipe off excess with a clean soft towel and look to reveal the shine. NOTE: You may need to repeat step 4 3-4 times (without high powered buffer) To get a real glossy shine. NOTE: You will get better results from a buffer, but if you have ther man power/endurance/and time. you can do a very well job.

6) Once you have completed the swirl mark/ haze remover, Make sure the are is wiped clean wit a soft clean towel/rag of choice. And then apply 2 coats of wax of choice. Wipe wax with a clean soft towel/rag and hanf buff wax to a nice newly restored finish

NOTE: SWIRL MARK/HAZE REMOVER can be applied to the whole vehicle after you wash and before the wax steps as stated above. This is an extra step to help REMOVE ( which was not mention earlier) A good portion of "swirl marks", Thus not beeing able to take out all of them by hand cause youll kill yourself tryin.

Now after you have read all these detailed steps, You are now ready to begin your journey. If you have any other questions or comments. Please feel free to post, PM, or IM me on AIM at : slammed96ga

Thanx for bearing with me to get these instructions up here for I was very busy the past few days. Feedback would be great about the information listed above. PLease let me know if you think it is good, avg, or bad. And I will do what I can do help improve it. Thanx and enjoy

 

did you write this?
you missed alot of stuff...like having one rinse bucket, one wash bucket, with a grit guard in the bottom.
the importance of microfiber
how to dry your car properly (ie - not using any old rag)
how to wash in strokes, not in circles
what about claying the car?

i mean, i wash my car like you stated, even with way more precaution, i still have crazy swirl marks. just face it, scions have the crappiest paint job ever

 

Don't forget about using a clay bar (and dawn wash) before an initial coat of wax!

 

chamois?

 

I highly agree! Debris may cause some swirls, but other things also cause you to get swirls too. Like xnevergiveinx said, using 2 buckets, one for rinse, one for washing. If you don't you're just washing with the same debris you just washed! What towels you use is also important. Like for example Terry Cloth causes way more swirls than microfiber. And you also need "good" microfiber and not the ones you see at Wal-Mart or Auto-Zone etc.. Also what wash mitts you use to wash with plays a very important role. Another example about your post was use of drying the car off. What drying towel you use again plays another big part on your car's paint. Just any towel will not work. You can get rid of swirls by using certain steps, but they won't by your method. Here are the ten most frequent causes of micro-marring (swirl marks):

Polishers/buffers with the incorrect pad or an untrained operator
Harsh polishing compounds and paint cleaners
Towels and applicators containing polyester threads
A dirty chamois or a chamois that has not been properly maintained
Wiping down a dusty or dirty car with a dry towel
A dirty car duster or a car duster used on a car with too much dirt on the surface
Not keeping your wash mitt or sponge properly rinsed
Automated car washes with brushes and other wipers
Not rinsing your car completely before washing, or not washing your car thoroughly before drying
Using a car cover when the car or the cover is not clean
The most noticeable area for swirl marks is the hood and trunk.

Again, to keep spots to a minimum, try using a detailing spray after you wash. Likewise, to keep swirl marks to a minimum, make sure you have good wash and dry tools, never wipe, rub or polish in circles (straight line motions only), and be very careful with the use of buffers and polishers. If you have repair work done on your car, tell the painter you want a warranty against swirl marks. This lets them know you're clued in to a quality job. Regular polishing is the best way to remove water spots and swirl marks. Choose a good polish, good tools, and be patient.

I think you need to revise this "FAQ: and maybe post it again when you're sure next time. But hey that's just an opinion from someone that's been into detailing cars for over 12 years.

 

its not just scion paint look at any car darker colors are worse plus water blads own chamois just my opion

 

Whats a clay bar? How do u use it?

 

Here's a good how-to on the subject:
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18103
and a better one:
http://autopia.org/kb/index.php?page...2&id=31&c=root

 

OK. Well for one. Some people wanted a write up and that took long enough. I figured half the steps on there MOST people dont even do. You shouldnt need to use a clay bar on your car already.. And yes you should dry your car with a SHAMMY.(As stated in the steps) not any towel..

Also I did say wash mit OF CHOICE, and towel OF CHOICE.

 

And Also. You really do not need 2 wash and rinse buckets. But if you DO have them and can use them then that is even better. But 99% of the stuff you wash off your car will sink to the bottom of the bucket. You can look and see that. And I know there is more to swirl marks then just washing. If you have read the post thoroughly. You would know I didnt state them to come from just washing..

But anyway. I hope this helps many people!!. Which was my intensions

 

I think scionman05 hit most of the key points very well, but the ultimate statement is that people will form their own opinions and methods for washing their cars. Even on sites like autopia.org, they've all got their own methods and the results speak for themselves.

I highly suggest, to anyone wanting to get into paint care and detailing their cars, that they spend some time on Autopia to learn about the functions of some products and they work compared to other products. If there was a be-all, end-all product, everybody would be using it. Since there is not, you have to go with what works best for you, learn and try different products and methods, and most of all, enjoy the process itself.

 

you need claybar on a new car. go get a plastic sandwich bag and put it on your hand, now run that over the surface of your car. it's especially bad around the front and back bumpers, wheels wells, and even the glass will have debre on it. now wash your car how you want to. do the same test. i bet you will still find a bunch of crap still on your car. claying is essential to a smooth prepped surface for a paint sealer followed by a wax

 

You can wash yours that way, but if the 2 bucket method is going to help a little I'll use it. It's not like it's hard to do anyway.



Very true.

Most cars have tons of swirls on them from the factory as well.



I agree

 

Thanks for the responses. And like it has been mentions already. Everyone is going to do it different and thats just how its gonna be. But i was also tryin to make some people who dont know much about the outside work on their cars understand what causes them and how to prevent them somewhat. Which you will never be able to 100% prevent it (which sux) But if there is anything else that was left out or could be added post it up and I can try to work on making some sort of a post with all the information listed in it.. Maybe somthine like a chart ,, Like who preferes what and this and that etc..

 

you have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on your hands.

 

Nuthin else to do at night before I go to bed!! And its car related so it doesnt bother me too much