Decent swirl reduction by hand
Discussion
Guys
I have a year old Mazda 3 I just bought and its in that nice metallic red (Soul Red they call it and its a pearlescent). I just had some bits on the front re-sprayed by ChipsAway. The blokes done an absolutely fantastic job I have to say. The only issue I would say is that the clear coat is slight more orange-peely than the wing, but then on the other side of the car, even the OEM paint finish on the bumper is slightly more orange-peel than the wing too. The colour match is bob-on, which was my main concern given the nature of the paint.
The main issue really is that I have two bits of the car that look excellent and clean whilst the rest of it has a years road-rash and some god-awful swirl marks. I think the previous owner or dealer used some wire wool to clean the car. There are also a few deeper scratches; fine looking key marks on the A-pillar and 2 long marks on the roof, probably where some woman plopped her bag with metal buttons on the bottom.
So what can I do to reduce the swirling? Don't want to go mad on products and I want something I can do in about a day. I am not even going for a mirror finish. Just reducing the appearance.
From reading around...seems like I could do worse than using some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, followed by a polish like AG Super Resin Polish and then finish with a sealer like AG Extra Gloss Protection. Obviously thats three stages and likely some very sore arms. Anything I can do to reduce that?
I have a clay bar and stuff already, so will wash and clay before doing any of the above. Quick question though, I have AG Tar Remover and Insect Remover. Do I use these before or after the main wash?
I have a year old Mazda 3 I just bought and its in that nice metallic red (Soul Red they call it and its a pearlescent). I just had some bits on the front re-sprayed by ChipsAway. The blokes done an absolutely fantastic job I have to say. The only issue I would say is that the clear coat is slight more orange-peely than the wing, but then on the other side of the car, even the OEM paint finish on the bumper is slightly more orange-peel than the wing too. The colour match is bob-on, which was my main concern given the nature of the paint.
The main issue really is that I have two bits of the car that look excellent and clean whilst the rest of it has a years road-rash and some god-awful swirl marks. I think the previous owner or dealer used some wire wool to clean the car. There are also a few deeper scratches; fine looking key marks on the A-pillar and 2 long marks on the roof, probably where some woman plopped her bag with metal buttons on the bottom.
So what can I do to reduce the swirling? Don't want to go mad on products and I want something I can do in about a day. I am not even going for a mirror finish. Just reducing the appearance.
From reading around...seems like I could do worse than using some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, followed by a polish like AG Super Resin Polish and then finish with a sealer like AG Extra Gloss Protection. Obviously thats three stages and likely some very sore arms. Anything I can do to reduce that?
I have a clay bar and stuff already, so will wash and clay before doing any of the above. Quick question though, I have AG Tar Remover and Insect Remover. Do I use these before or after the main wash?
Thank you for the kind offer! However, I am not local to you.
Reading a bit more, doing this by hand is going to be tough going. I may have to just do a section or two at a time.
Seems like I have to make sure I use proper applicator pads to get good progress. But the pattern forming definitely seems to be some kind of light cutting, followed by polish, followed by wax/sealant to keep the dirt off.
I think that I may find it easier to use a filler type polish (like super resin) then seal it in so the effect sticks around for a while before the swirls come back.
Reading a bit more, doing this by hand is going to be tough going. I may have to just do a section or two at a time.
Seems like I have to make sure I use proper applicator pads to get good progress. But the pattern forming definitely seems to be some kind of light cutting, followed by polish, followed by wax/sealant to keep the dirt off.
I think that I may find it easier to use a filler type polish (like super resin) then seal it in so the effect sticks around for a while before the swirls come back.
Menzerna Medium Cut with L&C hand pads will work well by hand.
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/menzerna-2...
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/menzerna-2...
Hmmm reading around, sounds like its gonna be arm breaking work to really tackle the swirls. What I may do then is initially just try super resin polish followed by a sealer and see how that goes. If no good, then I can go back and get something like ultimate compound and have another go. I am going to be buying 3 products anyway; compound, polish, sealer. So will just start with the last two first and see how it goes. Least aggressive first they always seem to say!
Had a dabble today. Didn't have loads of time and after seeing greenfly cover the car within about 2 seconds of washing the damn thing I didn't have the motivation to do much more. Washed, Clay bar'd, then I did most of the car with a spray detailer thing that's got a bit of protection in it. Should last till next weekend when I have more time.
I did have a go on the front wings with the super resin and gloss protector. On close inspection the wings are quite badly swirled. You can actually feel how rough the paint is when wiping over with a micro fibre. It feels like it's ever so slightly catching. So worked my right arm off on both sides with SRP, then added the protector. Might look a bit odd when it rains as the only two parts of the car done, but I'll do it all next weekend.
It looked markedly better, but those swirls will come back. They are only subdued as well you can still clearly see them in the right light, they're just not as rough to feel. Perhaps I will purchase some ultimate compound after all, though I have my doubts that anything but a machine polish will actually work!
This car was either driven constantly down overgrown 1 track roads in Cornwall or the previous owner thought wire wool made a good sponge.
I did have a go on the front wings with the super resin and gloss protector. On close inspection the wings are quite badly swirled. You can actually feel how rough the paint is when wiping over with a micro fibre. It feels like it's ever so slightly catching. So worked my right arm off on both sides with SRP, then added the protector. Might look a bit odd when it rains as the only two parts of the car done, but I'll do it all next weekend.
It looked markedly better, but those swirls will come back. They are only subdued as well you can still clearly see them in the right light, they're just not as rough to feel. Perhaps I will purchase some ultimate compound after all, though I have my doubts that anything but a machine polish will actually work!
This car was either driven constantly down overgrown 1 track roads in Cornwall or the previous owner thought wire wool made a good sponge.
mneame said:
SRP has very little cut so imo you're wasting time and energy. SRP has a lot of filers so you could go over with that after you've polished with something that has some cut to it.
This.SRP is more for filling than cutting & wouldn't need work/pressure using to apply it. Cutting compounds designed for use with a machiner polisher can be used by hand (youtube it) it'll just be harder work.
Fully aware that SRP has barely any cutting effect and that its basically a filler. The clue is in the name really....Resin.
I have to say though it has at least improved the look from about 4 feet. Its filled in some of the swirls at least and reduced their appearance. They are of course still there and with a few weeks the sealant will wear off and the SRP will disappear and it'll be back. I was just trying stuff out.
I have AG Paint Renovator but I think that may be too abrasive. I will first try Megs Ultimate Compound I think or maybe the 205 Ultra Finishing Polish. Sounds like that stuff was designed to be used by hand if you must and it would appear to be a bit more softly softly compared to paint renovator.
Its gonna be hard work though! Perhaps, with the good weather, I can just do it piece meal until the whole car is done. Main culprits are the bonnet (which I have to sort chips out on first!) and the wings... but the rest of the car could do with it as well.
Quite happy with the AG sealant though... I guess a wax might look deeper and richer but you can definitely see water beading nicely and smushed flies wipe right off.
I have to say though it has at least improved the look from about 4 feet. Its filled in some of the swirls at least and reduced their appearance. They are of course still there and with a few weeks the sealant will wear off and the SRP will disappear and it'll be back. I was just trying stuff out.
I have AG Paint Renovator but I think that may be too abrasive. I will first try Megs Ultimate Compound I think or maybe the 205 Ultra Finishing Polish. Sounds like that stuff was designed to be used by hand if you must and it would appear to be a bit more softly softly compared to paint renovator.
Its gonna be hard work though! Perhaps, with the good weather, I can just do it piece meal until the whole car is done. Main culprits are the bonnet (which I have to sort chips out on first!) and the wings... but the rest of the car could do with it as well.
Quite happy with the AG sealant though... I guess a wax might look deeper and richer but you can definitely see water beading nicely and smushed flies wipe right off.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Tuesday 10th May 14:04
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Tuesday 10th May 14:25
Otispunkmeyer said:
but I think that may be too abrasive
The beauty you have or working by hand is you have a lot more control. That said really heavy compounds won't break down enough to have the desired effect causing marring.If you've already got all these different compounds / or you're going to buy them, then treat yourself to a DA and some pads. Start with the lightest pad and compound / polish and go from there.
Or get someone to do it for you and then spend your money on maintaining the finish instead.
Aside from the roof and the bonnet, just did this Mazda 3 mps by hand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GhiBJjCOmA
I did it by hand as taping it all up would take about 12 days and we weren't going for perfection just a good improvement over where it started out. I found an old unopened bottle of Meguiars 3 step system, this was step 2, it did a fantastic job at getting rid of the swirls. once done, two coats of white diamond glaze (got rid of all my blackhole as no longer have dark cars then matey turns up and asks to do his black car...) then two coats of a nice Autoglym hd wax.
I have all the boutique s
te but the AG stuff works really well and was pleasantly surprised at the step 2 system. The bonnet and roof was done with megs #83 on a mop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GhiBJjCOmA
I did it by hand as taping it all up would take about 12 days and we weren't going for perfection just a good improvement over where it started out. I found an old unopened bottle of Meguiars 3 step system, this was step 2, it did a fantastic job at getting rid of the swirls. once done, two coats of white diamond glaze (got rid of all my blackhole as no longer have dark cars then matey turns up and asks to do his black car...) then two coats of a nice Autoglym hd wax.
I have all the boutique s
te but the AG stuff works really well and was pleasantly surprised at the step 2 system. The bonnet and roof was done with megs #83 on a mop.By hand is a waste of time (honestly).
Most of the swirl removal effect will be due to fillers and other such chemicals within the polish.
If you do an IPA wipedown most of the swirls will come back.
Use a DA, piece of piss to use . Soft Japanese paint will come up quite well even using a medium pad with SRP will get you a good result generally and you can't really do any damage unless you are a fool. :-)
Most of the swirl removal effect will be due to fillers and other such chemicals within the polish.
If you do an IPA wipedown most of the swirls will come back.
Use a DA, piece of piss to use . Soft Japanese paint will come up quite well even using a medium pad with SRP will get you a good result generally and you can't really do any damage unless you are a fool. :-)
I disagree, whilst a lot of the by hand stuff will include fillers, how did we survive before DA's? You can polish by hand, I tend to do my mini by hand and the swirls are actively removed not just filled. I explained to my friend however that in this case some of the effect may be more to filling but you simply cannot get the results we did just by filling everything in.
The amount of effort required to remove swirls on modern clear-coated cars is horrific.
Older cars may be easier or the differences in results larger.
DA's have been around for so long haha! well, they used rotaries back in the day.
Rotaries I still prefer (Flex is my fave!) but DA's are more friendly for home-users. :-)
This is done with a filler type resin polish (not Auto Glym).
So you'd be surprised.
I view them more as paint cleansers personally great for using before a coat of wax to help clear any remaining gunk away.
Older cars may be easier or the differences in results larger.
DA's have been around for so long haha! well, they used rotaries back in the day.
Rotaries I still prefer (Flex is my fave!) but DA's are more friendly for home-users. :-)
This is done with a filler type resin polish (not Auto Glym).
So you'd be surprised.
I view them more as paint cleansers personally great for using before a coat of wax to help clear any remaining gunk away.
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