Paint swirls/scratches

[fmxa]

Curious if anyone else has seen the following paint issue or has an idea of the cause. If I run my finger over the car (calypso red S4s) or brush against it, I leave tiny scratches behind, some of which are really noticeable under certain types of light. I've had black cars before and I'm used to swirl marks, but is calypso red paint really so soft it marks just from touch?

Only other thing I can think of is I'm close to a marine coal/coke terminal and I'm wondering if coke dust is settling on the car, and when touched basically sanding the paint - any ideas?

Cheers!

Paul

[lotusguy]

Hi,

Believe it or not, the biggest contaminate most people's paint has is Rail Dust. If you live (or drive) within 10 mi. of a railway, this effects you. Source: Zaino Brothers site - www.zainobros.com/

Rail Dust is the result of train cars rolling over the steel tracks. This releases microscopic steel dust which can travel as far as 10 mi. from it's point of origin.

Once it settles on your paint, it is easily imbedded and will cause numerous minute scratches as you may well imagine.

Coal/coke dust, while not as hard as Rail Dust is certainly harder than your Esprit's paint and is probably at least as airborne as Rail Dust. I can imagine that this coal/coke probably travels to the loading area via Rail as well, so you have both issues.

The fix is frequent washes with plenty of water and soft 100% cotton towels and perhaps an annual 'claying' of the paint to remove these contaminates along with a good regimen of waxing, polishing or sealing. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[mgb driver]

I would be wary of using clay. I've heard it is supposed to be a good way of cleaning the vehicle, my experience is that in the wrong hands it can do damage. My vehicle was one of several that was a victim of paint overspray while parked at work. The responsible party referred us to a local (reputable)body shop. Generally speaking, our cars looked worse after the "repair" work.... two of us had black cars, and when they came back they were covered with new scratches. I used several swirl removal products, but nothing was able to hide the damage.

Kevin
88 Turbo

[lotusguy]

mgb driver said:

I would be wary of using clay. I've heard it is supposed to be a good way of cleaning the vehicle, my experience is that in the wrong hands it can do damage. My vehicle was one of several that was a victim of paint overspray while parked at work. The responsible party referred us to a local (reputable)body shop. Generally speaking, our cars looked worse after the "repair" work.... two of us had black cars, and when they came back they were covered with new scratches. I used several swirl removal products, but nothing was able to hide the damage. Kevin 88 Turbo

Kevin,

I have to disagree, ...sort of. Of course, any product can be misused and cause more harm than good.

That having been said, when used properly, claying a car can/does remove contaminates better than most other methods.

I have a Black Esprit (original 20 y.o. paint) which I clay annually. The car is virtually scratch free and looks better than most 2 y.o. paint.

There are two secrets, either of which may have been overlooked by a pro shop. First, while the clay instructions note that the clay may be reused, don't! Always start out with a fresh piece so that previous contaminates do not work their way to the surface of the clay and cause scratches. Second, keep a spray bottle of soapy water handy and keep the surface dripping wet. Do not work the clay, rather allow it to do the work by pressing as lightly as possible. Another trick I use is to cut the clay in two as I start out and only use one half for half the car. This way, you minimize the potential for scratching.

I suspect that the shop which did your car used an old piece of clay which should have been discarded. Also, I suspect they pressed the clay too hard in order to speed up the work. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[mgb driver]

Jim,
Thanks for your input. I'm sure you are correct on all counts.

While we are on the topic of paint care, just thought I'd throw this experience in. After seeing an ad for a new wax Eagle 1 has out, containing "nano" particles or some such thing I picked up a bottle to try on my white 88 Esprit. What a disapointment. The ads hyped how its new technology virtually removes all scratches. Bunk. Not only did it not remove scratches, it left a lot of existing blemishes on my car. After I put a coat of this new stuff on, I got out the trusty old Meguires, and was able to remove some dark, heavy marks on the rear bumper, as well as some marks I found elsewhere on the car. It was a real disapointment.

Kevin

[fmxa]

Thanks guys, I used clay on the Esprit when I first got her with excellent results. I also emailed Sal Zaino (Zaino Bros) as I have many of his products but none on the Esprit as I've been using a professional detailer, anyway Sal said to call him to first thing Monday (sounds ominous!). I've also been checking with my neighbors and its seems as some of them also have the same problem, which again points to the coke dust falling on the car ....

[MadMaxx]

Be aware that once you put Zanio on.. it doesn't come off. Well, not really anyway...unless you count steel wool as an option

I get very good results from a random orbit buffer and some maguires polish, followed by a few coats of wax. Zanio looks good, but I don't like anything that bonds to the surface like that.


James

[lotusguy]

MadMaxx said:

Be aware that once you put Zanio on.. it doesn't come off. Well, not really anyway...unless you count steel wool as an option I get very good results from a random orbit buffer and some maguires polish, followed by a few coats of wax. Zanio looks good, but I don't like anything that bonds to the surface like that. James

James,

I have been using Zaino prods on my Esprit for 4+ years, and after a 25 year history of owning various sports cars and trying every products on the market over that time, I have to say that Zaino works better and easier than any of them.

I disagree that once on, it is on for good. Any washing with a high alkali soap such as 'Dawn' dishwashing liquid will remove the Zaino quite easily. Of course, you do not want to use that harsh a soap on a regular basis, but occaisionally it's ok. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE