Swirls and spiderwebs can't be removed.

[97moneypit]

Yesterday I tried an experiment. I bought some of the 3m adhesive cleaner, and the 3m Swirl remover. I picked a spot on the back of the car and cleaned off the wax with the cleaner. I applied the swirl remover. It did not do anything to remove any of the swirls, spiderwebs and small scratches. So I assume that the swirls and spiderwebs are in the clearcoat and cannot be fixed.

Is my quest to remove those aggravating swirls and get a near perfect finish leading to a dead end with my only recourse to have the entire car clear coated?

The car looks great in indirect light, but when the direct sun reflects off the finish, the swirls really show.

 

[DetailingDude]

What color is it again?

 

[97moneypit]

DD

It's torch red.

 

[froggy47]

I've heard the praises of color sanding (aka wet sanding) if done by someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[karsc5]

I just finished putting on 3 coats of Z5 this weekend (actually 1 coat last weekend and 2 this weekend) and still have the same swirl marks and spidering. I was going to try the 3m method you used since this was metioned in many other threads and recommend by Sal Zaino, but I guess it won't help. Is there somethiong better?

My process was:
1. Washed with Zaino Z7 and 100% cotton towel.
2. Dry with leaf blower.
3. Clayed with Mothers clay bar and 100% cotton towel.
4. Used cig wrapper to check for roughness reclayed where necessary.
5. Dewaxed with 3M adhesive remover and 100% cotton towel.
6. Inspected paint and found swirls and spiderwebbing.
7. Applied Zaino Z5 with ZFX accelerator with Z6 in between three coats removing each coat with 100% cotton towel.

Like I said above I still have the marks. I emailed Sal Zaino and he recommend the 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover #39009.
HELP

:confused

 

[97moneypit]

I just finished putting on 3 coats of Z5 this weekend (actually 1 coat last weekend and 2 this weekend) and still have the same swirl marks and spidering. I was going to try the 3m method you used since this was metioned in many other threads and recommend by Sal Zaino, but I guess it won't help. Is there somethiong better?

My process was:
1. Washed with Zaino Z7 and 100% cotton towel.
2. Dry with leaf blower.
3. Clayed with Mothers clay bar and 100% cotton towel.
4. Used cig wrapper to check for roughness reclayed where necessary.
5. Dewaxed with 3M adhesive remover and 100% cotton towel.
6. Inspected paint and found swirls and spiderwebbing.
7. Applied Zaino Z5 with ZFX accelerator with Z6 in between three coats removing each coat with 100% cotton towel.

Like I said above I still have the marks. I emailed Sal Zaino and he recommend the 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover #39009.
HELP

:confused

I also used the Zaino products for the last few months and have seen no difference. That's why I tried the 3m swirl remover. I am beginning to think that there is really nothing out there that can remove or really cover the swirls. If they are in the clearcoat as I suspect, only a new clearcoat paint job would provide a swirl free finish IMHO.
But I might try the 3m product Sal recommended to you first.


Here's a short review about that product if you are interested..
http://www.epinions.com/content_88826482308

Some more information
http://www.albeedigital.com/supercoupe/articles/swirl_marks.html

 

[karsc5]

Thats my next step. I won't be able to get at it for a couple of weeks though. Hoping DD or anyone else can suggest other cures wihout reclearcoating, my car is only 6 Months old.

 

[jedi]

I got the same problem. Detailing Dude as a great help, ( the guy knows his stuff) and I spent more then a few hundred bucks to try to repair the swirl marks and spidering but with no luck. I am going to try to take my vette (Also Torch Red) to a local detail shop and see if they can do the repair. Based on my last experiance with a detail shop I am interviewing the local shops before I leave my baby with them. I know of one shop who also does minor paint repair and I am going to take it there to see what they can do about the paint.
Jedi

 

[yankees1]

I've heard the praises of color sanding (aka wet sanding) if done by someone who knows what they are doing.

I also had no luck with Z5 for hiding swirls/marks! On my dark colored vette I quit using Z and went to Pinnacle Souveran and this made my paint a more wet and richer color.

 

[corvettecrazy]

try meguiars scratch X it did wonders on our all black 2000

 

[karsc5]

Well I finally got at the Swirl removal project. I picked the deck lid to start. I first tried 3m SMR and a Porta Cable and a yellow pad. Did not remove the marks. Stepped up to Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner/Polish and a yellow pad with Megs QD on it. Woked it until the product was gone and turning to dust. then wiped down with the QD again. Did this twice, moved the car outside to inspect my work and WOW what a difference hardly any swirls and webbing. Moved it back inside and applied the 3M SMR with a white pad twice and this removed more. I have to work a small area on the lid, but I am very pleased with the outcome.

 

[JJU]

Z-5 will only mask the swirls. I've seen some cars that Z-5 won't even help. It's a shame too because it was probably caused by bad towels.

If you use the 3M product by hand my best guess is that it won't work.

You're going to have to take it to a professional or buy the right tools like a Porter Cable and correct pad.

 

[Ken]

I'm surprised. Out of all these responses and no one has mentioned the old trick of using cornstarch to get rid of swirls and the like. Just a light dusting with the cornstarch and polish as usual. Old trick.

_ken

 

[Alan76]

You have to check the scraches with your finger if you can feel them then they are probally to deep to fix . Try taking 2000 grit
wet/dry sandpaper and using a light water flow sand the scratches out being careful not to go to deep keep the area
wet and sand till you have a uniform dullness then take some rubbing compond and buff till you get the shine back be careful
not burn the cleaarcoat rubbing compound is like a ulra fine sandpaper. then to remove the swirls try Mequires("not sure on the spelling') swirl remover available at Autozone type Part Stores
On the last coat try a back and forth motion instead of a swirl


Alan

 

[GS Diva]

I'm surprised. Out of all these responses and no one has mentioned the old trick of using cornstarch to get rid of swirls and the like. Just a light dusting with the cornstarch and polish as usual. Old trick.

_ken

I've never heard of that but will definitely remember that trick! Thanks, Ken!

Elaine

 

[Ken]

If swirl marks appear, sprinkle pure cornstarch over the entire car and buff out with terrycloth towel.

Elaine, and you are the Moderator for this forum? :L Just kidding, just kidding! :eek

_ken

 

[GS Diva]

Yeah...watch it, big guy!:bash

Elaine

 

[rwd]

Before using any type of sandpaper, I'd suggest trying a different level of polish.

Meguiar's makes an entire line typically carried by auto parts stores that is numbered 1 to 10 with varying qualities. Generally, the lower numbers are somewhat more abrasive.

Swirl remover is #9. I might try #7 or #6 next. I haven't detected a pattern as far as effectiveness. Sometimes one works and the other doesn't, on marks that otherwise look identical. It may take repeated applications, but I'd rather do that than take off good paint. Some of them can be used with orbital buffers, but that might not be indicated or necessary.

Whatever you do, increase the abrasiveness progressively. If you use too abrasive a product, you can end up worse off than you are now (although that may be hard to believe).

And no matter what you use, start on a less noticeable spot in case something goes wrong.

Good luck.