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      04-20-2009, 11:26 PM   #1
jgorman13
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Swirl Remover 2.0

So my Z has a ton of swirls from the previous owner. Using my tech wax covers them up nice for a couple days but its killing me when my cars in the sun and they show. SO i bought Meguiars Swirl Remover 2.0 after tons of recommendations. I tried applying it myself by hand and all I got was tough residue left on the car and what looks to be even more scratches. HELP!
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      04-21-2009, 06:23 AM   #2
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I 'm not sure that applying it by hand will work. Two days ago I decided to use my Meguiars RO polisher for the first time with Sonus Swirl Remover on a black MINI. Alot of scratches are still there, most of them are not there anymore. Bottom line, use a polisher, and use clay before polishing, something I was kind of bored to do but should have.
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      04-27-2009, 08:59 AM   #3
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Sounds like we're in the same boat, jgorman. I have a black Z4 and it's COVERED in swirls from the previous owner and likely many from myself too. You can only really see them under intense sunlight and most people think I'm seeign things, but they're there alright.

The only real way to attack the swirls for good is to have a pro do it. I have a machine polisher and I've tried osme of the products recommended on various detailing forums and while I've had decent results, the knowledge/experience comes into play big time. For an exterior detail I've been quoted anywhere from $160 to $410 depending on the shop and products they use. The pros have a way of eliminating the swirls/minor scratches by essentially taking a very thin layer off the car and returnign it to new again.
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      04-27-2009, 09:58 AM   #4
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I got a quote for $335, $300 of which is labor. It's a lot of work. I'm still debating whether to spend the money or not. My daily commute is 110 miles r/t and my car is covered in bug splat at the end of each day. Not sure how long the detailing will last if I have to wash the car every night.
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      04-27-2009, 10:12 AM   #5
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I'm getting mine done this afternoon... I'll post some before and after pics... I'm having him do a cut and polish to take out swirls from the carwash (doh!)
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      04-27-2009, 03:44 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wasupdu View Post
Sounds like we're in the same boat, jgorman. I have a black Z4 and it's COVERED in swirls from the previous owner and likely many from myself too. You can only really see them under intense sunlight and most people think I'm seeign things, but they're there alright.

The only real way to attack the swirls for good is to have a pro do it. I have a machine polisher and I've tried osme of the products recommended on various detailing forums and while I've had decent results, the knowledge/experience comes into play big time. For an exterior detail I've been quoted anywhere from $160 to $410 depending on the shop and products they use. The pros have a way of eliminating the swirls/minor scratches by essentially taking a very thin layer off the car and returnign it to new again.
Yea people think im nuts too, but its been bright and sunny the last couple days and its covered in scratches
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      04-27-2009, 07:53 PM   #7
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All done. Looks like new inside & out. Worth every dollar (300). I'll post the pics tomorrow morning. Don't even bother trying to do the cut & polish wax yourself, it's got to be done with an orbital buffer to get good results which, in the hands of a novice, will do more damage than good resulting in a waste of your time & effort, as well as more swirlies. The paint looks like red butter now.
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      04-28-2009, 12:13 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fatmatt0116 View Post
All done. Looks like new inside & out. Worth every dollar (300). I'll post the pics tomorrow morning. Don't even bother trying to do the cut & polish wax yourself, it's got to be done with an orbital buffer to get good results which, in the hands of a novice, will do more damage than good resulting in a waste of your time & effort, as well as more swirlies. The paint looks like red butter now.
Reminds me of my own detail I got done late last year with my detailer. The car's still got a mirror finish!



More pics here: http://www.northwestautosalon.com/gallery/
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      04-28-2009, 02:06 PM   #9
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before and after the orbital buffer.

I didn't crop the photos right but you get the idea from the paint
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      04-28-2009, 02:14 PM   #10
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Isn't that Hull Gut? Lots of good memories from there. Nice "parking" beach down at the end.
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      04-28-2009, 04:16 PM   #11
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Indeed it is. It's quite a place, especially this time of year.
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      04-28-2009, 07:39 PM   #12
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a better shot of the rear quarter for comparison after buffing
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      04-28-2009, 11:00 PM   #13
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Thumbs up

Nice. Looks awesome. Might have to get mine done after all.

Nantasket Beach. I see the arcades aren't open yet. Practically lived there in my teens. Much different place then. The amusement park was in full swing. Great place to be a kid. Thanks for the quick trip back home.
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Last edited by M_Six; 04-29-2009 at 11:35 AM..
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      04-29-2009, 10:01 AM   #14
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It's nice how the detailing job brings out a deeper red that was previously dulled over by the swirls.
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      04-29-2009, 01:05 PM   #15
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My car looks like ass if you're closer than 10 feet away from it. Detail is on the to do list after the engine is remounted.
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      04-29-2009, 02:27 PM   #16
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A good Dual Action Orbital polisher with the correct pad and product can safely remove swirls and light scratches. I spent $300 bucks on getting good stuff, and then did 4 BMW's over a three day weekend.

Below is the hood of my '03 5 series, after doing the 1st pass of polish on the drivers side. You can see haze on the passenger side that was cut down on the drivers side. I did a medium polish, a light polish, and then a sealant, and it looks x100 better.


Sending all for cars to get detailed would have cost a small fortune, so I'd much rather just do it myself. Besides I enjoyed seeing the transformation.

Edit.
No good finished shots, as it was overcast, this was a reflection from finished product. Sun wans't out, so you can't really see the improvement.
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      04-29-2009, 04:01 PM   #17
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damn I get so many looks in this car it's ridiculous
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      05-18-2009, 07:59 AM   #18
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I agree with the earlier posts. You have a choice between employing a professional, or buying an Orbital polisher, and some new cleaning materials, and putting in a lot of time yourself.
I've done it both ways, on all my BMWs, and a few classic cars I've owned.

Check out Griot's garage online, for a huge catalog of detailing supplies and equipment. They're not the cheapest, but I think they are the most comprehensive. The sell a $10. booklet that explains the whole process, from washing the car, through using clay, to polishing and waxing. It's the next best thing to apprenticing with a detailer.

If you decide to go with a pro, I know one in NJ very well. PM me if you want his #. I won't post it without his approval.

Good luck, Ray
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      05-18-2009, 10:32 PM   #19
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Yeah it isn't hard stuff, but takes a bit of knowledge. Personally I chose to get a porter cable unit with some Meguires mirror glaze pads and product for about the same as it would cost to have it done, maybe less. Big thing is to clay bar before "cleaning" the paint/removing scratches as not doing so could intruduce more light scratches. I personally use dawn before beginning as it strips ALL wax/sealant, bugs, etc off of the car. Then you can do clay bar if you want. I usually test a few spots to see if it really needs it...you can tell by the resistance/sound the clay makes. After that I break the process into three steps and choose products to suite it. Cutter/cleaner to remove scratches but contains no fillers, glaze (makeup for your car) gives the car a deeper look and fills some minor blemishes, and then a 100% synthetic sealant. The condition of your car should determine what aggressiveness product you choose as well as the amount of pressure. Make sure you are working with a cool car or some of the waxes/sealants or glaze will dry way to quick.

Meguires has some quick videos on their site as well as a broad selection of products based on your needs.
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      05-20-2009, 06:20 AM   #20
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The Porter Cable Orbital polisher with the correct products is wonderful. You can't hardly mess your finish up with one of these if you follow instructions from your product supplier.

HOWEVER, the big trick to good looking paint is not to put the swirl / scratch marks in the paint in the first place. Ever here of clean micro fiber? For those of you that take a good car to a car wash, you deserve what you get. I won't even let the dealer wash my car when they service it. Don't want them messing up the paint for me.
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      06-02-2009, 12:24 AM   #21
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There are many bug remover sprays. I do a 60 mile commute daily and if I spray the windows and paint I can rinse the bugs off with just the water pressure from the hose. It's been saving me money as now I just have to wash the car twice a week. THe bug remover is from Sonex and it is safe for the glass and paint as long as it is not allowed to dry on the car!
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      06-16-2009, 03:53 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rc'Z View Post
The Porter Cable Orbital polisher with the correct products is wonderful. You can't hardly mess your finish up with one of these if you follow instructions from your product supplier.

HOWEVER, the big trick to good looking paint is not to put the swirl / scratch marks in the paint in the first place. Ever here of clean micro fiber? For those of you that take a good car to a car wash, you deserve what you get. I won't even let the dealer wash my car when they service it. Don't want them messing up the paint for me.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matty C View Post
There are many bug remover sprays. I do a 60 mile commute daily and if I spray the windows and paint I can rinse the bugs off with just the water pressure from the hose. It's been saving me money as now I just have to wash the car twice a week. THe bug remover is from Sonex and it is safe for the glass and paint as long as it is not allowed to dry on the car!
Thanks for the tip, I have a lot of bugs as well and can never get all of them off for some reason!

I am going to be detailing here in a few weeks, I don't do it as often as I should
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