Today, while I was washing my max, I pulled it out into the sun to towel it off and noticed that there were tiny scratches ALL over the entire body. Every panel is scratched to hell, but they're very small and can only be seen when the sun is glistening off the side. I'm thinking of a thorough waxing or something like that to get rid of them since they don't seem to be very deep, but I don't know. Any suggestions about what I should do?

Wind

 

1. Wash with dishwashing soap to remove all wax. Make sure you do NOT use circular motions- just straight lines.

2. Buy at Mothers Clay Bar. Clay bar the hell out of it going in the same stright direction.

3. Zymol wax- 2 coats- no circles- just straight lines- 2 coats.

I did this yesterday and it helped out a lot.... Took me all friggn day, but it looks awesome.

 

ok..thanks a lot man..i'll try that sometime this week when i get some time off.

Wind

 

those arent really scratches; theyre called swirl marks. they are EXTREMELY noticable on darker colors, i.e. black, etc. good luck trying to get rid of them. id say its near impossible. all we can do is minimize them.

 

I have them in my 2k2. Planning to use 3M's Swirlmark Remover to attempt to remove them as much as possible. Make sure you use 100% terry or microfiber cloths when washing or applying are car care products.

 

You could also check any car parts store for colored wax. I used to buy it for my Integra, it comes in various colors and reduces the swirl marks when you wax the car. I can't remember who makes it. Next time hand wash, no automatic car washes. I don't care how "soft cloth" they say they are, they always leave scratches.

 

Windfall, safe yourself a lot of trouble and get yourself some of Maguiar's #2 (Step 2) Polish (comes in a dark red bottle). You can get it at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. (about $5-6 a bottle). It goes on easily and be sure to use a baby diaper to take it off. After that, cover it with your choice of wax. Works everytime...I've been using #2 for years...absolutely the best.

 

I've tried the Zaino product
www.zainobros.com
The Z5 product works by filling in the scratches with a polymer. This method is much better IMO than trying to polish out the scratches because in order to do that you will be removing clear coat.

 

Blk = absence of color (or mixture of all colors technically) and presence of everything else (scratches/ding/dents)! That's why I'll NEVER own one again! They do look COOOOOOOOL when just cleaned though!
Blk interiors are the BEST though!
l8tr -- SS

 

what if i get my car buffed? will the swirls come out?

 

unless ur applying another layer of clear coat and buffing with a highspeed buffer, dont bet on it working

 

so....what exactly is the cause of swirl marks?

 

oh..and btw..where can i find the products you guys listed above?

Wind

 

Yes I believe it will take it out. Everyone is just too sensitive here! Is that the real color of your car? If it is you might wanna get it buffed professionally. They will have to use a dual head buffer that covers its tracks. Otherwise if you get a unexperienced buffer you could be worse off than ever.

 

Swirlmarks are caused by the car wash machine brushes. Normally when you get your car washed at those drive through machines, even the soft cloth ones, they wipe your car with so much force the "etch" swirls into the clearcoat. You could always go get the car buffed, re-painted, and add 2-3 coats of clear coat. This way it looks good, you have some protection from the car washes, and you'll have a deep gloss. Or you could wash the car your self or get it handwashed.

 

That's the thing tho, I never put my car through the car wash, I always hand wash. I rinse, soap, rinse, drive, then towel off the rest. I have no idea how i got these damn marks...

Wind

 

3M Swirl Remover workz great for this, you can purchase it at your local Pep Boys....

Later...

 

Swirl marks are actually caused when dirt gets caught in whatever material you're washing your car with, then it gets wiped against the clear coat of your car repeatedly. You should ALWAYS use 100% cotton or microfiber towels to clean and wax your car. And never ever use dirty towels or ones that have been dropped.

 

This question may sound dumb, but I was actually wondering, what do you use a clay bar for?!?!!?

Thankz in advace....

later...

 

Clay bars are to take up ALL contaminents and other particles before you put a coat of wax on. Even after you wash your car, the clay bar will pick up dirt that even the soap can't. Then throw a fatty coat of wax on and you're good to go.

 

A thin coat will work just as well. Your wasting wax by using a thick coat.

 

How far do you drive it?

Don't ever wash on a windy day because dust and sand get blown around and lands on your cars finish. I've never seen a car without swirl marks.

 

By fatty, I meant....like....sweet.

 

I was looking at 3M's laminate coating (for the hood) and they were saying that automobile manufacturers have moved to a water based acrylic paint from a solvent based paint from 2001.

I am wondering if this is part of the reason we see several threads on the paint quality; chipping, scratches, swirls, etc. I am assuming the different paint does not resist chips well.

 

Be careful with the clay bar. It requires a lot of lubrication. Otherwise you can end up with more small scratches.