Schwa72

I just took delivery of a 2001 Torch Red coupe this past Wednesday, and I'm getting ready to have my first wash/Zaino polishing session tomorrow. However, the car has some swirl marks on it (only in a couple of places) which it doesn't look like Z5 will fill in. My local Pep Boys has 3M Swirl Mark Remover, but they only had P/N #39009 for dark cars and not the formula for lighter cars. First, is it okay for me to use the formula for dark colored cars? I'm really not sure whether you'd call Torch Red dark or light. And second, will this stuff really leave a swirl-free finish -- ready for Z2? FWIW, I tried the Meguiar's #7 Swirl Remover but it just replaced the few big swirls with lots of smaller ones...I was not impressed.

0Zaino Bros (Sal)

With deeper swirls and fine scratches sometimes the use of an abrasive product
like 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover #39009 is necessary.. I
try to avoid the use of abrasives and would try my best with Z-5, to see if it
will correct the problem. However if you don't see a visible difference after 1
or 2 coats of Z-5. Waiting 6 to 24 hours between coats of Z-5... Then you need
to use the 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover #39009... see following tips...

3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze use By hand:
Simply apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) to a cotton
diaper or piece of cotton towel and rub back and forth into about a 1' X
1' section using light to medium pressure until it starts to dry out.
Then take a second towel and lightly rub back and forth until the polish
residue disappears and the gloss comes up. If there are still some
swirls visible you can repeat this step until they are minimal. I prefer
using a less aggressive product a couple times instead of using a more
aggressive product once. After you have done the entire car you can Dawn
wash and reapply Z-1 and Z-5/Z-2.

3M FoamPolishing Pad Glaze use By orbital:

Use a 100% cotton bonnett or a foam bonnett and apply the polish in a
thin lined growing circle starting from the center and spacing the
growing line about an inch from the last round all the way to the edge.
Place the bonnett flat on a panel and activate the polisher and begin
working the entire panel using light to meduim pressure. When you have
worked the panel thoroughly then take a clean towel and wipe the residue
off in a back and forth motion using light pressure. Then simply move to
the next section. When the entire car is done do a Dawn wash and Zaino.

Hope this helps... Need more??? call me and I'll help you out...

rbridges

This has been asked before. It doesn't matter which you buy, the only difference is the color of the paste. The abrasive material is the same.

I had the same problem-new car w/a few swirl marks. I assume they buff areas on the assembly line when paint flaws are noted.

I used the dark color swirl mark remover. Make sure you wipe in the same direction (I go horizontal) w/relatively light pressure. Never use circular motions. Also, use the 100%cotton Fieldcrest towels.

Ask if you have any question. There's a lot of great advice in this forum.

hcvone

As said either will work just fine.

chuck1026

My 2001 Torch C5 had the same problem outta the box. I took Sal's advice and used Z5... it helped, but some spots needed 3M #39009 to clean it up.

Happy shining :)