How do you remove swirl marks
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I use a product called Scratch Out (made by Adam's Polishes) that works well to get minor scratches out of the paint. Haven't really tried it on swirl marks, but it works well on the scratches. Detailing Dude could probably give you some very good advice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 788
Likes: 1
From: Lombard IL
Go to www.autopia.org. You will find a wealth of info on this subject along with general paint maintenance. 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
Likes: 0
From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
depends how deep they are.
You will need to buy a orbital buffer to get them out.
There are numerous products out there made from numerous quality companies.
Ican only speak to Meguairs but others such as Zaino also have items.
1. What you want to do is wash and clay to make sure the area is completely clean.
2.Then start mild and get more aggresive as needed to remove.
Use an orbital with ScratchX
3. If this does not work move to something that is more aggresive but with the understanding that you are cutting into your clear to do this.
Light scratch remover , then medium scratch remover with an aggresive pad and then ONLY if you have to move to diamond cut.
4. you will now have to reverse everything above..... what you have done is scratch the surface more by using these products to remove the swirls..... so when you reverse it makes the scratches lighter and lighter until they can no longer be seen with the eye.
If you need more help or product call
1-800-854-8073 and ask for Mike Phillips , Paul Ruiz or Greg Stahl and explain . Tell them I told you to call and they will get you what you need
You will need to buy a orbital buffer to get them out.
There are numerous products out there made from numerous quality companies.
Ican only speak to Meguairs but others such as Zaino also have items.
1. What you want to do is wash and clay to make sure the area is completely clean.
2.Then start mild and get more aggresive as needed to remove.
Use an orbital with ScratchX
3. If this does not work move to something that is more aggresive but with the understanding that you are cutting into your clear to do this.
Light scratch remover , then medium scratch remover with an aggresive pad and then ONLY if you have to move to diamond cut.
4. you will now have to reverse everything above..... what you have done is scratch the surface more by using these products to remove the swirls..... so when you reverse it makes the scratches lighter and lighter until they can no longer be seen with the eye.
If you need more help or product call
1-800-854-8073 and ask for Mike Phillips , Paul Ruiz or Greg Stahl and explain . Tell them I told you to call and they will get you what you need
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Pinckney MI
What I was referring to in the original post was caused by using using an orbital buffer to wax the car. The "swirl" can only be seen in direct sunlight when looking at the surface at an angle other than perpedicular. If car is not in direct concentrated light they can not be seen. I am afraid if I apply any more product with the buffer I will be running into the same problem. Please advise.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
Likes: 0
From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by dstchur
What I was referring to in the original post was caused by using using an orbital buffer to wax the car. The "swirl" can only be seen in direct sunlight when looking at the surface at an angle other than perpedicular. If car is not in direct concentrated light they can not be seen. I am afraid if I apply any more product with the buffer I will be running into the same problem. Please advise.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 54
From: Murrieta CA
I had the same situation and was lucky enough to be able to remove them by hand using Scratch X. I will be investing in the Porter Cable Orbital Buffer in the near future though for polishing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
A clay bar will not remove swirls, only contaminents in the paint. That being said, a clay bar is a good start but you may need to follow up with different products to remove the swirls.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
Likes: 0
From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by LiquidDI
the first step is to wash your car with dawn to get all the old wax off. then you clay the car and then wax it. It will look like glass. Trust me.
Try this...take a Crayon and write on the hood of your DD wash it with dawn....what happens??? Nothing it is still there maybe a little lighter but it is there.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Killeen TX
go to www.griotsgarage.com and check out their products. You need a random orbital, not a rotary polisher. The Porter Cable from Griots works great as I've used it on my black C4 with outstanding results (using Griots products as well).
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 21
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Damn... all these helpful hints... some good, some not so good.
Claybaring won't remove swirl marks. After you wax your car, you need a swirl remover. If you use a buffer, you must use a foam waffle pad. If you are doing it by hand, get some 3M hand glaze.
The very best thing you can use is some 3M "fill n glaze" if you can still find it. It's around but hard to find. In either case, you can use both by hand and they'll remove your swirl marks.
As one member mentioned, it wouldn't hurt to use some Dawn soap and wash the car and then wax it. It's a good start.
Mark
Claybaring won't remove swirl marks. After you wax your car, you need a swirl remover. If you use a buffer, you must use a foam waffle pad. If you are doing it by hand, get some 3M hand glaze.
The very best thing you can use is some 3M "fill n glaze" if you can still find it. It's around but hard to find. In either case, you can use both by hand and they'll remove your swirl marks.
As one member mentioned, it wouldn't hurt to use some Dawn soap and wash the car and then wax it. It's a good start.
Mark
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: South Park (Pittsburgh) PA
Dstchur, many good suggestions below. 3M hand glaze suggested by MY Red C4 (below) is an easy way to try to fix your marks. I have used it on my black coupe and it works perfectly. Hope this helps.
Bob
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
Clay bar...OMG, not the wretched CLAY BAR! 
I had some idiot back into my '04 vert and her wonderful Ford Taurus left distinguishable horizontal plastic scratches on my rear bumper. My nephew had a RANDOM ORBITAL buffer because he used to work at a high end used car lot so we first used Mequires scratch remover but there wasn't enough ummmph to even touch the scratch. I was a nervous wreck because I was worried about going through the clear coat so I avoided anything harsh. I finally gave up and then whipped out Meguires 9 and put a little more pressure on the RANDOM ORBITAL buffer. You cannot tell it was ever hit by another car! I was absolutely astonished that the orbital buffer did NOT damage the clear coat nor cause additional scratches. It looks just as it did 6 months ago when I took delivery of the vehicle.
I had some idiot back into my '04 vert and her wonderful Ford Taurus left distinguishable horizontal plastic scratches on my rear bumper. My nephew had a RANDOM ORBITAL buffer because he used to work at a high end used car lot so we first used Mequires scratch remover but there wasn't enough ummmph to even touch the scratch. I was a nervous wreck because I was worried about going through the clear coat so I avoided anything harsh. I finally gave up and then whipped out Meguires 9 and put a little more pressure on the RANDOM ORBITAL buffer. You cannot tell it was ever hit by another car! I was absolutely astonished that the orbital buffer did NOT damage the clear coat nor cause additional scratches. It looks just as it did 6 months ago when I took delivery of the vehicle.
Last edited by Vettlldo; Sep 20, 2004 at 10:20 PM.