Getting rid of swirlmarks and scratches on paintwork

Andy Wana · Postby **Andy Wana** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:28 am

As the title suggests, I am looking for ways to get rid of the fine swirlmarks and scratches on my NA8
Do I need to get one of those orbital buffers to get the job done properly?
Which polishing products should I use as well? Meguiar's? AutoGlym?

Is it worth doing it at home on your own? Or should I get a professional detailer to do it?

Steve 818 · Postby **Steve 818** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:16 am

Removing fine swirl marks need proper polishing equipment.

A 'good' polisher, proper buffing pads (light cutting pad, polishing pad, finessing pad), a good swirl remover and a good polish and a good wax/synthetic sealant, good microfiber drying cloths and a good microfiber washing mit.

If you go cheap and get second rate products then you can actually make the paint worse.

It could be cheaper to get the car professionally detailed. And don't get it done by anyone who isn't recommended.

Andy Wana · Postby **Andy Wana** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:52 am

Thanks for the advice, Steve
I was looking into doing the detailing myself to save some money
But it looks like that it might be quite pricey initially to get the good detailing products

To fellow Sydneysiders, any recommendations for good detailers?
And how much should I be looking at for it? A price range would be good

Steve 818 · Postby **Steve 818** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:17 pm

Try Detail Paradise. A number of detailers show their work on the forums there and their yellow pages should be a help as well.

drifter · Postby **drifter** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:50 pm

~$400 can get you everything you need for a \"professional\" finish home detail. Get a Bosh ROS + Pads + some Poorboy's SSR/Polish/Selant-Wax + clay kit etc. Yes, check out Detail Paradise and you can buy the products from a place like waxit.

A proper professional detail would take 3-4 hours and set you back the same amount of money and that is only for ONE detail. Having your own set of detailing products means you can give the car a proper detail 20+ times. For a $400 pro detail, they are only using ~$50 of products.

The only downside to doing it yourself is that it can take up to twice as long as a pro with a rotary.

CT · Postby CT » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:33 pm

Scratch X and a random orbital sander with a clutch (GMC) and some 6in buffer pads. Less than $100 and it will come up a gem. If they are lots of fine marks, start with a clay bar and final inspection, then scratch x, then polish and wax. It will take a saturday afternoon in the shade and make that afternoon ale taste so much better.

MEXFIVE · Postby **MEXFIVE** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:32 am

Another way to get rid of swirl marks, which are usually caused from polishing by hand in the firts place is to get a tin of MR SHEEN, just the original MR SHEEN in the red tin. Apply a light layer of this over your paintwork and a microfibre cloth........the paint comes up beautiful.

Daz 27 · Postby **Daz 27** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:32 pm

MEXFIVE wrote:Another way to get rid of swirl marks, which are usually caused from polishing by hand in the firts place is to get a tin of MR SHEEN, just the original MR SHEEN in the red tin. Apply a light layer of this over your paintwork and a microfibre cloth........the paint comes up beautiful.

that's not fixing the problem, it's just hiding it.