I am thinking of just taking my car to a body shop and having them detail my whole car and take out the swirls. But before i go spend a few hundred bucks, i was wondering what you guys had for advice. Basically, i don't wanna mess up my paint job trying to take the swirls away, so help me out please

 

wash your car then clay it, then use some swirl remover on your car, then wax it. And say buh bye to swirls.

 

What kind of clay do you recommmend? I tried using the meguiars once, and that stuff just stuck onto my car and it was hard to remove. Ever since that, i've been to scared to try it again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gambit33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wash your car then clay it, then use some swirl remover on your car, then wax it. And say buh bye to swirls. </TD></TR></TABLE>

There you have it, that's what I would do.

 

i use clay magic for claying the car. And meguiars for the wax, and swirl remover.

 

Does using that method remove the swirls temporarily? Or is it permanent? Aren't there some swirl removers that are the "filler" type?

 

it will remove the swirls for a long time, but the more you wash your car and drive it, the quicker the swirls will come back. I need to do that again to my own car. I havent done it to my car for about 6 months now. But trust me your paint will look new again, and the best part when you drop a towel or something on the hood it will slide off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StinkyTofu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What kind of clay do you recommmend? I tried using the meguiars once, and that stuff just stuck onto my car and it was hard to remove. Ever since that, i've been to scared to try it again. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you prep the clay first? You want to knead it, like dough before using it, to soften it up, and be sure to use plenty of water or spray to keep the surface wet.

 

You have to use detailing spray to lubricate the clay. A tip is to use small chunks at a time. That way you can toss it out if your clay gets contaminated. If your clay falls on the ground, toss it.

the meguires and mother's 3 stage cleaning systems will hide the swirls but its only temporary and will require 3 coats (for each stage respectively).


the truth is, you cant beat a good detail job where they compound the entire car. Its worth it if your car is a few years old and needs a sprucing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rodrez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Did you prep the clay first? You want to knead it, like dough before using it, to soften it up, and be sure to use plenty of water or spray to keep the surface wet. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Let me add to this.

Before you clay, use Dawn diswashing liquid to take off any old wax. After you rinse the suds off, do not dry the car off. Leave it wet and then use the spray during the clay process.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IntEGNYC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You have to use detailing spray to lubricate the clay. A tip is to use small chunks at a time. That way you can toss it out if your clay gets contaminated. If your clay falls on the ground, toss it.

the meguires and mother's 3 stage cleaning systems will hide the swirls but its only temporary and will require 3 coats (for each stage respectively).


the truth is, you cant beat a good detail job where they compound the entire car. Its worth it if your car is a few years old and needs a sprucing.
</TD></TR></TABLE>so I guess you cant re-use the clay right??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITRbroham &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Let me add to this.

Before you clay, use Dawn diswashing liquid to take off any old wax. After you rinse the suds off, do not dry the car off. Leave it wet and then use the spray during the clay process.</TD></TR></TABLE>I thoguht dishwashig soap was bad for your paint?, maybe its just to get the wax off right???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eg6ken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thoguht dishwashig soap was bad for your paint?, maybe its just to get the wax off right???</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, just bad for wax!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eg6ken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so I guess you cant re-use the clay right??</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have before, when I ran out. My friend needed help cleaning up his car, so I reused some. I would knead the clay inside out a bunch of times, and it was still effective

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rodrez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I have before, when I ran out. My friend needed help cleaning up his car, so I reused some. I would knead the clay inside out a bunch of times, and it was still effective</TD></TR></TABLE>thanks, I've been wondering about that for a while

 

use this stuff called "satin creme" it has like clay additives, sealent, and carnuba wax. took all my swirl marks away.

 

Wow, thanks for all the help guys. Definitely some good information to know in this thread. I will definitely try this out when i have a day that i don't have to work. I anticipate this taking a good 6-8 hours to do...boy will that be fun =\

 

I my experience (semipro detailer), clay doesn't really remove swirls. It smooths out the paint surface beautifully, though.

Meguiar's Swirl Remover and a random orbital buffer after claying will greatly reduce swirls, though.