Car buffing - partial swirls

[mbpress01]

I have a black Lexus GS 350 - 3 mos old. Of course, swirl marks from the dealership on the hood but remaining car is perfect. What is the proper technique for a car with swirls on only parts of the body assuming all other paint prep was done and non-swirl body parts are in excellent to show car condition.

- remove swirls with a least aggressive product (say a light compound) and after complete use a "jeweling" polish on whole car

-remove swirls with a least aggressive product and then go over whole car with the same product and then re-polish with jewel polish - add significant time to process

- remove swirls only with a least aggressive product, do process to remove any remaining product and then apply a sealant or wax - saves a lot of time.

It seems like step c is the best - you get your desired result without removing unnecessarily any clear coat.

Any comments appreciated.

[fly07sti]

I'd say it's a mix between your first and last procedure. I'd wash, clay then proceed to test with least aggressive product to remove swirls. Once you're satisfied with correction. Walk around the car to see if it looks uniform in clarity. If you're good with it's looks then use whichever LSP you choose. If during the walk around the clarity is better in some places then others, use a finishing polish to go over everything to even out your shine, then use your LSP of choice.

[Mike Phillips]

assuming all other paint prep was done and non-swirl body parts are in excellent to show car condition.


- remove swirls only with a least aggressive product, do process to remove any remaining product and then apply a sealant or wax - saves a lot of time.




IF the car's a daily driver I'd go with the last option.

Keep it simple...


:xyxthumbs:

[Bmw123]

I had a brand new car in January 2014 and then against all my instincts and against all the wisdom from extensive reading of the threads of Autogeek, I took the car to the dealership for "cleaning and detailing" and it was a disaster. And guess what, all at the dealership claimed to see no swirls at all !!!!

And then I called Mike Phillips in desperation and VIOLA, look how fantastic the car became...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/81125-2014-bmw-535i-removing-dealership-holograms-swirls-scratches.html

I now follow all what I learned from Mike and the car continues looking great and drawing stares

[cardaddy]

Of course you always want to use the least aggressive method, that provides the BEST or moreover the most acceptable results (that you can live with).

Question though... Are you sure it is clear coated? Toyota (and Lexus by extension) have used, and still use single stage paint on black, white, and even red to this day. Easy enough to test that theory. Just put a little compound on a hand held foam applicator pad and do a test area in an out of the way spot. If the applicator turns black then you know it's single stage.

Then if it is, you REALLY need to be careful in how you maintain it. Because that single stage black is stupid soft, and will swirl when the wind blows. :eek: That'll drastically effect how/what method(s) you use to correct it. As well as what you use to actually do the correction.

FWIW Black Obsidian (paint code 212) is clear coated. But it still scratches very VERY easily!!!!!!!!!

Black Onyx (paint code 202) has traditionally been single stage, although I think lately it's clear coated as well.

Were it me, I'd correct it ASAP and get a couple layers of coating on it right away. Doesn't have that same "sensual feel" as a sealant, but the look and more importantly the maintenance in keeping it up as a daily driver are much easier. JMHO of course, and of course ymmv. ;)

[Mike Phillips]

I had a brand new car in January 2014 and then against all my instincts and against all the wisdom from extensive reading of the threads of Autogeek, I took the car to the dealership for "cleaning and detailing" and it was a disaster. And guess what, all at the dealership claimed to see no swirls at all !!!!

And then I called Mike Phillips in desperation and VIOLA, look how fantastic the car became...

2014 BMW 535i - Removing Dealership Holograms, Swirls and Scratches (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/81125-2014-bmw-535i-removing-dealership-holograms-swirls-scratches.html)

I now follow all what I learned from Mike and the car continues looking great and drawing stares




Good to hear the update... and what a beautiful car it is....


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=77022


People reading this into the future....


DON'T LET DEALERSHIPS "TOUCH" YOUR CAR'S PAINT.

DON'T LET THEM WASH IT

DON'T LET THEM WAX IT

DON'T LET THEM DETAIL IT IN ANYWAY



It's just not worth the pain and agony let alone the time, money and energy required to undo their damage.

And considering how thin the factory clearcoat is it's kind of a property crime when they do inflict swirls and scratches into the paint because the only way to remove the swirls and scratches is to remove MORE paint to a car that already has THIN paint.


See this article and look at the pictures....

Clearcoats are Scratch-Sensitive (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74234-clearcoats-scratch-sensitive.html)


The factory sprayed clear layer of paint on most new cars averages around 2 mils. That's thinner than the average post-it note.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/Clearcoat_Paints_Are_Thin_01.jpg



The next time you see a post-it note... feel it between your fingers... this is usually all it takes to drive home the point as to how thin the paint is on your beautiful, shiny car.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/Clearcoat_Paints_Are_Thin_02.jpg



:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Also... click the link below, read the text and look at the pictures....


DON'T WASH CAR !!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/66855-don-t-wash-car.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/Dont_Wash_Car_001.jpg



:)