How to prevent swirl marks

[rdf]

Brian,
I don't think straight lines are necessarily any easier to remove from the finish than circular marks are. IME, the big thing to consider is reflectivity.

You see swirls or scratches mostly because the sun (or other light source) hits the painted surface and illuminates the scratch/swirl mark. A straight line will "catch the light" from one angle. If you have a circular mark in the finish (like from moving your wash media, microfiber towel, or applicator in a circular motion vs a straight line) that circular mark can catch the light from just about any angle, hence the swirls would seem to be more visible or noticeable.

A round light source, like the sun or many flashlights, will make most swirls appear to be circular. To me, anyway.

The person who figures out how to wash a car really clean, without touching it at all, and without degrading or removing the LSP, will be one rich rascal.

ETA: We were typing at the same time. I see you mention washing in straight lines. I'll leave this here anyway as food for thought.

[YankeeFan]

I tend to add a cap or so of ONR to both buckets to add some lubrication. I also tend to empty and refill the rinse bucket at least once, during winter months couple more times.

I own a Honda, so it's a battle trying to minimize swirls after Spring polish.

Howard

[tdekany]

What color and make model is it?? What type of wash mitt? Each panel should be rinsed right away, unless I misunderstanding you.

[BrianMcLeod]

Yes I do a Viking wash MIT it washes off the dirt easy and yes I do rinse off each panel

[BrianMcLeod]

Oh 2006 dodge

Lexus and honda not mine cars I wash

[FUNX650]

I am wondering how to prevent swirl marks I use grit guards straight motions but I feel like I am missing something

Straight motions that causes swirls (a "type" of scratch) can appear circular.

Please see below.

Brian,
I don't think straight lines are necessarily any easier to remove from the finish than circular marks are. IME, the big thing to consider is reflectivity.

You see swirls or scratches mostly because the sun (or other light source) hits the painted surface and illuminates the scratch/swirl mark. A straight line will "catch the light" from one angle. If you have a circular mark in the finish (like from moving your wash media, microfiber towel, or applicator in a circular motion vs a straight line) that circular mark can catch the light from just about any angle, hence the swirls would seem to be more visible or noticeable.

A round light source, like the sun or many flashlights, will make most swirls appear to be circular. To me, anyway.

The person who figures out how to wash a car really clean, without touching it at all, and without degrading or removing the LSP, will be one rich rascal.

ETA: We were typing at the same time. I see you mention washing in straight lines. I'll leave this here anyway as food for thought.

^^^^^^

And to add something from a 2008 Mike Phillips article, that still holds true today:

"The scratches are not specifically circle scratches, they could be a all straight-line scratches
but the effect is they look circular because the point of light is circular and the light hitting
the hundreds of thousands of scratches are all reflecting back to the center of the point of light
making it look as though the scratches are all circular when that's not the case".

Hope this helps.



Bob

[Detailing by M]

Don't touch it

Sent while I was Detailing or something related to detailing or...