Preventing Swirl Marks on Car

jayr99 on 09/10/2019 - 16:32

Just wanted to ask you dark colour car folk.. if you use correct wash techniques (i.e. two bucket wash method, drying with a microfibre towel etc), does this pretty much eliminate the possibility of getting swirl marks and scratches everywhere, or are swirl marks inevitable nonetheless? What is your experience?

I've been driving a white car for the past 7 years and am starting to get tired of the plain look especially when I see dark blue, grey and black cars on the road which show reflections and all. Only positive I see is that white does not show any scratches, swirls etc. and generally looks clean. There are some dark cars I see that have fine scratches on a sunny day and I often wonder whether they came from the owner hand washing them at home or whether they just drove through an automatic car wash.

So yeah, in a nutshell, do you stil get scratches and marring even though you use correct washing techniques?

Automotive

Comments

  • kolorijo on 09/10/2019 - 16:45
    -1

    Once you go black, you'll never go back.

    white does not show any scratches, swirls etc. and generally looks clean.

    I am getting myself a white car now

    • jayr99 on 10/10/2019 - 13:45

      I hear you, just tired of the look

  • Press2 on 09/10/2019 - 16:45
    +3

    Two bucket method, with a plush wash mitt and a clean microfiber drying towel is the way to go. Being a white car you will still be able to spot the swirl marks under direct light, eg. shine a torch above the panel.

    I've been using the two bucket method with a lot of Bowdens Own products after my car had its paint corrected for ceramic coating. either the ceramic coating is stopping the swirls from showing or the two bucket method is doing it's job.

    I think the key is to ensure everything is clean, no point cleaning a car with a wash mitt that's sat in a dirty shed for months, drying the car with a microfiber drying towel that's been used before etc. there's some great products that you can use to clean microfibers that bring them back to new.

  • mini2 on 09/10/2019 - 16:57
    +4

    Snow foaming it first to get rid of the initial layer of contaminants before 2 bucket it.

  • kahn on 09/10/2019 - 17:45

    The above two comments are correct, but fine scratches/swirls over time are inevitable. The less you touch the paint, the better. It also depends what kind of clear coat the car manufacturer used as some are softer than others.

    Another tip is to use a leaf blower or one of the fancy blowers from waxit. However, they're only useful if your paint is somewhat hydrophobic from a wax/sealant/coating.

  • Somni on 09/10/2019 - 18:06

    I think the problem is that any scratches and marring will be more visible on black cars. It's why detailers charge more for black cars. Swirl marks will definitely be avoided if you are meticulous with your wash method. Consider multiple mitts even.

  • Ragnarok1983 on 09/10/2019 - 19:00
    +2

    Check out AMMO NYC on youtube if you want a Master Class on how to wash and detail cars

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnQdy5ctlOI

    1. Always use pressure jet to loosen dirt - beware of pressure used
    2. Clean your buckets before hand
    3. Clean your sponges and chammies
    4. Use snow foam
    5. Make sure sponge and chammies do not have any stuck debris, regularly clean as you go along.
    6. Make sure your drying towel is clean
    7. Wax your car
    • Hero on 11/10/2019 - 21:07

      Do not use chammies unless you want to have scratch marks. Use microfibre towels to dry your car.

  • itsmattaitken on 09/10/2019 - 19:27

    Man unless you're washing ALL the time and not driving on open road, you're going to get swirl marks. Don't get too OCD about it.

  • AdosHouse on 09/10/2019 - 20:12
    +1

    You won't prevent swirl marks.

    I have always washed my car like this, snow foam, rinse, two bucket clean using very nice product and gloves, and drying with very nice microfibre towels, and my black car still has swirls all over.

    Just accept it.

    • jayr99 on 10/10/2019 - 13:46

      damn that kinda sucks. Still gonna go with black anyways

      • AdosHouse on 10/10/2019 - 15:48

        I have no regrets with going black. Except summer. F U QLD Summer.

  • FoxJump on 09/10/2019 - 22:21

    Don't use a kitchen scourer.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/10/2019 - 17:33

    I had 2 white cars for last 10 years both new, just got a another new one in crystal granite in June, absolutely love it. Only got white as that's all that was in stock when i needed them, wouldn't get white again by choice.

  • casho on 12/10/2019 - 13:06

    The trick with microfibre towels is to lay it on the panel and let it absorb the water. Don't manually swipe it left and right like you used to do with chamois as this causes scratches.

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