Ok, since i got my car i been taking care of it and i wash it and polish it with miguires next gen 2.0 and take it off with a back and forth motion with a terry cloth i got from walmart or ICE package. I have more swirl marks on my car then i kno what to do with. I thought i was doing it right all along until i saw this forum. Whats the trick? the trick to the full exterior shine/glaze that is show room quality. I have a 00' GT and i pretty much gave up on ever getting it to look like a new GT's paint. Whats the trick, steps, brands, products, clothes, technique? I want to go for that show room quality look (BY HAND). And i DO NOT care how long, or how many hours it will take. I will easiely devote 12 hrs in a day to my car if i have too. So please... tell me the tricks. I saw the FAQ but i really want everyones advice on this. thanks

 

it is probably your washing method. that is what it normally is with most beginner detailers. i would invest in a grit guard to go at the bottom of your bucket or use the 2 bucket method. this will keep the dirt out of your wash water. i also have a towel dedicated to the upper portions of my car, and a towel that i use just for wheels, and the fenders and stuff that catch all the dirt and grime. and the only towels that touch my car are microfibers. none of that terry towel stuff, or bathroom towels or chamois. i dry with the amazing dryer that i picked up from obsessive detail. to get rid of the swirls that are already there, you are going to have to use a good polish and then top that with wax. the polish can be done by hand, but you wont get the results quite like you can with a machine. and your arm is going to feel like jello at the end of the day. check out juztangs site at obsessivedetail.com and he has everything you need and great customer service.

 

i too have two different wash cloths, one for the car, and one for the wheels...also after your wax, get some quick mist detailer and spray it on there and just rub the hell out of it until it comes out smooth, i had some swirls in my paint (well on top) after i waxed my car and it just took some of that detailer spray and some elbow grease to get the swirl marks out

 

Photos of these"swirls marks that you don't know what to do with" would be helpful. A close shot of your hood......well light, (but not in direct sunlight) could help us guide you.

 

if he is using a buffer its just because he hasnt removed all the wax like i said, just use the quick mist detailer spray and elbow grease the hell out of it...ALSO VERY IMPORTANT, DO NOT USE A BUFFER THAT ONLY GOES IN A CIRCLE, MAKE SURE IT HAS AN UP AND DOWN MOTION TO IT AS WELL!!! IF YOU DONT IT WILL CAUSE SWIRL MARKS IN YOU CLEAR COAT THAT CAN ONLY BE TAKEN OUT (FROM MY UNDERSTANDING) BY REPAINTED THE BODY PANEL

 

not only using 2 different wash clothes BUT i made up a grate for the bottom of the bucket. That way the mit never drops to the bottom of the bucket if i toss it in. leaves some seperation from the dirt thats settled. I usally try to just hang the mit off the side of the bucket quick though too.

some of it can be the wax itself as well. for the most part when you get rid of the swirls youre jst softening the edge and filling it with wax and thats why it seems to disappear.

 

a good polish will actually get rid of the swirls. most of the better polishes dont contain fillers, that way you can actually see how well its working. most of the mainstrem mothers and meguiars stuff has fillers so it tricks the consumer into thinking the product is working correctly (when most dont). then, after the polish, you should top that with a sealant or wax or both for protection, depth, gloss.