The Ford Barn

Ron McIntyre · 12-22-2021, 08:34 AM

Is there a product recommended for removing swirls on car paint?
I was told it is urethane paint on the car.

Oldbluoval · 12-22-2021, 09:40 AM

Both maquires and 3m make an exact product
I’m only familiar with the 3m and it’s good but not perfect.
Could be me, the applicator

Patrick L. · 12-22-2021, 10:01 AM

It may take hand rubbing with polishing compound

McMimmcs · 12-22-2021, 10:20 AM

I used Meguiars and I was disappointed. An improvement but not what I expected!

Harpkatt · 12-22-2021, 10:38 AM

There are varied grades of polish just like sandpaper. You have to work through them. However unlike sand paper I like to work backwards. Start with the finest grade and if that doesn't work move to a coarser grade. Continue to coarser grades until you remove the marks you are intending, then work back towards the fine grades. The idea is to remove as little paint as possible. If you don't have to treat the entire car with the coarser grades don't;they may only be needed in trouble areas.

These considerations are for hand polishing not machine polishing. The different buffing wheels on a machine may cause issue if not used properly
There are different grades of wheel as well and you can introduce more swirls if you're unsure what you are doing.

May be worthwhile to get a quote from a detailer and save yourself the headache. But if your like me....you won't.

rotorwrench · 12-22-2021, 10:57 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

A lot depends on whether the swirls were worked into the top coat or whether they were under the top coat and in the primer or paint substrate. Some folks do better paint prep than others and some folks get carried away with polishing procedures too.

Gary WA · 12-22-2021, 11:31 AM

Check out Griots car products! Best on the market!!

JKY · 12-22-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

I used Meguiars and I was disappointed. An improvement but not what I expected!

Can you amplify on which Meguiars and how it was disappointing? I'm looking for something too.

Richard in Anaheim CA · 12-22-2021, 03:28 PM

From the archives of this ancient brain comes an ancient tip that won't cost anything.

Back in the days of yore such as the early 1950's, the very deep blacks after the most caring of treatment would end up with ghostly "spider webs" when observed under intense light.

We used a clean cloth diaper and gentle long strokes over a light dusting of corn starch after polishing.

Make sure the car, the diaper and the corn starch is dry and don't try this with used or disposable diapers.

Richard
Anaheim, CA

todd3131 · 12-22-2021, 08:52 PM

I would suggest you go to you tube and start watching videos. Using hand polishing and old polishing techniques does not work on modern paints. You will find that each and every car will take a various types of compounds polishes and swirl removers and you will have to experiment. I have used 3m Maguires and griots products over the last 50 years and they all work it is just finding the right combo for your particular paint.

Oldbluoval · 12-22-2021, 09:01 PM

Todd- well put
Agreed! Corn starch and all that doesn’t work on new paints
Imho

chrs1961815 · 12-22-2021, 10:06 PM

The corn startch trick is for a separate issue: the fact that lacquer is so hard that it eventually spider webs. Swirl marks are usually caused by the machine buffing process.

whirnot · 12-22-2021, 10:31 PM

Contact a professional paint supplier. They will have different grades of buffing, and polishing compounds and swirl removers

Lanny · 12-22-2021, 10:40 PM

Yes contact a good paint supplier, and remember, it's not only the compound
or swirl remover you use, but also use a very fine buffing bonnet to apply it.

.

Incognito-A · 12-23-2021, 12:07 AM

3M Perfect IT system and someone who knows how to use it.

McMimmcs · 12-23-2021, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKY

Can you amplify on which Meguiars and how it was disappointing? I'm looking for something too.

Meguires Ultimate, hood swirls, what is your problem you hope to rectify?

todd3131 · 12-23-2021, 08:27 AM

If you don't have a buffer go to griots and buy there small buffer it is a 3 inch diameter but can adapt other sizes. It really works well for model a and other early cars because you can get into small areas. Also stay away from wool or cotton pads they are where swirls come from. Also if you are not familiar with running them you can burn paint . Another trick is to use masking tape on all your edges to prevent burn. You also might try a cleaner not a compound if it is just swirls and you don't need paint correction. Use a good swirl remover with the do pas. Work small areas and find the combo best for your paint.

12-22-2021, 08:34 AM	#1
Ron McIntyre Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 171	Remove Swirls Is there a product recommended for removing swirls on car paint? I was told it is urethane paint on the car.

12-22-2021, 09:40 AM	#2
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,370	Re: Remove Swirls Both maquires and 3m make an exact product I’m only familiar with the 3m and it’s good but not perfect. Could be me, the applicator

12-22-2021, 10:01 AM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Remove Swirls It may take hand rubbing with polishing compound

12-22-2021, 10:20 AM	#4
McMimmcs Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Fort Gratiot, Michigan Posts: 2,296	Re: Remove Swirls I used Meguiars and I was disappointed. An improvement but not what I expected!

12-22-2021, 10:38 AM	#5
Harpkatt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Long Island Posts: 172	Re: Remove Swirls There are varied grades of polish just like sandpaper. You have to work through them. However unlike sand paper I like to work backwards. Start with the finest grade and if that doesn't work move to a coarser grade. Continue to coarser grades until you remove the marks you are intending, then work back towards the fine grades. The idea is to remove as little paint as possible. If you don't have to treat the entire car with the coarser grades don't;they may only be needed in trouble areas. These considerations are for hand polishing not machine polishing. The different buffing wheels on a machine may cause issue if not used properly There are different grades of wheel as well and you can introduce more swirls if you're unsure what you are doing. May be worthwhile to get a quote from a detailer and save yourself the headache. But if your like me....you won't. Last edited by Harpkatt; 12-22-2021 at 10:50 AM.

12-22-2021, 10:57 AM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Remove Swirls Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A lot depends on whether the swirls were worked into the top coat or whether they were under the top coat and in the primer or paint substrate. Some folks do better paint prep than others and some folks get carried away with polishing procedures too.

12-22-2021, 11:31 AM	#7
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,104	Re: Remove Swirls Check out Griots car products! Best on the market!! __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

12-22-2021, 03:28 PM	#9
Richard in Anaheim CA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Anaheim California Posts: 551	Re: Remove Swirls From the archives of this ancient brain comes an ancient tip that won't cost anything. Back in the days of yore such as the early 1950's, the very deep blacks after the most caring of treatment would end up with ghostly "spider webs" when observed under intense light. We used a clean cloth diaper and gentle long strokes over a light dusting of corn starch after polishing. Make sure the car, the diaper and the corn starch is dry and don't try this with used or disposable diapers. Richard Anaheim, CA

12-22-2021, 08:52 PM	#10
todd3131 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: cedar rapids iowa Posts: 527	Re: Remove Swirls I would suggest you go to you tube and start watching videos. Using hand polishing and old polishing techniques does not work on modern paints. You will find that each and every car will take a various types of compounds polishes and swirl removers and you will have to experiment. I have used 3m Maguires and griots products over the last 50 years and they all work it is just finding the right combo for your particular paint.

12-22-2021, 09:01 PM	#11
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,370	Re: Remove Swirls Todd- well put Agreed! Corn starch and all that doesn’t work on new paints Imho

12-22-2021, 10:06 PM	#12
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Remove Swirls The corn startch trick is for a separate issue: the fact that lacquer is so hard that it eventually spider webs. Swirl marks are usually caused by the machine buffing process. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

12-22-2021, 10:31 PM	#13
whirnot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bend Or. Posts: 1,056	Re: Remove Swirls Contact a professional paint supplier. They will have different grades of buffing, and polishing compounds and swirl removers __________________ Bill Worden 1929 Roadster 1929 Briggs Town Sedan 1930 Closed Cab pickup Smith Motor Compressor 1951 Ford F1 High Desert Model A's

12-22-2021, 10:40 PM	#14
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: Remove Swirls Yes contact a good paint supplier, and remember, it's not only the compound or swirl remover you use, but also use a very fine buffing bonnet to apply it. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

12-23-2021, 12:07 AM	#15
Incognito-A Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Left Coast Posts: 211	Re: Remove Swirls 3M Perfect IT system and someone who knows how to use it.

12-23-2021, 08:27 AM	#17
todd3131 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: cedar rapids iowa Posts: 527	Re: Remove Swirls If you don't have a buffer go to griots and buy there small buffer it is a 3 inch diameter but can adapt other sizes. It really works well for model a and other early cars because you can get into small areas. Also stay away from wool or cotton pads they are where swirls come from. Also if you are not familiar with running them you can burn paint . Another trick is to use masking tape on all your edges to prevent burn. You also might try a cleaner not a compound if it is just swirls and you don't need paint correction. Use a good swirl remover with the do pas. Work small areas and find the combo best for your paint.