Any thoughts on the best way to minimize swirl marks in black, other than to never wash it?

 

I think your only bet is to be extremly careful when you wash. If your going to go to the carwash make sure it is a touchless kind. Even then you never know how often they recyle their water and how much dirt and crud they are spraying at your truck, almost like sandblasting. If you are washing it yourself make sure you rinse first, get as much of the dirt off as you can before you use an extremly soft cloth designed for washing trucks. Also make sure your water is always as clean as possible so your not rubbing the same dirt you took off back on the truck. Also wax as often as you can to procect that thin factory clear.

My truck had swirls so bad that I eventually had the truck repainted and cleared from the roof down. I was there when the painter took the old clear off and where it was, it was extremly thin, making it very prone to scratch marks. As well when you have a thin clear it becomes very difficult to buff them out.

My only advice is to be extremly carefull. There's nothing worse than having a great looking truck covered in swirls. Hope some of this info is helpful.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...0676&anum=8366

 

Wash it VERY carefully.

 

Check out www.Zainobros.com there stuff is the bomb I use there stuff on all my trucks/cars its the best!

 

Just a note here...

Keeping swirls to a minimum is all about the correct processes used in conjunction with the best detailing tools, and has very little to do with products. (with the exception of a quality car wash)

 

I have incredibly bad swirls on my truck, the NXT wax helps hide them by making it look wet, but is there anyway I can repair them other than a repaint (several thousand dollars I'd imagine).

 

I didn't realize the depth of the clear coat makes it more prone to scratchs. Are you talking about scratches in the clear or scratches in the paint?

 

A few steps of polish and a properly used PC should take out swirl marks.

 

When you wash use 2 buckets. 1 with soap and 1 with clean water to rinse the cloth with. Also use a microfiber cloth and only wash in one direction. Either horizontally or vertically and stick to washing it that exact way every time. My truck is black and I do this plus I use the NXT wax and it doesn't have many swirl marks at all. You're not going to be able to not have any but this method minimizes them alot.

 

In most cases you will never get them out. Maybe take it to a pro and pay a giant sum of money and he may not be able to guarantee you squat!

 

So oftentimes swirls are permanent. Ouch.

 

try this site, good info. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=274836

 

Swirls are scratches.... like any other type of scratch, the severity of the blemish will dictate a detailer's ability to remove or reduce the visibility. There's no 'silver bullet' unfortunately... especially on black.

A good detailer can, typically remove light to moderate swirling to a nearly complete level... moderate to heavy swirling may or may not be removed. A scratch that can be felt by a fingernail won't be removed without some type of 'body work' (paint, filler, something...).

RP

 

List,
Swirls are going to happen no matter what we do to prevent them. Now here's the trick, Swirls are micro scratches clearcoat-deep that can be removed with the proper products and equipment. Somebody mention a PC and I agree 100%, since is very easy to use and the average owner can use it without risk. Just to clear it up, I'm not talking about a rotary polisher. Leave that one to us pros. Here's what I recommend to you. If you can afford it, buy a PC, go to Meguiar's website and buy the velcro adapter and one yellow pad. If you call them, they'll tell you exactly what you need. Just don't buy their version of the PC since it's too expensive. Now, buy Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax (burgundy bottle). This product is a very good combination of abrasives and wax, and will remove minor contamination, swirls, and leave a protective coat of wax. If you try and repeat this process monthly, you will keep swirls in check and maintain a healthy coat of wax, which will prevent swirls. This product also contains fillers that will hide deeper swirls. Now, some people might argue that a regular Wal-Mart orbital and any brand wax would work, but the PC has way more torque which is very necessary to remove swirls. I recommend Megs because that's the only products I use and I know they work. A few tips: When washing use a big bucket with lots of water and soap, try to maintain the water clean. If your truck is very dirty, use two buckets; one for clean soap, the other for rinsing the sponge. Don't use terry cloth towels to dry! use a chamy or microfiber. When waxing, keep the pad clean by brushing off with soft brush. The rest is common sense, like don't drop the sponge, or drying towels....well you get the idea.
Have fun while you're at it!!

 

I've always been told you don't wash a vehicle horizontally. You wash your vehicle in the direction it was painted (i.e. side to side)


Never use a chamois. If there is anything small particles left on the paint after the final rinse and they get on the chamois you will scratch the paint and you dry your vehicle. There is nowhere for the particle(s) to go. With a micro fiber or waffle weave towel there is coushin that will allow the particles to absorb if you will into the towel and not scratch your paint.