swirls and streaks

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rlawrence

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Hello - This is my first post and sorry it's long one

I recently purchased a 2005 Scion XB. After having the car for a month I noticed a lot of scratches I wanted to get out. I started with a 3m scratch remover but did not do what I wanted it to. Next I tried Ultimate Compound. Being very pleased with the results ( and having some fun ) I started to take interested in a full detail. This is the first time I have done this . I am totally new but did a lot of research before putting anything on my car.

I picked up some terry applicator pads, foam pads, microfiber towels, Meguiar's NXT wax, Clay Kit, Gold Wash and Endurance tire spray. I did all the applications in the garage of my condo after the car had been washed and dried. Applied Ultimate Compound using a little firm rubbing circles or back and forth with a foam pad until the product was clear and then wiped off with a micro fiber towel. I put on a coat of NXT wax and little sit for while but not the recommend 12 hours. The wax came off and the car looked great. I pulled outisde into direct sun light where I saw swirls and streaks everywhere. I decided to try a small area with Ultimate Compound again with the same results. I then tried scratchx with the same results using a different microfiber towel. To add when I did use Ultimate Compound before I did use a small test area. It did not even cross my mind to go out into direct sun light because there is ample light in my garage. Newbie mistake obviously.


I have tried my best but now I got to ask the experts on the best steps on how to fix this. I know to start with small area but I guess I need to know how to use the products better. How much should I use even on a small area ? How hard do I rub this ? Do I rub it in slow or fast. Those are the types of things I do not know. This all by hand until I can get a DA. Any detailed ( no pun intended ) advice is great appreciated
 
I am also new to this ,but is sounds like you need a different pad. Something that cuts better,,maybe Yellow pad.
Just my 2 cents from reading everything I could.
 
yes . I have tried foam pads and terry pads. The only thing I have not tried is applying with a mircofiber towel. Is it possible that my towels got to dirty ?
 
rlawrence said:
yes . I have tried foam pads and terry pads. The only thing I have not tried is applying with a mircofiber towel. Is it possible that my towels got to dirty ?
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Anything is possible, but I doubt thats your problem

Do you use fabric softner?
 
no I washed them with woolite in warm wash/ warm rinse. I tried with two fresh MF towels but it's still doing it. I read somewhere ( i can't remember if it was here of the meguiar's forum ) to use the quick detailer if you are getting streaks and smudges which I did. It's just a haze over of the MF towel direction. I rubbed until my arm hurt and it would not go away. my swirls look like this in direct sun light but not quite as bad .
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/21683-corvette-swirls-need-advice-please.html
 
mark58 said:
Thanks,,,THEY are in a wash now.:laughing:
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Hit the double rinse cycle to. Also check the dryer real good to make sure an old sheets not hanging on somewhere

Fabric softner on your towels will definately cause swirl/streaks looking marks, but they should wash off

Glad we got this solved. What else you got Im the MAN
 
Flash Gordon said:
Hit the double rinse cycle to. Also check the dryer real good to make sure an old sheets not hanging on somewhere

Fabric softner on your towels will definately cause swirl/streaks looking marks, but they should wash off

Glad we got this solved. What else you got Im the MAN
Click to expand...

Hey I am the highjacker!
It's Rlowrence that has issues,,,Sorry bro!
 
Man, I dunno if it's one of the contributing factors to your lack of results, but there's no way I'd ever attempt a clearcoat correction without some sort of DA or powered polisher.
 
I went back in my garage and tried small area of UC and the other small area Scratch-X. I used my camera to try to capture a swirl or streak but it do not come out right. I will read the article on it and try again.

With a product like UC or Scratch X what's the proper by hand method ? I read one article that was excellent but what I question for myself is how fast and how hard or does it matter ? I am assuming a firm side to side or circle motion is fine. I have been using about a teaspoon size of UC or scratch X. I apply it till the product is a clear slimmy film. Should I rubbed it in until there is no film left ? What about the wipe of technique? I understand the "final" wipe but what about the first. Is it a fast buffing action on a normal slow wipe off? These are the things I need to understand first I guess. I am getting this slowly but surely. It's frustrating as hell but it's fun to learn and work through the problems to see the results at the end. I know it will be worth it .
 
Try rubbing gently and let the polish do the work rather than trying to force the correction. You may be instilling scratches by rubbing too hard.

And when you can, buy a DA polisher. The work required and results will be much more satisfying.

Meanwhile, search for Mike Phillips thread on hand polishing.
 
okay, maybe that is the problem. I had been using a hard amount of pressure on both applying and wiping off. If I under correctly I can remove most surface scratches and swirls by lightly rubbing a small amount of UC until the film is clear then wipe off using light pressure with MF towel. Repeat if a swirl or scratch is still there. Using this method should remove the smudges or streaks I see ?
 
too add: is it possible that to much product is getting on my MF towel during removal? I flip sides a lot but not towels. It's night time here I was down in condo garage . I decided to test my idea. I did notice big streaks but when I used my supremene shine. They would not go away. I grabbed another no brand MF towel it looked like the streak was gone. I only have 3 towels and they all have been used but are dry and free of debris. I will not know until tomorrow whether or not it helped. I am not very hopeful but will see.

Also would it be normal to see a streak or swirl after UC or scratch until you apply wax. I use NXT but have considered getting Ultimate Polish for a pre-wax coat. Comments.. suggestions . Thanks for all replies so far

Feed back please
 
If most of the scratches are gone and it looks good in the shade but in direct sunlight it looks hazy and there are holograms get :

foam pads (not terry pads)
get a polish like Swirl X or the new Meguiars Ultimate Polish
also get good microfiber plush towels to avoid scratching the paint when wiping the polish

Then try a small section and work the polish in with a soft pad, don't let dry and wipe with a thick microfiber towel

Check the result. It should then look good. If it does continue on the entire car and apply a layer of your NXT with a foam pad.

Good luck
 
I know the auto zone up the street from me has ultimate polish as I was about to buy it today but thought I would get some feedback before doing so. I have NXT already . I think it's a great wax. My reason for getting Ultimate Polish was to remove swirls and to enhance dark paint color. My Scion XB is a dark blue with a light blue flake. Auto Zone is around the corner from me and the most convenient BUT they do not sell any decent foam pads only auto zone pads that are thin and yellow. The microfiber towels are the same. They are generic brands. I am open to suggestion of other stores to try. I am trying to avoid ordering anything so I can go ahead and take of this.
 
It is hard work and extremely time consuming to remove swirls and scratches by hand. But, you are trying to do it, you need firm/slightly heavy pressure and use your palms instead of your finger so you are applying even pressure to the pad. It sounds like you are using enough product, but I dont understand how you are getting streaks. One things for sure though, you definitely need more towels.


Also if you cant currently cant afford or want to but a DA polisher right now but want to be able to do some correction work on the cheap you can grab yourself a regular cheap random orbital polisher "wax spreader". Sure it may be a bit underpowered, but it does have the ability to remove defects. Though not as potent and fast as a DA or rotary, it sure is a lot faster than by hand and will do well on your car's medium clear/light swirls.

A little testing/playing around! - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
 
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