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Re: Help! Swirl marks on back, first wash after wa (archive)
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Posted by BLK330i on December 11, 2000 at 14:42:36:

In Reply to: Help! Swirl marks on back, first wash after wax posted by Treyy on December 10, 2000 at 19:28:28:

This is a constant battle for me too (as with any black car). Here are my approaches.

First, distinguish between swirl marks that are scratches as opposed to a chemical swirl. The way to tell the difference is to take your damp P21S drying towel and wipe the car (only if there is no dust on the paint). If the marks change, it is a chemical residue. If not, then they are scratches.

If you find it is a chemical residue, go over the entire car with a damp cotton towel - that should do it.

If they are scratches, use the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. A cleaner or polish is a mistake unless you have blemishes that need to be removed. Finish-up with One Grand Blitz Wax.

With a black car, you must carefully consider everything that thouches your paint. The towels must be 100% cotton and make sure you do NOT use fabric softener when you wash them as it will leave a chemical residue that resembles swirl marks. Also, be sure the towel is completely clean.

Once you have removed the swirl marks, try a product called One Grand Show-Off to detail the car between washings. Use this instead of a duster.

Also, do not use soap on the paint unless there is stubborn dirt. Spray the car with water and let it sit for a couple of minutes. This allows the water to break the surface tension between the dirt and the paint. Then, gently rinse the dirt away. If you must use soap, try Sonax Gloss Shampoo.

All products are available at carcareonline.com.

Good Luck!


So I used meguiars paint cleaner, and high-tech yellow wax on my blk/blk 330i last week. Looked great, swirls marks were hard to find. I washed my car today and where the swirls marks were apparent, on the trunk lid and hood, they are back again in full force. Anyone got any remedy for this? Will this always happen the first wash after I get rid of these creatures? Should I have used that 3M hand glaze instead of the meguiar paint cleaner? I know there are more important things in the world to worry about then swirl marks, but this makes me depressed.




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