I'm looking to give my Octy 3 VRS a proper detail, including sealing. Before I do this I'd like some advice on swirl marks as my car seems to be covered in them. They're hard to see as it's a white car but I know they're there, and I don't want them there.

The question is; should I "cut" them out or fill them?

I saw this post which seems to look similar to my paint work, mine is probably not as extreme though, and they have been cured with Megs Ultimate Compound with, what I'd say were, amazing results!

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?52491-Detailed-1997-Honda-Accord-White

But I've read Megs UC is quite a harsh product?

All work will be done by hand as Im a newbie to this detailing malarkey. Not sure if it's relevant or would make a difference, but I've decided on Carlack 68 to seal and protect the paint work. I'm fairly happy with the steps of how the detail will go, I'm just stuck with these swirls!

I will attempt to get a picture of the swirls once the snow/ice has melted away.

Thanks in advance guys and gals.

Removing them is the best long term fix, followed by a good routine to reduce the chance on them re-occuring in the future.

(No local hand car washes and dispose of any sponges owned! Or use them no apply tyre gel etc.

 

Filling them can be effective but ultimatley the swirls will reappear.

 

Saying that and reading for your needs - For all by hand filling them with a routine every couple of months may be more suitable for you.

removal by hand is possible but hard work.

 

I'll class myself as a newbie and a few far more experienced will be along shortly.

 

Last point its addictive and can get expensive, a very slippery slope but sooooo much fun and payback in terms of shine!

Thanks WookieeM!

I binned off the local car washes and only wash myself now; no sponges, 2BM and so on, so I'm not sure how I've got the swirls :/

I'm not too fussed about it taking a long time by hand as I want the best result for the paint/car/looks, not the easiest way; I'll quite happily spend a whole day detailing properly to get it swirl free and sealed

I'm well aware of the addiction; washing my own car and getting it gleaming is a good feeling, the extra shine from removing those swirls (if I can get similar results as in that link) and properly sealing the paint will be amazing!

If working by hand try a polish with a very light cut and some filling ability, auto glym super resin polish for example.  I know I'm the only person here that will say this, but I have used one of the £25 ish buffers to apply AGSRP and waxes and sealants for years and it saves a lot of hard work.   However, for real swirl removal you need a better tool.

 

If you decide you want the permanent swirl removal you could use a local detailer, then maintain the shine yourself.

 

Even with the best routine, 2BM after a snow foam and pressure wash, swirls and random scratches occur slowly, the paint has dirt on it and every time the car is touched there is a risk of scratches.  Hence the need to polish and restore shine from time to time.

 

I'd suggest try AGSRP initially as it's cheap, see how you find the result, and consider saving up for a da polisher or an occasional professional detail.

Oh and BTW a car the size of an Octy, full detail (wash 2bm, detar, deiron, rinse,clay, dry, polish, seal) even with a da polisher is a long days work. If working by hand you might want to consider doing the car a few panels at a time over 2 or 3 Sundays or such like.

Thanks Neiln!

I know it'll be a long day by hand, I've been looking DA polishers to help speed up the process; the idea of using one is a little daunting but I've read that people get the knack of using them pretty quickly.

I think my Octy came with some SRP with its life shine package, not touched anything in that though so might be wrong but I'll have a look

I'll try and get a picture of the swirls today to show how "bad" they are.

I did an estate Octavia 3 not long ago - white too.  As it was new it looked clean so only needed a light polish (a cutting polish, to clarify) and then protecting.

 

All in all, this was done in about 5 hours, and that's with the use of machines and various things to speed up some processes.

Edited 16 February, 201610 yr by devonutopia

Personally I would not entertain trying to remove them by hand it really will take forever, either buy a DA (they are virtually idiot proof) or use SRP which will fill the swirls and still make the car look good... but the fillers will wash off.

 

Even with a polisher it takes me all day to do a car (wash, de-tar, clay, wash, polish, IPA wipe down and wax) thats including the inside and glass. I don’t usually do the wheels at the same time as that can take over half a day on it’s own (wheels removed, washed, clayed, polished and sealed, oh and the discs / callipers painted if needed!)