Swirl Marks on Delivery

[ksoze]

After a few weeks with my Black Ultimate, noticing fairly extensive swirl marks mainly on the hood and trunk. Suspect it was from routine dealer washes, as the car was on dealer lots for almost a year, based on the born date last July. It is not noticeable until in the right light, but is still annoying when washing or in garage light.

Have owned many black or dark cars and know both the highs and lows. Would have preferred to get the car before the dirty towels and brushes were on it, but too late now. Unless getting the car off the truck, not much to do. May bring to dealer and see if they want to offer a polish, but not so sure want the same crews that do quick washes messing with the paint.

First world problems....

 

[Aquineas]

I wouldn't take it to them. I would find someone that specializes in paint correction.

 

[Alwaysforward]

I have had good luck with this stuff

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product/scratchx-20

followed up with this...

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product/ultimate-polish

Then finishing with a good wax like Zymol.

 

[mdsbuc]

A lot of folks clay their cars to get rid of the swirl marks. I usually let someone that's experienced do it about once a year. That's because I use the automated washes for the rest of the year.

 

[xsolara]

I have had good luck with this stuff

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product/scratchx-20

followed up with this...

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product/ultimate-polish

Then finishing with a good wax like Zymol.

I agree...this stuff works well to remove swirls... Just about all the products Mequiars makes are great for car care

 

[scottdk]

I wouldn't take it to them. I would find someone that specializes in paint correction.

+1 - do not bother with the dealer they will enhance the swirls.

 

[scottdk]

A lot of folks clay their cars to get rid of the swirl marks. I usually let someone that's experienced do it about once a year. That's because I use the automated washes for the rest of the year.

A clay bar does not remove swirls. A clay bar removed contaminates from the finish and makes smooth-as-glass finish.

 

[mdsbuc]

A clay bar does not remove swirls. A clay bar removed contaminates from the finish and makes smooth-as-glass finish.

OK, I stand corrected. My detailer does more than just clay, so I guess it is in the polishing process that the swirls are removed?

 

[StarPower]

You can polish it yourself. There are several good online tutorials (here's one example) to guide you, and as long as you follow them and use a dual action orbital buffer you're unlikely to damage your paint.

You could also go to a professional detailer if you'd rather not do it yourself. However, I've seen a lot of "pros" who are more concerned with speed than perfection. They may either be very aggressive (removes more clearcoat than is necessary and may lead to paint failure later on), or cause other defects (e.g. holograms). Make sure you do your research before handing car over to someone else to polish.

 

[Sheep]

Had the exact same thing when I picked up mine. Also black, and replacing my black VW Passat. Anecdotal difference between the two companies/dealerships is that VW gave me the car polished, waxed, close to flawless (made me wait 1 extra day for delivery) without me even asking (it was pretty clean to begin with). Hyundai I had to complain about how dirty the car was at delivery, my salesman made it right when I came in for the tire replacement and had them "detail it", needless to say I picked up the car for a second time with the same swirl marks, and not even the faintest hint of wax, I think they tickled it with water. Man was my salesman pissed, tried to personally pick up part of the tab for the rear badge replacement I had them do (literally took his personal credit card out of wallet when I went to pay).

Just thought I would share my long winded experience from last month for all of you also sitting at work reading these forums on a Friday.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[ksoze]

Decided to do it myself, not a total stranger to consumer detailing.

Provided an excuse to finally buy a Porter Cable 7424 DA. Will use BlackFire SRC Finishing Polish first and if no progress use their Scratch Resistant Clear Compound and then Polish. Will then finish with their Wet Diamond polymer sealant which I really like. Hopefully this will bring it back to how it was when it got on the boat in Korea.

 

[Alwaysforward]

Be sure to post up some before and after pics...

 

[ksoze]

Did a test section of the right trunk area. Used the Porter Cable and BlackFire twins noted above. Initially tried with a polishing pad with the BF Finishing polish, but then went up one pad to mild cutting and used the compound, followed by the polish. Hyundai evidently has "hard" paint and needed the compound. Good results, swirls all but gone.

This pics are before and after - the Caspian Black has sparkles, so that is what you see as dust specs. Will do rest of car based on these results. Will try for better pics - tough to get an angle and light to capture.

 

[greekgeek]

Nice work. Just a word of caution, "paint" on the bumper appears to be film based without a hard clear coat.

 

[ksoze]

Nice work. Just a word of caution, "paint" on the bumper appears to be film based without a hard clear coat.

Thanks, good tip. Intend to stick to hood, trunk and doors and panels that are clear coated. Most of the damage from the dealer wash sadists are on those areas anyway.

 

[ksoze]

Hood and trunk done - 95% less swirls. Finished with BlackFire Wet Diamond. This is what it should have looked like off the boat.

 

[Alwaysforward]

Awesome work Ksoze. Your hired. When can you do mine

 

[ksoze]

Awesome work Ksoze. Your hired. When can you do mine

Hah, not too soon...I'm beat.

Will do the doors and sides in a few weeks and add a coat of BlackFire Midnight Sun carnauba wax. Then ready for the winter.

 

[greekgeek]

Dayum that looks so nice, guess I need to get started on mine, same color, same dealer induced fine swirls

 

[ksoze]

Dayum that looks so nice, guess I need to get started on mine, same color, same dealer induced fine swirls

Let me know if interested, be happy to share the details and exact products successfully used.

Now I just need to get a sign printed "PLEASE DO NOT WASH" to put on the dash when in for service.