Help - Paint Swirls

techmen17

techmen17

New member
So I love my black runner, but I don't love the swirls I have all over it.
I think the previous owner used a wire brush to clean it or something :wtf:
I just washed it up and it looks great, when not in the sun...If it's bright out, all you see are swirls and scratches in the clear coat

So besides taking it to a body shop to have them fix it, what can I try first?

Buff it out? I don't want to buy a buffer that I will use maybe once a year. Drill attachments maybe?
What should I use with the buffer? Are there products I should use with it?
I'm a noob when it comes to body work and detailing, so any help would be great.

Oh and I have tried clay bar prior to my waxes, and it didn't help too much
 
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Here is what I would do:

1. Wash it using two buckets, one for clean water and soap and one to rinse your microfiber wash mitt in. Dry using a micro fiber waffle-weave towel.
(Micro fiber will not scratch your paint, bath towels will.)

2. Clay bar. This is very simple to do and will remove most embedded contaminants that get in your paint from everyday activity.

3. Rubbing compound. Using a good rubbing compound with a light cutting pad on a Dual Action polisher will help correct swirl marks.

4. Polish. Apply polish either by hand or using a polishing pad on your DA polisher, this will bring back that shine and polish out any remaining swirls.

5. Wax to seal the deal. Now that you put in all that work to get that nasty stuff out of your paint, it is now time to protect it from getting back in. I prefer Collinite 845 Insulator Wax because it is extremely durable and zips right off of it. There are a lot of great waxes out there though.

As for what specific products to use, I like almost everything Meguiar's has to offer.

I am simply a guy who finds passion in detailing vehicles. There are a few detailing pros on here that might have something to say though.

You can find a lot of answers to your questions at Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
 
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Great info guys, I will try and pick up some buffer attachments for my drill and go from there.
I always forget about J.A......the Yoda of 4runners
 
I found myself the same situation, and when i found autogeek.net it unleashed something fierce.

Normal washing and waxing would and will only cover the imperfections and even a decent compound applied by hand will only fix as well as you are applying it. A machine does it consistently.

I've tried everything i could by hand but I just wasn't happy. I ended up buying the porter cable DA (new one) and a variety of compounds, polishes, waxes etc.

Meg's 105/205 combo for the swirls
Menzerma sealant (6 months protection)
Pinnacle Soverign wax (2 mths but make the paint "pop")
assorted 5.5 and 3.5 pads.

My runner was my first job like this and it took me 14 hrs on just the paint and while i did make mistakes, i learned and corrected them quickly. I have since done a few others and I'm getting better every time. It is now another stress relief.

some reflection shots
DSC01662.jpg~original


DSC01660.jpg~original


DSC01663.jpg~original


my advice: if you have the patience and desire, pony up some $ and do it yourself, (i probably spent ~$500 for everything) and will never spend that again (except for product) and can actually make money by doing it for others. Good money too.

or

pay a professional to do it, depending on where you live it can be between $150-$300.
 
Whoa good job scoobydann, that thing is shinin!

Although I don't think I'm going to buy a DA, I did buy a buffer that has a drill attachment. And I think I'm going to go and try a polish, seal, and wax job. I'm all about DIY...so we shall see how it goes.
 
techmen17 said:
Whoa good job scoobydann, that thing is shinin!

Although I don't think I'm going to buy a DA, I did buy a buffer that has a drill attachment. And I think I'm going to go and try a polish, seal, and wax job. I'm all about DIY...so we shall see how it goes.
Click to expand...

Don't know what type of buffer drill attachment you got, but be careful. The dual action random orbital buffers like the Porter Cable are made specifically for applying polishes and waxes to cars and are practically idiot proof (read: won't let you screw your paint up beyond repair). I would suggest getting a Porter Cable like I did a few years ago. I only use it 4 times per year (twice on my vehicle and twice on my wifes) but it is well worth the investment for what you'll pay to have it done by a professional 4 times a year. Spend a lot of time at autogeek, autopia, etc. and research. Hint, Klasse All in One is a good start.
 
The Megs products also work well on the headlights, signals and tails to bring them back to new.

The Megs 205 can also be used to polish swirls out of the plastic on the IP.
 
How to remove swirls and scratches from paint

Just thought I would revive this post incase anyone has the same issue. The black paint on my 4runner was so bad I ended up doing hours of research on how to correct the paint myself and saved hundreds of dollars. Check out how brought my black paint back to life for around $100 and a Saturday afternoon.

Paint Correction - Auto Care Craft
 
As everyone said above you need to wash it really good, clay bar, then a good compound. There are many brands you can go with. Meguiars 105/205 is a great well known combo for that. I prefer the Poorboys SSR 2.5 and then the Poorboys SSR 1 then a nice coat of Collinite Wax. I just started using the Meguiars Ultimate Fast Finish and for the price it is a very good. I suggest going to www.autopia.org or www.autogeek.net and you can get LOTS of info on how to's and also very good products. You can buy some things at Wal Mart, Auto Zone, Advance Auto etc..for the retail level products but I would rather spend a little extra money and get good quality professional products. There are lots of brands like Meguiars, Poorboys, Masterson's, Shine Supply, Adam's and Griot's Garage that offer quality products for a good price. Hope this helps you out.
 
Auto Care Craft said:
Just thought I would revive this post incase anyone has the same issue. The black paint on my 4runner was so bad I ended up doing hours of research on how to correct the paint myself and saved hundreds of dollars. Check out how brought my black paint back to life for around $100 and a Saturday afternoon.

Paint Correction - Auto Care Craft
Click to expand...

How do you like the CG Products? Some people love them and others hate them. I had their Honeydew Snow Foam for my foam cannon and it was great but I haven't ever used any of their other products.
 
Its all about the 2 bucket wash, using a clean mitt, microfiber is good and last longer than most others. I really enjoy the large chemical brothers mitt. Also clean micro fiber drying towels. Look up water sheeting before you dry. And a drying agent along with the towels, for instant using a quick detailer along with the towel while you dry to keep things slick. You can try a glaze to make it seem like you dont have swirls. Dont beat yourself up, black cars are hard...
 
call a pro detailer have them do your ride, and teach you a bit. Oh, and stay out of the local car wash, scratch/swirl city. FWIW I'm a pro detailer
 
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