3M Swirl remover and P21s..on Black

[NeVeTaS]

Looks lovely.

I don't have a machine, so mine still has swirl marks. Might try and get hold of a porter cable.

I clay barred mine last week, then used some blackfire products, it came up good, but definatly need to get the machine I think.

Megs NXT also came up nice, but didn't feel as good as the blackfire stuff.

[MEnthusiast]

VERY impressive results!

[cohenfive]

can you get swirl marks out by hand using anything? maybe not as amazing as shown in the pix here, but reasonably well done? i may be buying a used car for my daughter (not m5!!) that has some swirl marks that i'd like to do something with....doesn't have to be perfect and i don't have a buffer except my two arms..

[Realtycar]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

can you get swirl marks out by hand using anything? maybe not as amazing as shown in the pix here, but reasonably well done? i may be buying a used car for my daughter (not m5!!) that has some swirl marks that i'd like to do something with....doesn't have to be perfect and i don't have a buffer except my two arms..

No....not unless you can generate heat and wipe the same spot about 300 times....

If you didn't want to get a 200 dollar package....pay a body shop to buff it for you..or the car dealer should do it for you. No way around it....do it right...once it is done....you will love it. You could get 600-1000 dollars more on trade in if your car is in this condition, so you should buy one before the trade in....it will pay for everything and put money in the bank for gas. Most, "swirl removers" by hand realy fill in the swirls..and hide them...marketing!

[MEnthusiast]

I agree but I would advise you find a place or person with a reputation for doing a good job- my experience is many places and dealers are interested in doing a fast job that looks good now. They will fill in the swirls but that filler will come out over a few weeks and the swirls will reappear.

Btw- Realty Car, did you say you don't use any soap? What's the thinking behind this if correct?

[Realtycar]

Originally Posted by MEnthusiast

Btw- Realty Car, did you say you don't use any soap? What's the thinking behind this if correct?

Did a month long test on my wife's car, imaginary line down the middle from hood to trunk.

Subject: Wax car, same product, same day, same 1 coat.

Every 3 days I washed the car. 1 side Meguiers car soap with low ph...bla..bla..bla....

And 1 side just water.

Results:

Washing is washing...having wax on your car, well, your just washing the dirt, dust off your wax as it is protecting your car. So, the car is clean no matter what you use, only reason you should use any soap is to get a tar spot off the bottom or something. Look is a 10, Feal is a 10

in 15 days or 5 washes, Water side looks like it is just waxed still and pretty smooth but not as smooth as the day of wax.
Look is a 10, Feal is a 8

in 15 days or 5 washes, SOAP side water doesn't be bead up as much and color is not as deep.
Look is a 8, Feal is a 5

.......................

30 days 10 washes, Water side looks good
Look is a 9, Feal is a 7

30 days 10 washes, Soap side showed little protection, paint fealing squeaky, and even go some little swirls on hood here and there.
Look is a 5, Feal is a 3


Bottom line...anything that is strong enough to take off or break down grease or oils, BREAK DOWN YOUR WAX/Protection. I don't care what PH it is....

I use the weight of my wet mit to wash the car, not scrubbing but my had is outside the mitt on the back 1/3 "swinging" the mitt across the hood lightly.

Wax your car, use water only, and try it...you car is clean because your just cleaning your top wax coat...the longer you keep it on there, the easier it is to clean. Wax your car every 30-45 days anyway, don't let crap get past your wax ever and you won't need SWIRL REMOVER EVER!


PS...auto soap was never around until 5 years ago, it's all about making money. Everyone sells, mitts, towels, pre wax coats, wax, microfiber, and so on...when 5 years ago, they just sold wax. I still use old diapers or dedicated 100% cotton towels to take off my wax and don't get swirl marks. I don't use a microfiber towel unless it's for my windows..USE THE "ABSORBER". Microfiber doesn't work 1/2 as well and takes off wax as it is a towel made to "pick up".

PSS....BMW uses Glasurit Paint but does NOT have the same clear coat as the european cars. Due to the EPA crap, we have a "softer" clear coat due to a chemical in Europ's clear coat. So,,,we get more rock chips. IF your car get fixed or repainted,,,it's usualy 3M paint. There are 4 brands that is exactly the same color that body shops can use. They usualy spray test on paper, them match it next to your car.

I should start a site called...bestautocar.com

[gasterus]

Awesome detailing job!!!!!!!! You must be a pro....

[ptruong]

Realtycar:
Since the Zaino wax seems to last longer than P21s, is it a good idea to use the 3M finishing glaze then Zaino wax instead of P21s? Or once you use Zaino, you have to stick with their system?

[MEnthusiast]

I am going to disagree with you on the idea of just using water to wash the car for the washing phase. Soap will chemically bond with dirt, grime and oils and water will not with all of these. Without removing these, just waxing over the surface means you are spreading these contaminants around. I know you are going by what your eyes show, but I would urge anyone reading this to use a car wash formulated soap (not dishwash detergent). I suppose if your routine includes claying the car then maybe that is suitable for removing these contaminants. As I get my M5 very dirty, I find soap is a must. As a matter of fact, I go through about 8 soap towels per wash because the car is so filthy, and thats every 2-3 weeks for a wash and klasse treatment.

[Realtycar]

Originally Posted by MEnthusiast

I am going to disagree with you on the idea of just using water to wash the car for the washing phase. Soap will chemically bond with dirt, grime and oils and water will not with all of these. Without removing these, just waxing over the surface means you are spreading these contaminants around. I know you are going by what your eyes show, but I would urge anyone reading this to use a car wash formulated soap (not dishwash detergent). I suppose if your routine includes claying the car then maybe that is suitable for removing these contaminants. As I get my M5 very dirty, I find soap is a must. As a matter of fact, I go through about 8 soap towels per wash because the car is so filthy, and thats every 2-3 weeks for a wash and klasse treatment.

Don't get me wrong..if my car is highway rained on....where that "road rain" from the trucks/cars spraying turn my car a hint of grey with a film....I willl use Auto soap. But, dusty dirty I use water only.


ptruong

If you have zaino on your car..just put P21s over it...you can't go wrong....Zaino will last longer, but doesn't look as good...I don't mind waxing every 30 days instead of ever 60. As long as my car looks the best it can.........People at light just stare,,,even people on the other side of the road crick their necks....