Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

T

top_cat78

Active Member
Today was my first time getting down and dirty to do something abt my car. Its also my first time using Meguair's. I must say the wax is superb.... buutttttt, it didnt cover up the spiderwebs!! ok nvm so i thought buffing would do the trick, so i ran down to Giant at 10:30 to grab a b&d waxing/polishing buffer, but the fine lines are still there?
what should i do??
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

hi top_cat78, :)

depending on how fine the swirls are, some waxes do a better job of filling than others. Which Meguire's product did you use?

The B&D buffer is fixed speed orbital buffer. In order to get rid of the fine swirls, you need to use a solution with polishing properties, I think #5 (New car glaze) and #7 (Showroom Glaze) are very mild pre-wax polishes. Move your buffer constantly and work on one small section at a time. To check, use a microfibre cloth, wipe off the polish stains and review the result. If you're not satisfied, you need to polish the same section again.

If u used a wax product with the buffer, then it wouldn't really rid of the fine swirls, it may do a good job of covering up the swirls partially.

Cheers,
Alvin.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

Puny said:
hi top_cat78, :)

depending on how fine the swirls are, some waxes do a better job of filling than others. Which Meguire's product did you use?

The B&D buffer is fixed speed orbital buffer. In order to get rid of the fine swirls, you need to use a solution with polishing properties, I think #5 (New car glaze) and #7 (Showroom Glaze) are very mild pre-wax polishes. Move your buffer constantly and work on one small section at a time. To check, use a microfibre cloth, wipe off the polish stains and review the result. If you're not satisfied, you need to polish the same section again.

If u used a wax product with the buffer, then it wouldn't really rid of the fine swirls, it may do a good job of covering up the swirls partially.

Cheers,
Alvin.
Click to expand...
Hi,
Im used the Gold class car wash shampoo&conditioner follwed by gold class car wax. Are polish products the same as detailer? where can i buy stronger polishing stuff and wat do u reccomend from Meg's to eliminate the swirl marks? my car looks damn glossy now and i cant stand the swirl marks its driving me crazy
abd since i have the wax on now do i have to remove it to polish the car?
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

got try those sealant? meg 30 i think. think it is supposed to smoothen up the surface after waxing.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

top_cat78 said:
Hi,
Im used the Gold class car wash shampoo&conditioner followed by gold class car wax. Are polish products the same as detailer? where can i buy stronger polishing stuff and wat do u reccomend from Meg's to eliminate the swirl marks? my car looks damn glossy now and i cant stand the swirl marks its driving me crazy
abd since i have the wax on now do i have to remove it to polish the car?
Click to expand...

Yup, it's better to strip the wax first before polishing.
But before you go ahead with that, you may wish to consider professional polishing to get rid of the swirls so you have a good base to work the wax on.

If however, you decide to go ahead and DIY, you can strip most of the wax with a diluted concentration of dishwashing liquid and water. The surface should feel squeaky after that.

If I remember correctly, Gold class wax has no polishing properties. You cannot get rid of the swirls this way. keke. I pressume the level of swirls is not deep - i.e. only visible under certain angles and/or under strong lights. Try some of the milder polishes out there. #7 should be quite suitable if you're going the machine route.

Pingman's recommending #20 (Polymer Sealant) if I'm not mistaken. This should come after you finish polishing. :D

Cheers,
Alvin.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

so mayb i could drop by spa for cars to polish for me cos its near my house. approx how much would it cost?
and abt this # thing how do u interpret? from meg webbie i dont see #xx.. where to get the sealant anyway
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

Puny said:
recommending #20 (Polymer Sealant) if I'm not mistaken. This should come after you finish polishing. :D
Click to expand...

yes #20. not bad, try before. but better go to pros to do it...
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

top_cat78 said:
mm so i get them to do both polish and seal then i wax myself?
Click to expand...
Hehe, actually, if you are sending to a grooming shop, let them wax as well - then in future, just DIY..
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

Puny said:
Yup, it's better to strip the wax first before polishing.
But before you go ahead with that, you may wish to consider professional polishing to get rid of the swirls so you have a good base to work the wax on.

If however, you decide to go ahead and DIY, you can strip most of the wax with a diluted concentration of dishwashing liquid and water. The surface should feel squeaky after that.

If I remember correctly, Gold class wax has no polishing properties. You cannot get rid of the swirls this way. keke. I pressume the level of swirls is not deep - i.e. only visible under certain angles and/or under strong lights. Try some of the milder polishes out there. #7 should be quite suitable if you're going the machine route.

Pingman's recommending #20 (Polymer Sealant) if I'm not mistaken. This should come after you finish polishing. :D

Cheers,
Alvin.
Click to expand...
haiz even using a concentrated solution of dishwashing liquid the wax v hard to come off. all thanks to the rain this morning. i was letting the wax cure overnight and then it rained and the white wax became more apparent and difficult to remove
so the steps are polish>seal>wax right?
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

Yup.

Actually, if the car has been washed and clean enough, you can start with the polish. Try it on a small section first, e.g. the boot. Try to get used to the orbital buffer. Apply the polish generously on the pad and/or boot - put the buffer on the surface before switching it on. Otherwise, you'll get polish splattered all over and it'll be hard to remove. Alternatively, get some newspaper and cover your rear windscreen.

I just finished washing, claybar-ing and attempted hand polish today to get rid of very fine swirls. Couldn't last more than 30 mins on the polishing part for the hood. Finished off with wax. If the wax doesn't fill the swirls fine enough, I think I'll need to send it to the groomer or get a dual-action buffer soon.

Good luck in your attempt!

Alvin.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

Puny said:
Yup.

Actually, if the car has been washed and clean enough, you can start with the polish. Try it on a small section first, e.g. the boot. Try to get used to the orbital buffer. Apply the polish generously on the pad and/or boot - put the buffer on the surface before switching it on. Otherwise, you'll get polish splattered all over and it'll be hard to remove. Alternatively, get some newspaper and cover your rear windscreen.

I just finished washing, claybar-ing and attempted hand polish today to get rid of very fine swirls. Couldn't last more than 30 mins on the polishing part for the hood. Finished off with wax. If the wax doesn't fill the swirls fine enough, I think I'll need to send it to the groomer or get a dual-action buffer soon.

Good luck in your attempt!

Alvin.
Click to expand...
got a Meg's #5 in the afternoon. tried it and it seems that i have to sweep multiple times over a section just to reduce the swirls... and i couldnt really eliminate it. i did the whole car once but the swirls were still rather apparent. i couldnt bring myself to go over the car again man, this is totally crazy ultra back-breaking work. i give up liao. tmr gonna make an appt with spc
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

top_cat78 said:
would u reccomend i go to spa for cars or get these ppl to do it http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/exterior-section/5681-return-shine.html?highlight=meguiar ?
Click to expand...
Both are good choices. 1 is a commercial outfit where many members frequent, another is an enthusiast who will start from the base - clay, polish, seal, wax, etc and has managed to produce great results time and time again.

For DIY, If your swirls are a little deeper, you will need a stronger polish in such cases and often a longer duration for polishing.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

lets say if i bought a stronger polisher, would the swirl marks b removed easily in a few movements?
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

The last time I attempted with a medium strength polish, it was to get rid of waterdrop etchings left by my previous car owner. These etchings are way deeper than the typical swirls. They are visible even in very low light and you can definitely feel them with your nails.

Using the stronger product (more abrasive), I had to apply firm pressure going through and fro the same areas to remove a thin layer of the clearcoat. The boot took me around 20 mins. After that, the boot becomes slightly hazy. You WILL need to then switch to a new pad, as well as a milder polish to get the surface shine back (another 10-15 mins) - that's where things like #5/#7 or any other similiar pre-waxing polishes come in. By then, it should be pretty messy. Wash the surface if necessary, then top off with wax.

Note that I had to use firm pressure to produce the heat and friction I needed and for the polish to level the surface. Even then, because the etchings are too deep, I could only get rid of about 80% of them. The remaining became much less visible. Generally, we want to use the least abrasive method so we don't thin out the clearcoat too much.

Secondly, despite it being done by machine, as you're using an orbital buffer which is not as aggressive as a rotary buffer - it takes longer.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

top_cat78 said:
lets say if i bought a stronger polisher, would the swirl marks b removed easily in a few movements?
Click to expand...

To clarify: By saying a stronger polish, I meant a more abrasive paste/liquid product, not a more powerful grinder/buffer machine.
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

right.. thanks for your tips/advice
actually i also meant polish, not polisher. wasent thinking properly becos i was exhausted yesterday night alrdy:)
 
Re: Argh!!! spiderweb scratches

Going by the way we handle our cars in washing (from equipment like sponges, wipes) to our polishing process, there are bound to be swirl marks on our cars.

Unless you can afford the time to re-buff each time with something like Meguire's NXT, assuming you use a new sponge and wipes each time, you will be better off in time management by letting Spa for Cars remove the swirl marks.

More so if your car is dark in colour.
 
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