Does every black car out there have some degree of swirl marks visible in direct sunlight? I just had my car professionally detailed, waxed, buffed, etc. and the swirls are still there.
Also, I made the mistake of letting water dry on the car in the summer sun, and now I have water spots baked into the paint. What's the best way of getting them out. I heard something about vinegar, will that work?

 

First question. Did you notice the swirls before or after washing your car since the time it was detailed? Meaning, did you pick up the car from being detailed, drive it home and go, that looks good. Wash it a few days later and then noticed the swirls.
I only ask because I have seen some companies that do "professional" detailing leave lots of swirl marks in the paint. If you didn't see any when you brought it home I am going to guess that they showed up right after you washed the car.
Black is very hard to maintain and it doesn't take much to ruin a perfect detailing job. It is as simple as a few specks of dust getting caught in the wash mitt and as you wash the car, you make the marks.

On to the water spots. Try using a clay bar. Quite often that removes them. I have even been able to remove them with a detailing spray, but do this only on a cool surface, and in the shade.

 

Claybar the water spots or use softer water to wash it with. I can't touch my car with my own water because of the hard water. I'm thinking of running my out side water throught a filter of some kind.

 

My 2003 Black Explorer has almost no swirls.When I wash,dry,wax or quick detail I use only front to back wipes.Swirls usually come from the Karate Kid movie Wax on Wax off circular movements.The water spots if from rain drying in the sun chances are its from the acid rain drops magnified by the sun like a magnifing glass.Some times they etch the clearcoat.They can be very hard to remove as some of the clear will have to be polished off.I was lucky to be able to cover my car at work every day so I never had that problem.

 

The first time I noticed them was after my idiot dealership ran it through an automatic car wash after a servicing (without my permission). I had it detailed to try and have them removed, but no luck.

 

^"well there's your problem" - I'd make them pay for another pro detail, if you told them not to. scratchx will take the swirls out, but then you have to repolish and wax

 

You are going to have to go back to square one like David said. When I notice scrathes I'll wash, then claybar, then scratchx or equivalent, then polish, then wax, then rewax. You're not going to get swirl marks out until you get down to the clearcoat and put the very mild clearcoat compund that scratchx is to get those swirls out and then build a coat of protection on the car from there.

 

I can't speak to the reputation of the detailer you used, but some "professional" detailers will use products that will fill in the swirls more than remove them. They become visible again soon after the 1st or 2nd wash. They need to be polished out by machine. A fun hobby, if you have the time - pick up a random orbit buffer such as a porter cable and some mild polish and diy. There are several detailing forums to obtain further info.

 

Water Spots are not generally caused by acid rain, not today, not in most parts of the United States. Stubborn water spots almost always come from hard tap or well water that is left on the car and evaporates. Drying after washing every single time is an absolute MUST. Hard water not dried equals almost permanent water spots.

1. Vinegar is acidic (mild), and may take off some minor hard water spots, but not likely.

2. Clay bar does not remove hard water spots. God how I wish clay bar would remove my hard water spots.

3. Scratchx does not remove hard water spots.

The dirty little secret of the car detailing industry that absolutely does remove stubborn hard water spots is a hydrochloric acid solution diluted with water they simply wipe on then immediately wash off, the spots are gone.

I have 5 black vehicles, all but one of them gets rained on regularly and the rain does not cause semi-permanent water spots, leaving my hard tap water on without drying does.

 

Odd considering I have removed many water spots from cars over the years using either claybar or polish. I think it all comes down to the type of water being used and will guess that the water in my area is not as hard as the water in your area.
I have also seen times where it has rained on a hot day, then the sun instantly comes out, drying the water on a car leaving tons of water spots that will not come off with a simple washing of the car.

 

I have said it over and over again 3M Ultrafina 3000 and a foam 3m pad, all swrils and spots are gone, then seal and wax.

TDS

 

Yes, the Ultrafina SE 3000 is an awesome product.