I am disturbed how easily my Red Candy clearcoat gets scratches and swirls
#1
I am disturbed how easily my Red Candy clearcoat gets scratches and swirls
I've done all my car detailing by hand using clean microfiber tower yet I've noticed some light line scratches and odd patterned swirls that are only visible in really bright (usually artificial) light.
I'm ocd and it's driving me nuts. I accidently brushed my jacket against the edge of my door and it left a reaallly tiny line in the clearcoat.
Any recommendations how to take care of this? Or is it to be expected? They're few and far between right now...
I'm ocd and it's driving me nuts. I accidently brushed my jacket against the edge of my door and it left a reaallly tiny line in the clearcoat.
Any recommendations how to take care of this? Or is it to be expected? They're few and far between right now...
Last edited by jokerstars; 2/28/11 at 08:07 AM.
#4
I'm using the Klasse twins then topping that off with Optimum Car Wax and Optimum Instant detailer.
I've clay barred twice over the past 7 months and I'm 90% sure my horrible technique with the clay has resulted in at least some of those scratches and swirls.
Towels are these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EFAOD4
I've clay barred twice over the past 7 months and I'm 90% sure my horrible technique with the clay has resulted in at least some of those scratches and swirls.
Towels are these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EFAOD4
#5
Do you have grit guards in your wash bucket(s)? That alone makes a big difference.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, just hit it with some KAIO or pick up some Meg's M205 and give it a nice polish once a year. You doing it by hand or with a machine?
I wouldn't worry about it too much, just hit it with some KAIO or pick up some Meg's M205 and give it a nice polish once a year. You doing it by hand or with a machine?
#7
Yeah I'm doing it by hand.
I tried to use klasse AIO for some spot polishes but it didn't seem to anything. But these are not deep scratches (can't feel them with your fingers).
I don't like silver/gray, but I understand why people love them....they hide dirt, water spots, and scratches/swirls so much better than my fancy red candy!
I tried to use klasse AIO for some spot polishes but it didn't seem to anything. But these are not deep scratches (can't feel them with your fingers).
I don't like silver/gray, but I understand why people love them....they hide dirt, water spots, and scratches/swirls so much better than my fancy red candy!
#8
Yeah I'm doing it by hand.
I tried to use klasse AIO for some spot polishes but it didn't seem to anything. But these are not deep scratches (can't feel them with your fingers).
I don't like silver/gray, but I understand why people love them....they hide dirt, water spots, and scratches/swirls so much better than my fancy red candy!
I tried to use klasse AIO for some spot polishes but it didn't seem to anything. But these are not deep scratches (can't feel them with your fingers).
I don't like silver/gray, but I understand why people love them....they hide dirt, water spots, and scratches/swirls so much better than my fancy red candy!
#10
After washing Always dry with air (leaf blower etc) to avoid that extra rubbing step.
#11
Klasse AIO will not correct much, if any, scratches/swirling in the paint.
I would suggest picking up a Porter Cable 7424 Optimum kit and using that to correct the paint. If you are OCD as I am about swirls/scratches, then this is well worth the money.
I have owned my car since July and I only wash by hand. I currently see no swirls. I use a lambswool mitt, 5 gallon bucket w/gritt guard, microfiber cloth for cleaning wheels, good high quality microfiber towels/waffle weave towels for drying, Aquawax after every wash, and I only wash my mitts/microfiber together with a little woollite or DP microfiber restoring liquid.
If you only wash by hand, it is something in your wash process that is causing the problem. Could be the drying towels or the wash mitt.
I would suggest picking up a Porter Cable 7424 Optimum kit and using that to correct the paint. If you are OCD as I am about swirls/scratches, then this is well worth the money.
I have owned my car since July and I only wash by hand. I currently see no swirls. I use a lambswool mitt, 5 gallon bucket w/gritt guard, microfiber cloth for cleaning wheels, good high quality microfiber towels/waffle weave towels for drying, Aquawax after every wash, and I only wash my mitts/microfiber together with a little woollite or DP microfiber restoring liquid.
If you only wash by hand, it is something in your wash process that is causing the problem. Could be the drying towels or the wash mitt.
#12
A PC is out of the question due to the fact I am in a crowded underground condo garage.
I do my washes by hand or use a touchless car wash. I confess ONE TIME I did use a car wash with brushes and bristles, but I didn't know it had it. I thought it was touchless but by the time I got into the conveyor belt it was too late.
I bought a scratch remover (I forget the name, will look it up when I get home) at an auto store which I remember getting good reviews. Arghh can't remember.
Before I use my scratch remover (or 3M Finesse-it or whatever), do I need to strip away the wax/sealant or will it do that for me?
I do my washes by hand or use a touchless car wash. I confess ONE TIME I did use a car wash with brushes and bristles, but I didn't know it had it. I thought it was touchless but by the time I got into the conveyor belt it was too late.
I bought a scratch remover (I forget the name, will look it up when I get home) at an auto store which I remember getting good reviews. Arghh can't remember.
Before I use my scratch remover (or 3M Finesse-it or whatever), do I need to strip away the wax/sealant or will it do that for me?
#13
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
Joined: September 16, 2009
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 125
From: Clinton Tennessee
On my Red Candy paint i wash, right to left. I dry, right to left. I put on wax, right to left and remove the wax, right to left. I don't have any swirl marks. I also use a 100% lambswool wash mitt
#15
*I can say this cause I'm part asian.
#16
I'm not sure why I have a 5.0 when I live in the hellish NOVA area. Guess I wanted the bragging rights. But when it's ALWAYS packed with stop lights every 50 feet (not to mention Asian drivers everywhere*)...you don't get to open her up much or get decent fuel econ.
*I can say this cause I'm part asian.
*I can say this cause I'm part asian.
I just wish I could keep her clean. I also live in a condo complex and I don't have a garage. Otherwise, it would be a whole different ballgame.
#17
That's why you have to move out to burbs man. I live 6 miles from DC, makes a bit of a difference. Also, it's bragging rights.
I just wish I could keep her clean. I also live in a condo complex and I don't have a garage. Otherwise, it would be a whole different ballgame.
I just wish I could keep her clean. I also live in a condo complex and I don't have a garage. Otherwise, it would be a whole different ballgame.
The garage is awesome when it snows/rains, but it's dusty. Gotta California duster it every 2 days or so.
Part of the reason I got a Mustang is cause every rich snob (which is most people in nova) drives a BMW/Lexus/Acura. Booooooooring. If I lived in some rural town I'd probably have gotten a fancy import.
Just tryin' to stand out.
#18
Yeah, you should see mine after a new england winter parked outside using brushes to remove the snow . . . it's a crying shame.
(but I still say I'd rather have a stang and drive it through the winter than not have one at all)
I need to do some serious restoration in the spring, whenever that comes . . . right now I still have about 1-1/2 feet of frozen solid snow on the ground . . . and will need to break out all the best stuff when the time comes.
What is a "gritt guard" ? I'm guessing that is a screen that goes in the bottom of the bucket so the grit sinks below and doesn't get recycled into the wash mit? I do use two buckets but don't have a "grit guard", sounds like a good idea.
(but I still say I'd rather have a stang and drive it through the winter than not have one at all)
I need to do some serious restoration in the spring, whenever that comes . . . right now I still have about 1-1/2 feet of frozen solid snow on the ground . . . and will need to break out all the best stuff when the time comes.
What is a "gritt guard" ? I'm guessing that is a screen that goes in the bottom of the bucket so the grit sinks below and doesn't get recycled into the wash mit? I do use two buckets but don't have a "grit guard", sounds like a good idea.
Last edited by Bert; 2/28/11 at 03:35 PM. Reason: typo
#19
#20
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
Joined: September 16, 2009
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 125
From: Clinton Tennessee
I just thought of something (OUCH!!! I'm blonde).......Is by chance your California Car Duster new? I bought a new one a couple months ago. I let it lay on newspaper for several days to remove the 'special paraffin wax'. It still leaves wax streaks everwhere on my Mustang when i use it. Maybe thats what you are seeing?
When warm weather gets here, i'm going to wrap it in newspaper and let it sit in the hot sun for a couple days.
When warm weather gets here, i'm going to wrap it in newspaper and let it sit in the hot sun for a couple days.