How to: buffing out swirl marks with a Porter Cable Buffer *UPDATED*

[str8ridin]

Ok, I have the the PC 7336sp, Meguires DACP and clay. I am going to: 1. Wash with Dawn 2. Clay the car 3. Use DACP I want to seal and wax my car after the above steps. Since the DACP is a polish, do I need to wash it after the DACP application? Do I need to apply another regular non abrasive polish on top of the DACP? What proffesional line Meguires product can I use to seal and wax afterwards?

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[chairman]

There are two products that I have seen actually remove swirls (I know there are others but I have experience with these two) 3M Swirl Mark Remover (they have one for dark cars) followed with 3M Finesse It II, and the Menzerna "twins". The best way to remove these imperfections is not to take an agressive approach (yellow pad with Menzerna IP or 3M SMR) unless the surface is really bad. Try to go with the least agressive approach (Menzerna FP with a white pad) and if that does not work go to the more aggressive approach. I am assuming the use of a PC 7424 buffer. Some swirl mark products (3M IHG) are full of fillers and only hide the swirls and do not remove them.

There is an excellent "how to" article at properautocare.com (the article is under the buffer products section). There is also an excellent write up on the roadfly.org detailing site.

Keep in mind that the surface should have been washed with Dawn and clayed first (Mothers; Clay Magic or Zaino).

If you get a haze try a quick detailer with a microfiber towel (here again, some people use a 50/50 mix of water and alcohol in a spray bottle).

Some people use P21S GEPC after the swirl remover step to enhance the shine. If you do this be sure to wash the car and remove the oils before waxing the car. The wax step protects your finish (and hard work). Consider several layers of wax close together. Carnuba wax does not have the durability of Zaino Z2 followed by Z6 or Klasse. All of these products should be applied multiple times once you have a good base coat.

In short (?) the surface prep is the most critical step. The use of various products is by trial and error or personal preference or both. Unfortunately there are few shortcuts to a truly beautiful finish that you can be proud of.

Sorry about the long post I hope this helps.

[r3v1ls]

I'm just about to get into this whole polishing business on my black c230 . Gonna purchase the zaino starter kit and maybe later on a orbital buffer. Gonna try it out by hand first. I'm just wondering what parts i should avoid, would u use the polish on the front bumper / rear / side skirts? Sorry mite seem like a dumb question but i just wanna be safe abuot it. thx

[chairman]

but are flat black treat them as trim pieces. Do not use polish or wax on them. If they have become discolored Mothers makes a product called "back to black" or something like that. It will refresh the look of those trim pieces.

Good luck and lets see some pics.

[hinhin7]

Hi fellas,

I have been reading the posts and I am still confused with the steps that I have to do. I recently just purchased the Porter Cable (PC) 7336SP and I also have a 2-3 year old Zaino products (clay bar, Z2, ZFX, Z5, etc) that I haven't used.

My understanding is that I always have to
wash - clay - clean - polish - and wax

So, please let me know if my step by step is correct.

1. Wash car with Meguiars Gold Class and dry it
2. Clay bar the car.
3. Use Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish (DACP) with the buffer
4. Re wash the car with Dawn Dish soap
5. Use Zaino Polish
6. Wax the car.

Some of my questions are:
1. What kind of pads I should use for applying the DACP and preferably let me
know where I can get them?
2. If I want to apply Zaino Polish a couple of times, do I have to rewash it
with Dawn prior to that?
3. I have been using Meguiars Gold Class wax and I was wondering if there
is a better product that any of you would recommend to me.

Please let me know if there is something wrong with my sequence or understanding. Thanks in advance.

[chairman]

But if you are using Zanio products do not use the Meguiars Gold Class wax. Zanio is a complete system, and used correctly, will provide durability and a shine that will be amazing.

When you wash your car start with Dawn. If you do not rinse the car you can use the layer of soap as a lube to clay the car. Then rinse the car completely.

Do not use the Meguires DACP with any Zanio products.

As far as the pads for your PC check Car Care Specialties and Autopia and read this article from Roadfly detailing guide these sites and others just as good will give you the information that you need. Good luck and lest see the pics when you are done.

[hinhin7]

Chairman,

Thanks for the reply. So, what I need to start with is:
1. Wash the car with Dawn
2. Clay the car
3. Cleaner - what kind of cleaner works best with Zaino?
4. Zaino polish (and wax)?

and if I want to apply another coat of Zaino, should I wash it again with dawn? Is dawn going to take off my Zaino coat?

Thanks,

Solihin

[MBE55AMG]

Originally Posted by hinhin7

and if I want to apply another coat of Zaino, should I wash it again with dawn? Is dawn going to take off my Zaino coat?

Dawn will strip anything, including Zaino. If you want to reapply Zaino then simply layer on top of existing coating. You only have to wash with Dawn to prepare you for the Zaino job.

[vraa]

I can't remember what cleaner to use with Zaino, but if you want to apply another coat of Zaino, do not use Dawn again, there should be some Zaino shampoo.

[chairman]

Unless you plan to strip off the wax. Use Zaino Z7. Look over this product page. Any further questions you can call Zaino directly or their web site has detailed directions on the use of all of their products.

Let us know how it comes out. Good Luck.

[M.J]

guys i dunno but what i see is as follows now i have a new car coming in the way which is black i would do the following to take care of first buy a maguires car shampoo or saop ( whatever ) after cleaning the car dry it up ofcourse for cleaning i will use microfibers and for drying also ( i will have more thatgn 2 for cleaning and drying ) eventually use maguires gold wax first grade i dunno what the name but it sound like this and that it no need for zaino or any other products !!!! any comment .!

[M.J]

how can i clean the car after using the wax ??? do i have to remove the wax and do it a gain in the next wash ? how can i remove the wax safley ???

[chairman]

That coat will benefit from several layers applied to the car regularly (weekly if possible). That will increase the durability since typical carnuba wax may last for about 3 or 4 weeks without additional coats. There are many good waxes available I have used Meguires, P21S, and Blitz wax all with good results.

As far as regular washing, there is no need to use Dawn to strip the wax each time you wash the car. Simply use a good car soap Meguiars Gold or Zaino Z7 for example and if time permits add a coat of your favorite wax.

Since wax is the final step in protecting your finish, the preparation is the most important step (wash, clay, removal of swirl marks, polish, etc, etc). Because a good wax allows the finish to "pop" when you are finished so preparation is the key.

One last note, whether or not you use a synthetic (Zaino) or a carnuba do not combine them. One coat of carnuba and one coat of a synthetic, the finish will most likely look yellow and will not be clearly visable thru the wax.

[M.J]

thanks but since my car is brand new i don't need anything else except teh wax . today i went and bought maguires NXT and prece. i forgot the name i tried the second one i use micro bluster to clean up the car since that i didn't ind any microfibrics stuff hope that it good . do i need to do all of the steps for a new car !!!!
i only used the wax and how about the micrbluster thing do u advice me to use it or switch to leather or synthitic chromis ???? no micofibers over here

[M.J]

to prevent swire i will clean up my car use special saop ( maguire ) to clean up and then wax it once a week with synthitic wax . so what do you think is that enoughf ???
and what is the next best thing after micro fibers to be used if nothing good i have to order online then .

[Edison_Chen]

I haven't bought a PC just yet.. maybe in a few weeks..
But I'm doin some research and hw. Do we start with the least abrasive polish first and then work up? Or the other way around?

What process would you recommend if I decided to use Poor Boy's Polishes (SSR1, SSR2, SSR2.5)?

What kind of advice would you recommend PCin around the rear badges?

[midget fidger]

This is a newb question...so does this process cut down some of the clear coat? Meaning you can only do it so many times before your entire clear coat is gone?

[chairman]

I purchased mine from Coastal Tool

Their prices are good and the product arrived on time.

I would recommend Classic Motoring for a complete look at polishes and waxes. There are other excellent resources including the sponsor of this forum.

I would recommend using a lighter abrasive and pad (Menzerna FP and a white pad, for example) first, then if you do not get the results you want switch to a more agressive pad, if the results are still not what you are looking for switch to a more agressive material (Menzerna IP for example) and give it a try. Do small sections at a time (2 by 2 feet) and work out from there.

Most of all be patient. If the swirl marks or scratches are deep enough for you to catch your finger nail in then the best you can do is make it less noticible. A body shop is needed to completely remove the spot.

Good luck