What is a swirl?....... Besides the most misused word in the car care industry.

When a car comes into my shop one of the first things my clients say is, "How much will it cost to get rid of those nasty swirls?" I know what he means. He means those hairline scratches you can see in an opposing light source. Those hairline scratches are nothing more than a light surface scratch. I have heard those light surface scratches to be called "Spider Webbing" also.

What a swirl is, as defined by professionals in the industry, is buffing marks from a rotary buffer. We all know these as the grossest sins of shoddy detailer work.

They appear more malignant than a tumor. Yet you can't take your eyes off them like the mole on your 2nd grade teachers nose.

They appear to almost be 3D in appearance. They happen from 2 main causes: 1. Not enough product (compound or glaze) on the buffing pad. 2. Improper buffing techniques (most common is too fast).

They are often most aparent AFTER you have paid your detailer! Otherwise you can see them in direct lighting like overhead sunlight or when your headlights shine on another car as it drives through the intersection ahead of you at night.

So the next time you are ready to buy a "Swirl-Remover" think again. What you may be needing is actually a glaze.

why are they more appearent on darker colored cars then lighter? i always see black and dark blue cars with swirls.

Well, look at it this way. The darker the car the more reflective the paint is. Likewise, the easier it is to identify blems because the are retarding the reflectivity.

OK, my SVT is black and I have these "SWIRLS" what is the proper way to remove them and what is the best product that you have used to do this?

Mat

Any advice DetailingDude?

Mat :'!

Oh, dang sorry!

I'll start a new string on that!

So any advice or help on this?

Mat :'!