What are swirl marks and how do I remove them? (con't)

How do I get rid of them?

   First, let's clarify the difference between swirl marks and actual scratches in the finish. If you run your fingertips across the clean finish and can feel the marks you see - your paint is scratched. If this is the case, you may wish to consult a body shop. The abrasive techniques used to remove scratches are best left to professionals.

As mentioned previously, swirl marks are merely light reflecting from the edges of micro-scratches. Simply remove these reflective edges and you'll no longer see swirls (fig. 1). And this needs to be done without damaging the paint surface. A random-orbit polishing machine and our AutoSport Orbital Pre-Wax Cleaner is the safest way to accomplish this. Start by thoroughly washing the vehicle, making sure that it's free of dirt, bugs, tar, grease and the like.

Using a random-orbit polishing machine:

   If your random-orbit polisher uses a 6-inch pad, apply 4 or 5, quarter-sized drops of AutoSport Orbital Pre-Wax Cleaner evenly around the pad - for a 12-inch pad, add two more drops the same size. Spread the cleaner evenly over the pad before turning on the machine. Working in a 2' x 2' area, apply light pressure until the cleaner starts to separate - you'll see shiny spots through the haze. Turn off the machine, leaving the pad on the finish until it stops turning (to prevent spattering), and buff the completed area with a diaper-soft cloth or micro-fiber towel. Remember, use back-and-forth motion. Now move on to the next section and repeat these steps until the entire vehicle is cleaned. Finish by re-buffing the entire vehicle to ensure that the residue from the cleaner is removed. Look across the finish - the swirl marks should be gone and you're now ready for a protective coat of AutoSport Carnauba Wax. And you can apply that using your random-orbit polishing machine and AutoSport Liquid Carnauba Wax.