2008 Black Turbo Coupe

after my first wash, I saw the infamous swirl marks on the black paint. Since black is so unforgiving, I wanted to know what I can do to minimize or eliminate the unsightly swirl marks? I tried the ICE liquid wax/sealer and still see the marks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Visit the detailing forum and check out the stickied threads. You need to polish the paint and follow is with a wax. The Ice product probably isn't filling in your swirls and is not the tool you want use.

 

As I have posted many times before...black isn't a color...it's a labor of love...

Go to the detailing section - many experts like Moe and Phil can help.

Swirls occur when you do a poor job protecting your car during washing and drying.

Always wash with some thing gentle - microfiber pads, boars hair brush, etc using a grit guard bucket.

I use a leaf blower to dry - don't touch the paint to dry.

Once you get swirls, you're going to need some work to get them out.

Best combo for a black 997, Flex + Menzerna PO85RD + white CCS pad.

 

I've owned lots of black cars/trucks. Currently have a Black sports car & black SUV plus 2 motorcycles w/ black in the paint scheme. If you don't have experience removing swirl marks I'd go to a professional. But afterwards to minimize/stop them from happening maybe the below can help. I'll save you the whole process I use & just list the products. Some of them I purchased for less $ at other sites but will list the items you can always shop for best price.

Hose off w/ : (Never wash your car in the sun or when panels are hot)
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

Before touching anything to your car get suds working on softening the dirt, this works awesome:
http://www.autogeek.net/foam-gun.html

Have to have a bucket w/ a grit guard/or 2 grit guards:
http://www.autogeek.net/car-wash-bucket.html

Stopped using bath/terry towels to wash a long time ago. Terry towels to wash or dry is a big swirl no no
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

IMPORTANT that you only use the above brush on upper panels. For dirtier area/s (lower parts of the car use:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

(little trick)After brushing down w/ lots of suds & then hosing off w/ pressure, remove the hose trigger & let the water from the hose trickle down the car from the top, this eliminates half of the remaining water/ if you car is well waxed the H2O sheets off.

Then I use this combo vacuum/blower to blow off most of the water.
http://www.autogeek.net/walmounvacnb.html

The blower above gets a lot of the water off & gets the water out from around signal lights/body panels/mirrors, etc. that way you don't have water running out of the mirrors onto the door panels & out of the lights etc, after the first drive but after the blower I use:
http://www.properautocare.com/bigliblmidrt.html
&
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rying+towel.do

When washing always wash from top down. Same goes for drying - Important - dry top half of car first w/ one towel (turning frequently) & use a different towel & then dry bottom half of car where most of the dirt was. W/ above, you only need to be very gentle w/ drying, that's where most of the swirl marks come from when people dont use the right towels or dry without properly getting off all the dirt first.

Whole different procedure for wheels.

 

I'm not sure where Claremont California is, but might want to find a good dedicated detailer like Moe (Site Sponsor) from Glistening Perfection. Like bbywu said, it is a labor of love, and needs precious care. I recommend getting set up on a service plan to have you car polished, waxed, and washed regularly.



John

 

either that or get the proper tools and diy.
let us know we are all here to support you

 

+100

Use a foamer.

I prefer using a cam spray foamer...http://www.camspray.com/foamer_attachment-p-216.html

If you have a pressure washer, nothing beats the foaming action of this attachment - uses less soap, water, and time to create a foam coating on your car to dissolve and loosen debris.

 

Really, you can spend $300 in products then spend a whole weekend fixing it.
Some times the best bet is find a good local Pro, have them get it up to speed, then have them show you the best way to care for it.

Having a beautiful black car, it's a TON of work! When I drive her, it's about 6-8hrs of work to get it back to where it was before I drove her. But I do keep her close to Concours clean all the time.

 

I'll vouch for that. Your 993 always looks perfect.


John

 

These are great advices. I can see my neighbor laughing at me now when I bust out with my leaf blower.

 

Awe, thanks John! Yours is never to shabby either!!!!

 

I use this to dry my car...doesn't look as silly, and works pretty efficiently.

http://airwand.com/