Removing swirls & light scratches from black metallic paint

[jsmirand]

Hello,

I have a 2003 C4 Cab finished in Basalt Black Metallic. I am not the original owner, so unsure of prior treatments, but the paint seems to have a certain amount of polish scratches and swirls, along with a couple very minor paint scratches (visible, but feels smooth).

I am looking to remove the swirls and ideally try to bring new life to the paint. It's in good condition, but not great condition, but i am also nervous about applying anything that can adversely affect the finish.

Any recommendations or thoughts on restoring the paint using polish? Does the fact that its a metallic finish have any implications on what i should do or not do to restore the finish? Hand polish vs. using a motorized polisher?

A friend recommended:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/car-polish-...rl-remover.html

but while they seem to have detailed information on their site, there is minimal reference to metallic paint finish.

Advise appreciated. thank you,

John

[KevinMac]

Hello,

I have a 2003 C4 Cab finished in Basalt Black Metallic. I am not the original owner, so unsure of prior treatments, but the paint seems to have a certain amount of polish scratches and swirls, along with a couple very minor paint scratches (visible, but feels smooth).

I am looking to remove the swirls and ideally try to bring new life to the paint. It's in good condition, but not great condition, but i am also nervous about applying anything that can adversely affect the finish.

Any recommendations or thoughts on restoring the paint using polish? Does the fact that its a metallic finish have any implications on what i should do or not do to restore the finish? Hand polish vs. using a motorized polisher?

A friend recommended:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/car-polish-...rl-remover.html

but while they seem to have detailed information on their site, there is minimal reference to metallic paint finish.

Advise appreciated. thank you,

John

You may want to try a claybar kit first then hand wax.

[wross996TT]

Here is what I recommend:

1. Wash car with dish soap (I use dawn)

2. Clay bar with lots of lubricant (soap or QD spray)

3. Poorboys SSR2.5 Poorboys with Porter cable (set speed to 1.5 to spread, then 5.5 to remove swirls...always in an up/down/side-to-side motion)

4. Apply whatever wax/polymer you want....I would stongly recommend Zaino AIO, then Zaino Z-5 Pro....but don't want to get into a detailing argument

Edited January 28, 2008 by wross996TT

[johnj.moran]

Here is what I recommend:

1. Wash car with dish soap (I use dawn)

2. Clay bar with lots of lubricant (soap or QD spray)

3. Poorboys SSR2.5 Poorboys with Porter cable (set speed to 1.5 to spread, then 5.5 to remove swirls...always in an up/down/side-to-side motion)

4. Apply whatever wax/polymer you want....I would stongly recommend Zaino AIO, then Zaino Z-5 Pro....but don't want to get into a detailing argument

I was going to give similar suggestions. I have used Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay kit with the Meguiars Quick Detailer Spray as the lubricant. I also have the Porter Calble 6" Orbital Polisher and have found that with the correct pads, you will not damage your paint (assuming you use light pressure and keep the pad evenly on the surface).

Meguiars.com is a good resource with a knowledge base that gives suggestions for just about any situation.

According to Meguiars reps (you can call them to get personalized suggestions), it is important to use the clay bar with detailer spray/lubricant, then swirl remover, then apply Polish, and finally wax. The Polish supposedly provides important mosturizers/"nutrients" (for lack of a better term), to the paint. The wax then seals and protects against environmental contaminants.

The only question I have is if the dish soap mentioned in Step 1 is used to remove old layers of wax, etc. I would think that after detailing a car with clay bar, polish and wax, you'd want to use a milder car wash soap that is especially designed to not cut the wax off.

As far as the frequency of the clay bar, polish and wax routine goes, you can tell after washing and drying your car if there is a need to re-detail the car by lightly dragging the tips of your fingers across the just cleaned paint surface. If it feels ultra smooth and silky, then no need to re-detail. If it feels a bit rough and/or dry and tacky, then it's time.

[wross996TT]

Yeah, John...the dish soap is to remove old waxes before you clay....for later washing use something like Meguiars Gold...or Zaino Z-7

cheers

[jsmirand]

Thank you for the inputs! Along with your suggestions, I did additional research and wound up using a porter cable with Sonus Polish and am very happy with the results. My 2003 Basalt Black paint, which had swirls and light abrasions from the prior owner, looks brand new!

thank you!

John

[ntrylvl]

The car looks great--thanks for the update.