What to do? [heavy swirls on midnight blue]

[wireless]

This is terrible!!!!! Several weeks ago, I took my RL Sky to local dealer to have a few things checked and fixed. Stupid jerks washed the car with dirty water and power hosed after soap dried. *#&^$&# The car finish has very noticable swirls. They agreed to have detailed. Picked the car up a week later and now its obvious the detailer used a power buffer and applied lots of pressure. Looks like moon beams in the sun now. (*(*%&%(*^)&)((*%^$##. Called the dealer and they want to paint the thing.

Anyone have this happen to them? And what'd you get done about it?

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by wireless

This is terrible!!!!! Several weeks ago, I took my RL Sky to local dealer to have a few things checked and fixed. Stupid jerks washed the car with dirty water and power hosed after soap dried. *#&^$&# The car finish has very noticable swirls. They agreed to have detailed. Picked the car up a week later and now its obvious the detailer used a power buffer and applied lots of pressure. Looks like moon beams in the sun now. (*(*%&%(*^)&)((*%^$##. Called the dealer and they want to paint the thing.

Anyone have this happen to them? And what'd you get done about it?

NO & IF they ruined the paint job I would of gone BALLISTIC!! Very possible that perhaps another "professional" detailer might be able to buff the paint. BUT, if the previous idiot really ruined the paint & damaged it, then I suggest you get the car painted, however, that really sucks.

You have just proven and shown us a very valuable lesson for the rest of us, DON'T LET THE DEALER WASH YOUR CAR!!!!!! Or anybody else for that matter!! Except maybe our buddy in Chicago, BUT he's to dam far away for 99 percent of us--

[JohnD]

Send a PM to Cerberus (had something similar happen) and Turbomangt (offers products and services to fix this sort of thing.)

[cerberus]

We can take the details in PM. Can't elaborate on the whole story now, but GO SLOW here. I stumbled from problem to problem until I wound up with the most amazing swirl job on my Midnight Blue. You'll have to look closely to see what's left as I went for increasing levels of intensity and didn't quite go far enough, but can (and will) always do so later.

Couple of points, and have to run for now.

1) I tell the dealer to NOT wash my car when I bring it in. As I discovered chasing down "detailers" the best and most consistent answer I got was "Do not let anyone touch your car".

2) My biggest mistakes were from going too fast. Slow down and measure twice here.

3) I'd take the least severe approach step by step, so hell no I wouldn't let them repaint. Maybe later if needed, but I doubt it'll come to that. Somehow things will just manage to get worse.

Just my 4 cents here.
I got mauled and on close inspection (and not so close) you could see where some fool just leaned in on the edge of a rotory in several spots.


We can get some input from turbomangt on which pads and in what order are appropriate, but it's probably time to invest in a DAPC 7424.


John - How would you characterize the level of modern art (swirls) on my car?


btw - I'm going to move this over to the detailing section so Gary will see it and weigh in.


edit: Just to make clear, my swirls had nothing to do with my dealer. Doesn't mean they get to wash my car though. : )

[MidniteBlues]

Well, at least I DID state a "professional" detailer might be able to restore the paint--Thats what I would try first-Or even try it myself--I already have a porter cable 7424 dual variable speed polisher. Perhaps buy some Gary's stuff, or comparable swirl remover polish and have at it--Some amazing results and repairs CAN be had-Thats what I would do first before considering a new paint job-Good luck!!

[Asucar]

Check out a detailing forum called autopia.org. After reading any number of posts there and checking out some of the pics associated with cars that were in really bad shape, I think you'll find that finding a professional detailer like Gary (he's a member of that forum, also) to work on your car will hopefully be all that's needed, rather than a paint job! There's a part of the forum for finding local pro detailers and a ton of info about doing it yourself. But watch out, the forum is as addictive (well, almost) as skyroadster.com.....good luck and keep us posted on how you proceed.

[JohnD]

Originally Posted by cerberus

John - How would you characterize the level of modern art (swirls) on my car?

On this scale:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
7.

I would rate you a good, solid -and-a-half.

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by JohnD

I would rate you a good, solid -and-a-half.

Not ME, lol, the car!!! The trunk had areas which were probably a 6 out of 7, but ok, I'll go for your rating overall. As I mentioned, most of it came out, but I wasn't thrilled with the pads I had. Gary probably has some good insight and info to share here, so wireless, I'd suggest we all wait and see what he has to say here.

[RedRav4]

Finally made an account cause I have to ask the question:

What is a paint swirl? What exactly does it look like? Are they very noticeable, or is it just in certain lights?

My dealership is going to detail my car before they give it to me (arrives in about a week) and when I take it from them I want to know what a swirl is so I can look for it and see if they screwed up the paint.

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by RedRav4

Finally made an account cause I have to ask the question:

What is a paint swirl? What exactly does it look like? Are they very noticeable, or is it just in certain lights?

My dealership is going to detail my car before they give it to me (arrives in about a week) and when I take it from them I want to know what a swirl is so I can look for it and see if they screwed up the paint.

Welcome to the forum!!! The "swirls" we're talking about are circular or arced fine scratches. You'll see them on a lot of cars, especially dark colors, often from folks washing and/or drying their cars with the wrong materials and working in circular patterns. These light swirls you'll usually have to catch in bright sunlight at just the right angle to see. The full and complete "swirl-jobs" we're talking about here come from "detailers" using oribital buffers, usually incorrectly, which make so many deep circular scratches that it doesn't take a lot of special light or angles to notice. They just jump right out at you as if someone waxed your car with steel wool in circular patterns, which isn't far off from what's happening. Gary just posted a thread about being careful about cheap "detailers" describing something very similar.

So, now that we got ya off the fence and signed up, hope you keep us posted on your car adventures.

[RedRav4]

Well now that I know what you guys are talking about my rav4 is absolutely covered in them. Snarl. Just noticed them after the dealership washed it after the last oil change though. Definitely something I will watch for once my car comes in.

Thanks tons,

And, of course I'll post pictures as soon as she comes in.

[lbsky]

Originally Posted by wireless

This is terrible!!!!! Several weeks ago, I took my RL Sky to local dealer to have a few things checked and fixed. Stupid jerks washed the car with dirty water and power hosed after soap dried. *#&^$&# The car finish has very noticable swirls. They agreed to have detailed. Picked the car up a week later and now its obvious the detailer used a power buffer and applied lots of pressure. Looks like moon beams in the sun now. (*(*%&%(*^)&)((*%^$##. Called the dealer and they want to paint the thing.

Anyone have this happen to them? And what'd you get done about it?

coming from another midnight blue owner who had the same thing, buffer marks from prep. Get Meguiars ScratchX, a random orbital buffer, meaning it does not just spin in a circle, and 2 or so terry pads to put on the buffer. Go over the car and really work this stuff in. If it is really bad then do it twice, then wax it. Now, it will look much better and will get rid of the swirls. Got my buffer from Walmart, along with the rest of the stuff. I would also suggest micro fiber towles for wiping off wax etc. It is impossible to keep swirls off of a dark car, but you can keep them in check.

[SKYMRK]

Should-a-got a Bluestone...............

[lbsky]

Originally Posted by SKYMRK

Should-a-got a Bluestone...............

I like blue stone, but it will get them too. Just easier to see on darker cars. Besides that, every one knows midnight blue is faster!!

[wireless]

Thought I would include some pics taken as the sun reflected off the hood. They are really noticible in the sun.

Don't let dealer wash or detail your Sky.

[328ride]

Don't worry about it. It can be polished back to it original condition.
Don't paint the car unless you have no other options.
You can cut the marks with a fine cut compound and finish it with a glaze and then wax. I use 3M perfect-it II kit with 3 different foam buffing pads (3m and Meguire). One Medium-cutting and fine-cutting pads for the compound and the other extra fine for the glaze. One important thing to remember: make sure the pads and water are free of any dirt.
It can be a messy job so you must cover all plastic and rubber trims (and soft top of course).
good luck

[RedRav4]

Oh wow,

If they do that to my midnight blue I will get them to pay to have it shipped to Gary to get the paint fixed...

I feel so bad for you

[cerberus]

Sorry to see that. Yeah, get-it got-it. I think 328ride lays it out well. It can be hard to tell from pics, and I don't want to take anything away here, but I think I got nailed worse if not about the same. From the pics, that looks recoverable. A well thought out plan of action and a good prep will go a long way here. You're gonna hate looking at your car for a little bit, but ease into this and you'll get past it. Pics from last weekend. I put the top down for more support of the trunk to reduce flexing. Painters tape on rubber, grills, etc, to manage product slop. Covered the topless cabin with a sheet for obvious reasons.

[BlueSkyRL]

I had several areas where the dealer buffed through the clear coat and had to have 2/3 of the car repainted. Yours does not look that bad and I agree those swirls should come right out with a little work

[turbomangt]

Hi Gang, I hate to say it but I LOVE to get cars in my shop that look like that, because when I tranform them the owners are dazzled. If you buy a dark color, (as you already know) its much harder to keep the finish smooth and swirl free ( Thus is why I bought a Sly) here is some advise both on how to prevent and how to correct.
Prevent; as it was said, never left the dealer wash the car, AMEM TO THAT.
try to hand wash as much as possible or go to a touch less. here is how swirls happen, you wash your car, but the finish still has micro dirt particles on it, so when you go to dry, guess whats happening? you are rubbing all those particles INTO the finish causing swirls and halograms, that is why I promote drying with an electric leaf blower, nothing touches the car, once you have 80% of the water removed, follow up with a waffle weave for finesse drying. this is another reason claying is important, it removes these micro particles. Using the correct wash mitts is also important, chenilli/micro fiber are good stay away from sponges and rags to wash. use only car wash soap, make sure before you dry you get all contanimants from car.

To correct swirl damage:
After your car is clean and dry, I would use a Dewalt Dual action buffer (I like the DW443) and use a yellow pad (cutting action) The porter cable is too weak for this type of work. I would start with my paint cleaner because its mild, and see who that does, chances are it will remove them fine, it they are deep, then I would go to a stronger product. going over the car with this buffer/pad and product combination you will even the finish out fine, follow up with my sealant, (if you buy my dvd you can witness first hand seeing me do this on your TV.) if you have other questions or comments, let me know, gary