runflat Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Hi, As the question states, is it worth using paint cleaner such as HD Cleanse or Megs Step 1? I have some fine, cobweb-like swirls on black paint which I intend to get out with Scratch X. So should I use cleaner first? For info- Car has been polished by hand and waxed with NXT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 I have also been told that HD Cleanse will remove light swirls. Anyone used it before and has any comments please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I have also been told that HD Cleanse will remove light swirls. Anyone used it before and has any comments please? [/ QUOTE ] I use it when I want to take a panel back to bare paint before I re-apply some wax. I'd say it's got a very slight 'cut' but not much.I see it as more of a prep for my Zymol Carbon. The paint always feels lovely and smooth after a HD Cleanse. I've managed to keep the car swirl free for 13 months now and TBH if I can do it for a year then I should keep it going for ages!! BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Thanks for that. The only reason I have any swirls is because it came lightly swirled from the dealer. None of it caused by me. That's why I want to get rid so I can keep it looking good from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 If it's the Audi then you will have a tough time removing those swirls, due to the clear coat on the paint. If your after a chemical paint cleaner, I can highly reccomend Klasse All In One. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyspears Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Swissol do three grades of paint cleaner fluid depending how bad your swirls are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_PC Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Most of these hand applied cleaners won't remove swirls - they hide them by either filling and/or cuttign the edges down so light doesn't reflect off them, thus reducing their appearance (hence why I refuse to pay daft money for HD Cleanse etc.) You also need to differntiate between a chemical paint cleaner such as Klasse AIO and a glaze type product (i.e. mild polish) such as HD Cleanse - Klasse uses chemicals to reduce oxidisation & SOME swirling whereas those glaze type products are a mild polish, using small abrasives to achieve a similatr result. There are products which will remove swirls for good but it's really down to how far you want to go. You can usually only get rid of them via machine too. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Thanks guys for all that input. The swirls are not too bad. It is only really noticeable in direct sunlight. Just annoying as it came like this from new and I am sure it is only due to being flat black paint. I have a mate who is going to give me a zymol pack he got with his BMW so I can try all their products. I will do a review on them once I have chance in the next week so you all know what I thought. I reckon I will put up with it for a while, but really tempted to get a PC in the future (Not allowed at the minute LOL) Anyway, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calibos Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Apparently even PC's have a hard job getting swirls out of Hard Audi paint. The guys at autopia reckon one needs a rotary for audi paints and rotarys should only be used by the pro's unlike PC's. As for Megs stage 1 paint Cleaner, it is a chemical cleaner with no abbrassives. ScratchX did nothing for the Swirls on my Brilliant Black '04 A3. I just rely on the stage 2 pure polish (no abrassives either) and the stage 3 carnuba wax to fill most of the swirls and hide them till the next polish and wax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brazo Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Audi clear is very hard. IMO a rotary is a must, I couldn't have done this without a pc, nor am I a pro though. A rotary isn't easy to use and god knows i'm still learning but in the hands of a committed and knowledgable enthusiast they can be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGWT Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Audi clear is very hard. IMO a rotary is a must, I couldn't have done this without a pc, nor am I a pro though. A rotary isn't easy to use and god knows i'm still learning but in the hands of a committed and knowledgable enthusiast they can be safe. [/ QUOTE ] I agree with Brazo, Audi paint is very hard, you could try a PC with a 4-inch cutting pad, but you will obtain the best results with a HS Rotary. As for 'Paint Cleaners' they are just that, they are not formulated (abrasive enough) to remove scratches. My paint cleaning comprises clay and then a paint cleaner followed by a polish to remove scratches JonM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I just rely on the stage 2 pure polish (no abrassives either) [/ QUOTE ] Thanks guys, now I have been using stage 2 with a cheap 3000W orbital thinking it is mildly abrasive. What should I be using? Is SRP abrasive? If not, what would you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_PC Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 I'd agree that Audi clear is hard but I've removed swirls with the PC/purple cutting pad and Menzerna IP/FP - silver 02 A6 Avant (no pics I'm afraid) - was last year and 11 hours of work but was before I had my Makita! runflat - I'd initially suggest you either invest in a PC or perhaps ask a pro to rotary the car to give you a decent base to work on - that said, cheaper rotaries aren't all bad - Brazo has a budget Makita "copy" which IMHO is probably doing it in injustice as from what I've seen and read it's a damned handy little tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Thanks but which polish? Is SRP abrasive or non-abrasive such as Stage 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_PC Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 SRP is more of a cleaner wax TBH - cleans/polishes paint and also seals. Stage 2 from what little I know about it is a pure polish, designed more to add gloss and depth to the paint as opposed to actually remove defects. If you're working by hand, Deep Crystal Stage 1 is more aggresive AFAIK. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 [ QUOTE ] If you're working by hand, Deep Crystal Stage 1 is more aggresive AFAIK. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks Andy, although now I am confused as some people have said that Stage 1 is purely chemical and not abrasive/aggressive. So what Polish would give a mild cutting action? Stage 1? Or is there a better polish out there that I can use with my 3000rpm mains buffer that will give some improvement to very faint cobweb swirls? I don't want to make the paint worse. I was going to use SRP as I thought it had mild abrasives. Now I am really confused. Help please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_PC Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Sorry mate - didn't mean to confuse you! If you're after a mildly abrasive polish, try the Poorboys SSR range. 2.5 is my go-to swirl remover and works equally well via PC or rotary. I'm sure Brazo has a scale of abrasiveness somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 NP, thanks for the advice. I noticed in another thread in this forum you have classified polishes into 3 types. It sounds maybe like I need a glaze, which is very mildly abrasive. Will have to have a think. I may start up a new thread with some pics of the car when I get a chance at the weekend. Thanks again Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGWT Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 I would aggree that a Glaze contains(very slight) abrasives but I would not classify it as a polish- Glaze: Is purely an aesthetic product that provides gloss but very little protection; it's often referred to as Show Glaze because glazes tend to create a "wet-look" (jetting) shine they have come to be used by enthusiasts to maximize shine and gloss on concours show cars, historic and exotic vehicles. They are formulated with micro-fine abrasives (Kaolin clay) that will burnish the paint (but will not remove surface imperfections) it’s comparative abrasion scale (CAS= 1/10) along with an emulsion of polymers and Carnauba wax that `fills in' small paint surface scratches, abrasions and swirl marks, without removing them. There filling abilities usually dissipate in a matter of days before the surface abrasions become visible again, washing the paint film surface will accelerate this process JonM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 OK, thanks Jon. So, still not sure on which polish to go for for a mild cut. How abrasive is Scratch-X? I have used Autoglym Paint Restorer by hand and this leaves hazing which is really hard to get out. Does Scratch X do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnss8 Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Runflat, i've used Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion on mine it's like all Pinnacle products really easy to apply and remove it makes swirls less noticable by softening the edges and it gives a nice shine ready for the wax. The pinnacle signature then goes on a breeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGWT Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 You could try combining paint cleaning with 'slight' surface marring removal ZainoPC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover. Or a mild polish like Menzerna Final Polish II JonM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runflat Posted October 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 Thanks guys, very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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