Xciton

I can see thousands of little swirl marks. I've tried a small test section on my Santorin last night. I used 3M SMR, IHG and blitz.

If I use the body of the car as a mirror and look at the sun, I can still still some swirl marks. I'd say the SMR/IHG removed/covered about 80-90% of the original swirls. Is this what I can expect? Should I be able to acheive 100%? Should I bother?

Thanks

Singletrack

small scratches will show up. When I do my scratch-x, #7 glaze, Medallion wax routine, it is at 90-100%, but some scratches will become visible again over time.

-st

Style12v

Are you using a 100% cotton wash mit? Pull out a few strands and burn them, if they burn clean its 100% cotton, if they leave a residue and burn with black smoke it has polyester in it.

technokid

What about sheep skin? The ones at costco....

Singletrack

The dirt will leave microscopic scratches - they aren't really visible accept under intense light.

I use the synthetic wash mit Meguiar's recommends.

-st

Singletrack

<center><img src="http://store5.yimg.com/I/detailguru_1683_1887643"></center><p>

Singletrack

<ul><li><a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/og_wash_mit_10291.html">Car care online.</a></li></ul>

Stoney

I use two microfiber mitts, and keep them rinsed clean before putting back in the bucket. I get far fewer fine scratches with these than with wool style mitts. Those wool (even synthetic) fibers are orders of magnitude larger and stiffer, with correspondingly fewer actually touching the car and doing the cleaning.

They can be bought at properautocare.com (also called <A HREF="http://www.properautocare.com/index.html">Classic Motoring Accessories Superstore</A>)
<A HREF="http://store.yahoo.com/classic-motoring/micwasmit.html">Microfiber Wash Mitts, 2 for $28</A>
code: Micro-2WM

As for removing swirl marks (the milky ones that have a 3-D illusion), I've never suffered from this so I can't say first hand. But, I've had some fine scratches (of the spiderweb variety) on my dark car, even though I've been careful from the start. I think the coarse mitts were a major source, so I switched to microfiber.

Fine scratches should first be prevented first and formost. Only occasionally will I polish to remove them (done it only once so far, and that was to remove stubborn water spots/etching). A glaze can be used to hide scratches, but this is temporary and must be repeated often.

I've got a dark car, but people still comment on how new it looks after 14 months and 20,000 hard miles. Click my sig for pictures.

I've posted some messages, and collected other links to various messages from Audiworld, into a "FAQ" of sorts. Perhaps some of the messages there, about prevention, washing, and removing swirl marks will help?<ul><li><a href="http://www.netwiz.net/~jds/files/a6_links.html#care">http://www.netwiz.net/~jds/files/a6_links.html#care</a</li></ul>

Singletrack

That's a nice product, I might try that in the future - thanks!