Swirl mark on my black CR-V

[paktree]

I owned the CR-V for 4 weeks and took it to a hand car wash :( And after that, I saw swirl mark everywhere on the body. Is the clearcoat gone? and is there any way to remove those swirl mark. And I will start doing my hand car wash on my own. Sigh

[Frank B]

I owned the CR-V for 4 weeks and took it to a hand car wash :( And after that, I saw swirl mark everywhere on the body. Is the clearcoat gone? and is there any way to remove those swirl mark. And I will start doing my hand car wash on my own. Sigh

I wouldn't panic...Clearcoat is most probably OK...Someone more knowledgeable than I will respond with some options for removing the marks. It could be as simple as some "polish" then wax protector...I'm a fan of Nufinish"scratch doctor" but your problem may not require this somewhat aggressive product.... Start with the least "agressive/abrasive product; test on an out-of-the-way spot...If you don't get any response from the "pro's" go to your local "body/paint repair" establishment and show them your V's finish.They may offer some DIY fixes...

[Badgerland]

I agree that you should not worry too much. Most of what you have explained can readily be removed with some of the better products out there. I have been a fan of the Meguiar's Deep Crystal System - available at Pep-boys or Autozone et al. You start with step 1 which is a paint cleaner to help remove these swirls and remove blemishes. If bad, move to step 2 (I skip on my CRV since newer) then to Step 3 a carnuba wax for a deep shine.

I have used these products on my 9 year old work truck and the paint still shines great after all these years.

Take your time with the right products (and clean cloths) and your baby will shine like new again.

[Edd]

Ditto. I'd also suggest using 100% cotton cloths. A lot of the car wash places use a cotton/synthetic fiber blend cloth for durability, but synthetic fibers can be pretty abrasive--especially when there's some dirt on the cloth.

Old, laundered cotton t-shirts work great for me.

[CK_08_CRV]

Paktree,

I have the same problem as you. I've taken my car to a soft cloth car wash this past winter. After reading in the posts, I guess that was a bad mistake. I have swirls all over my car too. It looks to be getting warmer now, so I wanted to try to get these swirls off. What have you tried and did you get some good results. Thanks.

[Zig]

Zaino

Z-5 to fit your current situation.

Zaino Store (http://www.zainostore.com/)

[Zig]

I'd also suggest using 100% cotton cloths

I will even go so far as to remove the stitching from both ends of a towel.

Micro fiber is another good product for drying purposes.

[Zig]

paktree - these are sample pictures of what Zaino can do to a factory paint job.
These are reflection pics of a 2002 black Dodge (known for horrific factory paint). We just purchased an '08 pearl blue CR-V, and I can't wait to detail this paint, as it's many, many levels higher in quality then what I had to work with on the Dodge.

All reflection:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/TCnimrod/Zigs%20Jigs/Dsc00639.jpg

Backed away shot of the first: (if you look real close - lower/center are "5 mile" clouds)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/TCnimrod/Zigs%20Jigs/Dsc00640.jpg

[jdfj316]

This is the web site for all the products I use, my last 4 cars have been black and no swirl marks.

Classic Motoring Accessories - Car Buffers, Car Waxes, Car Polishes, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Covers, Car Accessories (http://www.properautocare.com)

[PINODY]

Zaino ...



Zaino Store (http://www.zainostore.com/)Excellant recomendation! :cool: ... Hey Zig, where in PA are you? ... What Z products do you plan to use on your V?

[CK_08_CRV]

Thanks for your replies & links. Your dodge looks great!

[LIBERATOR]

I :D microfiber. awesome polisher & drier

[Zig]

Hey Zig, where in PA are you? ... What Z products do you plan to use on your V?

Just across the river from you.
I've been following Sal's direction for just over 12 years now. First vehicle I ever did was a '96 Accord V6 dressed in factory Sherwood Green. (That was an awesome color to work with as it shade shifted depending on light angles)
Standard starting treatment goes like this:
1) Dawn wash
2) Clay
3) Zaino wash
4) Pre-lock (I still have the original conditioner which I believe has been changed to Z-AIO now)
From here on out it will depend on what I have to work with. Worst case situation, I will start with a few coats of Fusion to elimate any deep set surface scratches. After that I will:
5) Z5
6) Z6
7)Z5 (if necessary to elimate any spider web scrathes)
8)Z6
9)Z2 and Z6 until I get the desired depth of reflection I want

From here on out it's pretty much a Zaino wash each week followed by a Z6 wipedown. As needed, I'll detail once a month with a single coat of Z2/Z6 above and beyond the weekly wash.
The interior gets the Z9-Z10 treatment as well, but usually only 2-3x's per year, as the interior rarely gets a chance to get dusty/dirty.
I sounds like much more work then it really is. The virgin treatment will normally take me a weekend, and that could be as many as 12 coats of Z5/Z2. The weekly wash is no more time consuming then a regular wash/dry session.

The pictures of the Durango are from 2005, which totalled 35 coats since 2002. I believe it's up to a total of 78 coats this year, which includes two complete ground-up detailings. I use Zaino on my boat, scooter, and even my son's Pinewood Derby car got a few coats last year (pay attention to the reflections of the engine and front wheels on the top of the car):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/TCnimrod/Zigs%20Jigs/PWDcomplete015.jpg

Yeah, I know.............................it's a sickness. :rolleyes:

[PINODY]

I'm good to go, I just placed my '08 "Z" order with Carl ... Carl Voellm's Home Page (http://hcvind.com/)

[CRookinV]

I owned the CR-V for 4 weeks and took it to a hand car wash :( And after that, I saw swirl mark everywhere on the body. Is the clearcoat gone? and is there any way to remove those swirl mark. And I will start doing my hand car wash on my own. Sigh

Sorry to hear, most of the reply's are great. I never go to a hand wash car since my previous Audi was scratched to death. Hand car wash workers never changed the mitt and the vehicle before mine was full of winter road grime (sand). My car looked liked it was washed with steel wool, to boot the car wash denied it.

[TX444]

Swirls are very fine scratches in the paint, most waxs will work on these situations. But when the swirls get too bad, buffing is in store for you. Who ever does it needs to be a pro when it comes to dark colored vehicles. The product being used matters as well because some generic companies use "fillers" in their products. That basically means that after a carwash, the swirls will show it's ugly head. Not trying to scare you, just keeping a fellow V owner informed.:D