I have some very fine swirl marks between my windows. Can I treat this area just like the paint on the body? Is it also paint covered with a clear coat? If so I think I will use either #9, #83 or scratch X to get them out. Any other suggestion would be appreciated.

This is the best picture I could get of them

 

Treat it like paint but, don't get too agressive with it.

Personally, I achieved EXCELLENT results with Meguiar's Color-X on that area (that was my test area when I recieved the product to try it out...).

I would not go after it with 83 or SX... #9 would probably be okay.

RP

 

I had success using Meguiar's swirl free polish (#82). Sorry I don't have any before's or afters but the area was a little bit worse than you show in your pictures. You could see the scratches without having to add any extra lighting. After I used the PC and swirl free polish, not a scratch or swirl anywhere to be seen! Just be careful not to get it on your trim.

 

GREAT POINT!!!

The rubber seals around the window there WILL STAIN and thus, it may be a good idea to invest in a roll of painter's masking tape and mask off those seals.

An ounce of prevention....


RP

 

Here is a little education about swirl marks:

Swirl marks are nothing more than micro-marring in the paint surface. Under a microscope they appear to be a scratch; however, you cannot feel the scratch with your fingers or finger nail.

Incorrect use of a buffer or polisher is not the only cause of swirl marks. Every time you wash or wipe down your truck you create micro-marring. The severity of the micro-marring depends on your tools and the contaminants present. Here are the ten most frequent causes of micro-marring (swirl marks):

Polishers/buffers with the incorrect pad or an untrained operator
Harsh polishing compounds and paint cleaners
Towels and applicators containing polyester threads
A dirty chamois or a chamois that has not been properly maintained
Wiping down a dusty or dirty truck with a dry towel
A dirty car duster or a car duster used on a truck with too much dirt on the surface
Not keeping your wash mitt or sponge properly rinsed
Automated car washes with brushes and other wipers
Not rinsing your truck completely before washing, or not washing your truck thoroughly before drying
Using a truck cover when the truck or the cover is not clean
The most noticeable area for swirl marks is the hood. On dark-colored trucks, they might also show up on the doors and fenders. Bright colors do not show swirl marks as well because they reflect more light. That doesn't mean they don't get swirl marks, they just show up more readily on dark colors. Black, of course, is the worst of all colors for displaying swirls and other imperfections.

Swirl marks can be removed by polishing. Polishing out swirl marks without a buffer is a lot of work. I recommend polishing your truck one small section at a time so you can see the progress.

To remove swirl marks, use a good medium cut polish. Many polish manufacturers market a special polish for removing swirls. Swirl remover polish formulas typically contain fillers and oils to help hide swirl marks. Over time, with regular polishing, swirl marks will diminish. It's very difficult to completely remove swirl marks. Even the best towels and wash tools cause some micro-marring.

POLISHING TO REMOVE SWIRLS
If your swirl marks are severe, I recommend using a Fine Cut Rubbing Compound. Follow the application of a fine rubbing compound with a good polish. Use a good foam applicator pad to apply compounds and polishes. Use the rubbing compounds by hand only. Compounding with a machine is not a good idea because it removes paint too quickly to control.

This is some quick education behind swirl marks...As far as product recommendations go, listen to RP he knows his stuff!

Hope this is some help!

 

The trim by the window/s (on the pic) is a little different from the car's body paint, it's thinner, doesn't have much of a clear coat nor does it have the same gloss as the body's paint (doesn't always apply in car Co's make year ba ba ba). when the truck/car was new more in likely the trim had a sealer over it to protect it from scratching, you must of removed the sealer some how? Maybe you polished it using the wrong pad or polish, try using a softer pad or a finer polish. don't use dish soap to wash? I don't know.
If you want the trim to look OEM use a vary soft or med. pad /w fine polish, be careful and not to polish to much you will make "to much" of a mirror image (med. pad might be better?) if going the OEM look, just enough to remove the fine scratches after you have done that it would be vary acceptable to scratching, use a microfiber towel to lightly wipe then apply a pure clear-sealer over it. (one type of a clear-sealer will hide fine scratches) What I mean by clear-sealer is a pure clear polymer sealer.
Sense the painted window's trim is different from the body, you can have it look high mirror gloss, glossy, semi-gloss or no gloss that would be up to you. Looks like you put a higher mirror gloss on then oem? higher mirror gloss on dark paint (clear coated) takes more detailing finesse, make sure you protect it by covering it /w protection like a pure clear polymer sealer w/o it its highly acceptable to micro-scratching by closing the door the first time, you will see it in the sun light. When after that you can apply your reg wax/sealer for even more protection.
To meany variables for me to get it absolutely right, I'm just telling it like I see it. some times I get to much into the details of things, hey because I do detailing for a living people pay me good $$$$$ to do there high end cars and think I'm a god, ok ok I will shut up

 

I thought that was glossy plastic, ie: no paint?,,,,98

 

It's definately painted metal as I lost two of those tiny little plastic tabs that sit at the very top of that piece...

RP

 

Swirl Marks Before


Taped and #9 Applied


An Improvement


Now I need to work on the water spots I get due to the hard water here in Houston! It never ends.....

 

Great job and thanks for posting your results!!

RP

 

Looks 100% better! Congratulations!

 

Thanks, it is getting easier to do this type of stuff after being here and on Meguiaronline.com since I purchased my truck. Great information at both places, right Rockpick.

 

I tend to think so.