I have always tried to keep my truck looking good, washing it regularly, doing a more intensive cleaning ever so often, and yet I still end up with scratches, scrapes, and swirl marks. At this point, I'm under the impression that if I look at my paint wrong it will scratch. My biggest issue right now are swirl marks/light scratches on my tailgate from accidentally backing up into a bush one night. They aren't that deep (Can't feel them with my nail), so I'm wondering if hand applying Swirl-X or Scrach-X and then applying some wax will do the trick? Or am I Screwed? Every time I look at my truck I want to get a new paint job!

 

I would get a clay kit and do that, then get a swirl remover, polish, and a good wax. Should remove a lot of the imperfections.

 

Can't really offer suggestion on the product to use without seeing the scratches that you mention.

SwirlX is much less aggressive then Scratch X 2.0. Scratch X 2.0 is pretty forgiving.

You mention not knowing how scratches to your truck happen but then mention backing up into a bush.

Read this post (links) for good information on how to wash you truck and not cause swirl marks.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ca...ng-sticky.html

 

Thanks for the link. It's not that I don't know how they happen, I'm talking about the swirl marks that seem to be all over the paint. I know its probably just from regular washing/wear and tear, I'd just like to get my paint looking a bit better.

 

tcope gave you some pretty good advice.

Swirls have become the number one complaint since the factory has started putting clear coat on new vehicles.

As was stated most swirls are created from improperly washing and or drying of your vehicle. Using contaminated media to wash or wipe down your vehicle is normally the culprit. It may also help to use a QD when you are drying the vehicle.

Using a dedicated car wash soap such as Meguiars Gold Class or ONR (Optimum No Rinse), this will help to reduce the chances of swirls. They use a solution which has a high lubricity to drastically reduce scratching/marring.

As far as getting rid of them, Meguiars has a very nice trio (Swirlx, ScratchX 2.0, Ultimate Compound) are all clear coat friendly consumer products designed for just that. I have listed them least aggressive to most aggressive. Just be sure to always use the the LEAST aggressive product to get the job done and use a small working area (2' by 2' max) at a time, for best results. Even so, deep swirls or scratches may need to be applied by using a DA polisher to effectively remove them.

 

It sounds as if your washing technique needs to be improved. As stated above, most swirls are induced during washing and drying of the vehicle. So start there. I don't know your technique so I'll just tell you mine. I start off with two buckets. Each with a grit guard in the bottom to help seperate the dirt from the mitt and keep it out. One bucket is your soap bucket. Properly mix your soap per the dilution ratio on the bottle or as close as possible. The second bucket is for rinsing the mitt off in. I also put just a touch of soap in the rinse bucket as well because I figure it can't hurt. Rinse off your entire vehicle well to knock off any dirt you can. Let your mitt soak in the soap bucket for a little bit while you do this. Now, doing a panel or so at a time, use the mitt from the soap bucket and go over the panel. Put the mitt in the rinse bucket and rinse off your panel with a hose. Now use the grit guard in the rinse bucket to remove as much dirt/contaminents as possible from the mitt and return it to the soap bucket for more wash solution. Repeat until the vehicle is thoroughly washed. (at this point you can use the remaining wash solution in the bucket and a DEDICATED wash mitt to do your wheels. Or you could have done your wheels prior to the rest of the vehicle but never use the same wash solution to do your wheels and then the paint. That's asking for trouble.) Now remove the hoze nozzle and rinse the vehicle from the top to the bottom. This will sheet off a good amount of the water left on the paint making it easier to dry. Now the best way to dry would be to blot. This method drives me insane so I like to use a QD and a couple good MF towels to go over the rest of the vehicle. Two towels works great. One for the bulk of the water and one for a final pass.

A couple things to note, a good quality wash mitt is a must if you want to limit the swirls. Something like the SM Arnold Wool Wash Mitt works great. Super soft, plenty of nap to help keep the dirt in and off the paint. The other thing is a good quality wash soap. A personal favorite of mine is Optimum Car Wash. It's important to mix it correctly for the best results. Too weak and it won't do its job and to strong and it can remove wax.

If you'd like to go one step further, a foam gun is nice to have as well. I actually use the exact method I described above but I also use a foam gun. So essentialy, I end up with two rinse buckets and because the foam gun properly mixes the soap and applies it directly to the paint.

Even taking all of these precautions, swirls are still inevitable but they will be DRASTICALLY reduced.

As for removing the imperfections you currently have. It'sk ind of tough to call with out seeing it. If you can get pictures of the car is full sun where the sun is reflecting off of the paint and some of the other scratches you mention, it will be much easier for people here to help you.

 

In addition to ESF's very complete reply, let me add about the only things I can. One, use ESF's exact process, but start at the top of the vehicle and work your way down. That's because the really nasty stuff is usually kicked up from the road.

Second, be careful how you dry the vehicle. Use only clean, plush microfiber towels. Remember, any time you're rubbing anything on your paint, you're scratching it - if even at a microscopic level. I actually use an electric leaf blower to remove most of the water before going to the microfiber towels.

Hope that helps.

 

I have a 06 Black KR, the swirl marks were bad when I bought it. I had to change the whole detailing process. First I went to a waffle drying towel, this helped allot, then used megs scratch x, this took some time but got allot of the scratches out, then did a meg wax cleaner, dont ask why just thought it would help. Then followed up with a syn detail. Later that evening, While smoking a cigar and admiring my truck, I could still see some residule mark. I thought I had got all of them. Then good ol dad recommended Turtle wax high gloss (green bottle). That was it, got rid of my swirl mark and boy does my truck look like glass. I hate to say it, but black is the hardest to keep clean, but when she is all shined up, no other color comes near it.

 

All that TW did was hide the swirls. It will not correct them.