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Way Out Of Bounds Car ?

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nmkid

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My grandson is thinking about selling his Honda Civic and would like to clean up the paint. No scratches, but lots of "swirl" marks. What could we use to make the paint look clean again? The car is 3 years old.
 
Or drive to Oregon, and let a pro do his magic
I was contemplating shipping him a brand new Mcguire's RO polisher and pads to use.
I bought it for my black truck as it was the craze and I liked the demo that was preformed on a black car.
The Rep paid particular attention to try and wear out a paint edge, it didn't burn through I bought it and put it in my box, it's been there ever since. Lol
 
My grandson is thinking about selling his Honda Civic and would like to clean up the paint. No scratches, but lots of "swirl" marks. What could we use to make the paint look clean again? The car is 3 years old.

If willing to invest in some tools that'll last a good long while, he might consider acquiring a decent random-orbital dual-action polishing machine, pads and chemicals.

Rejuvenated a 20yr old Ford Mustang's gloss black paint (excepting the chips and the worst of the scratches), along with all of the hazing and oxidation. Turned a couple of Mazda Miatas that lived outdoor lives into near-showroom examples of swirl- and scratch-free rides. Can do wonders, if willing to take the time. The Mustang took all day; the newer Miatas less than half that. Doesn't require a "paint specialist" to accomplish, with these RO/DA type polishers. Plus, then you've got the tool and pads for the next time around. Works very well.

Something like this, for example:
 
Easy Button? Have a local detail shop polish it up and sell it. Or use the already mentioned Random Orbital Polisher, it is not a buffer, buffer you can rub through an edge quick. ROP will not.
If a 3 YO car is that bad see if a local detailer can quote you a exterior detail.
Mild polish and buffer then final polish with ROP to put the final gleam in it.
 
First off, I am not a body man or a detailer, but I hate any type of polishing machine.
I have had black trucks(F150) for the last 45 years and never had swirls and do all my own detailing.
First wash the car a couple of times using Dawn and HOT WATER (to remove old wax). Then a good wax (Mothers Cailfornia Gold) is my preference, with a horizontal or vertical motion both putting it on and taking it off, never go in circles.
This should remove all the swirls and come out looking new.
Production guys will scoff but for us amatures it works.
 
I've used "Color Back" for many years, though not lately. Put it on a soft rag, apply by hand, then polish by hand. The paint will be bright as new. Sixty years ago I made quite a bit of money detailing cars, I've never used a power buffer, too easy to rub through the paint. Instead of paste wax I now use a Lucas product, very simple, very easy for this 81 year old geezer.
 
There's going to be many here who take this more seriously than I do, but here is what I use on my wife's black car once a year:


She likes to go through automatic car washes a few times a week, and it gets serious swirling (she doesn't mind, but I refuse to send my truck through it. I'd rather it be dirty than scratched to hell and back). I do it by hand, takes about an hour after a wash.

Just about any cleaning wax from a reputable brand should do it well enough for selling.
 
I'd use 3D ceramic compound and polish, it's all I use.
Random orbital polisher might be better suited for a novice versus a regular directional buffer
I agree. Random or orbital or dual actual orbital is best. Depending on the severity of the swirl marks you can go in long continuous strokes back and forth and don’t stay in one place.
If the paint is really bad, I’d use a Lake country orange CCS pad with Megs 105 and follow up with Megs 205 on a yellow or white CCS pad. Finally, to seal it I’d use Megs M21 Mirror glaze. If the swirls are minor, start with M205 on an orange pad and then switch to M205 on a white pad, finish with M21 on a red pad.
The 3D ceramic products last longer on the pads and are a tad easier to work with but it’s really tough to beat the 105/205/M21 mirror glaze process.
Read the process Kevin Brown follows in the link below. I think the work he does with car finishes is on par with Brett’s stock work, and that is the highest compliment I can give.

 
My grandson is thinking about selling his Honda Civic and would like to clean up the paint. No scratches, but lots of "swirl" marks. What could we use to make the paint look clean again? The car is 3 years old.
If you lived closer I show the kid how to do it. It’s an impressive tool to have in your arsenal. People seem to be amazed when I just do my normal work on their car. It’s actually pretty funny because car paint is super durable and you can do some amazing correction work. Every car I’ve ever owned started out getting fully clayed and then aggressively polished with orange LC CCS pad and Megs 105. The orange peel on new cars is truly atrocious. Even $100K Lincoln navigators start out with a garbage orange peel paint job. Brett probably looks at every new car an has a heart attack when his reflection looks like a funhouse mirror. The clear coat on ALL new cars should be polished flat to reflect light in the same direction. Once you have seen what a new car polished looks like side by side to a factory painted car, you will realize how poor we paint cars in every factory in the world.
Dave
 
A rookie with a buffer is worse than a rookie with a Unithroater
Pay detail shop --best $$ you will spend ...

With a rotary butter, I'd agree.

But with a DA/RO buffer and patience, it's darned hard to actually harm the paint. One would have to polish it dry, and then hang around over that same spot for a good long while, before the paint would show any sign of damage.

On a vehicle anybody's willing to keep, it's a relatively inexpensive investment in the beauty of the car. And, as some have suggested, it's surprising how even new cars' paint jobs can be improved. Seeing as how they come to the dealers with rail dust and all sorts of minor defects, they can all do with a proper polishing.
 
Good God.

Sell it as is and quit putzing around with polishers and compounds.

This crap only matters with high-end cars and/or idiots.

It's a Honda Civic.

If you can not stand to not do something then hand wax it. That will hide swirl marks. Meanwhile tell your grandson to stay out of automatic car washers and to quit playing around with buffers.
 
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