Swirl Marks....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[ValveTronic]

I purchased my X5 pre-owned. And with most pre-owned cars the paint is riddled with swirl marks. I very comforatable using car care products and well as using a orbital buffer.

How do I remove (not gloss over) the swirl marks? Thanks in advance.

[Mindfull]

I would recommend talking to a local body shop. I had the same issue on a car in mid-90s, and got great info from the local body shop I was referred to. They were not too interested in doing that work (labor/time for little reward), so gave up plenty of details on how to work through the swirls then build up top coat.
Since that was not a Bimmer and it was a decade ago now, some details will be different (water vs solvent based, etc), but getting tips from a Euro body shop should definitely point you in the right direction. They might be able to show you compatible products they have in shop. Good luck.

[bozo]

Dawn + Hot Water + Z1, Z2 and Z5 (in STRAIGHT lines) + 4 hours of excercise = NO SWIRL MARKS!

[david g]

No need to go to a body shop fom past experience they ll add a few more.If youve got a buffer try www.chemicalguys.com.
They have a range of super swirl removal products that will remove the marks ,but be sure to protect the paint work with a good quality of wax and then a seal with one of their paint sealants.

[benathon]

Originally Posted by bozo5521

Dawn + Hot Water + Z1, Z2 and Z5 (in STRAIGHT lines) + 4 hours of excercise = NO SWIRL MARKS!

I agree.

[ValveTronic]

Here is what I am going to do..

I bought a bottle Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover and Z-2 Polish.

Any decent non-abrasive wax will fill in the swirl marks and make them disappear. The problem is that after a few car washes the swirl marks re-appear as the wax is slowly degraded and removed.

My goal is to permanently remove them. According to Zaino, the Z-PC is abrasive and will remove the swirl marks.

I'll let you know how it goes. The goal is to have a clear, swirl mark free shine without any wax! Once I achieve that, the wax will lock in and protect the finish.

[bozo]

Just tried Z-PC for the first time yesterday, and it did a damn good job on a 94 e36. Car doesnt even have to be that clean either..we were just screwing around with it as an experiment, and threw some Z-8 right on top of it...PRESTO!

[jst2878]

3M swirlmark remover!

[benathon]

Originally Posted by bozo5521

Just tried Z-PC for the first time yesterday, and it did a damn good job on a 94 e36. Car doesnt even have to be that clean either..we were just screwing around with it as an experiment, and threw some Z-8 right on top of it...PRESTO!

Its good stuff.

[ValveTronic]

I took the ZPC for a drive and what an improvement... the swirl marks are gone.... ! I topped it off with some Z-2 to protect the finish. I will report back on how well it holds up to the rough and tumble of daily use and weekly washings...