Hi Guys, Before I start I am sure this exact topic has been dicussed many, many times in the past and I am sorry for that. I recently put my car in a garage with flourescent lights above. Up untill this point I was alway's fairly satisfied with the condition of the paint. With the lights shining on the black paint, alot of really fine scratches are noticeable when looking closely at the paint. My question is if anybody has used the 3M swirl mark remover? Will this remove these really fine scratches? I know the car is black and that I shouldn't expect flawless paint but I would like to improve the condition a little. I guess the easiest solution is to park the car back outside I always said I would never buy a black car but when buying used my choices were limited, and when not looking so closely the car looks awesome I do use Zaino and am pleased with the results, I baby this car so maybe that is why I am so picky. Thanks Guys, sorry for the long message, Dave
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
If you're using Z5 the swirl marks will continue to reduce with each application.
Haven't used the finesse but they swear it works.
Posted by NexuSS-6 (Member # 708) on :
Hey Dave - welcome to the black car club!
I've gone through this entire ordeal over the past 7 months myself - to the point of even putting in a really low wattage bulb in the garage to minimize my stress level every night when exiting the car. Under really intense light, especially under the kind of lights you'll find at a gas station or in a parking garage, you will find a thousand flaws you've never seen before.
I steadfastly detailed every other day trying to combat these minor swirls and such - especially because my SS was only 4 or 5 months old and I refused to accept the fact that the finish wasn't 110% flawless! How in the hell could the hood and spoiler be that swirled?
I did in fact use the 3m swirl remover and it helped in certain areas that had become somewhat swirled. Namely the hood, spoiler, rear bumper and front nose...actually, the only spots that had swirls whatsoever. And, as I suspect is the case with you, these were *minor* swirls and spiderwebbing - you had to move your head side to side to see them appear.
The nose and bumper cleaned up beautifuly and the hood and spoiler did improve a bit but will both swirl if you so much as look at them. I've accepted that under a flashlight/microscope/parking lot lamp/combo of all of these I will see flaws in both and have just accepted the fact that in normal conditions, she look amazing.
Someting else I've adopted - I'm not sure if you can do the same. I drive my SS daily except during those days in which it rains (rarely snows here in Dallas). On those days, I get my wife to drop me off at the office. A bit crazy? Sure. Do I catch hell from all of my employees every single time this happens? You bet. But I've only had to wash (and more importantly, dry) my SS three times this year. The less I touch the finish, the longer it will last. I use a California duster about once a week with a spot detail of Z6 as needed. About once a month I give her a very in depth detail (Z6, full vaccum, dressing, etc). About every 2 months she gets a full bath - but dried with an Absorber (takes a bit longer to dry but it's well worth it - when I'm finished I only need dab the remaining spots with a towel vs. wiping or applying pressure).
It's discouraging to spend a weekend getting her perfect only to see every imperfection in your black finish when you park under a really intense light the very next evening. I avoid those lights like I avoid the rain now.
Hope this helps ya - good luck with her!
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
That's black for you!! Gas station lights are the worst. Just keep Zainoing and be satisfied you've done all you can do, and accept that dark colours show spider webs.
Posted by NBM98SS (Member # 186) on :
Hi everyone,
Well I can tell you this Navy Blue is just as bad as Black. I bought my SS back in May 0f 98 and didn't know about Zaino at the time. I used just regular wax, and I did more harm than good. Zaino has done wonders to bring out the color of the Blue but the swirls are here to stay. Also when I picked up the car from the dealer they clean the car and polished it up for me.
Posted by NexuSS-6 (Member # 708) on :
Sorry this off topic!!
Hey Hawkeye - have you had a chance to look for your chromed scoop insert? Hate to bug ya but I just remembered when I saw your post here. No hurry - just wanted to know.
Thanks!
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
quote:Originally posted by NexuSS-6: Sorry this off topic!!
Hey Hawkeye - have you had a chance to look for your chromed scoop insert? Hate to bug ya but I just remembered when I saw your post here. No hurry - just wanted to know.
Thanks!
Thanks for asking!!
What we did was take my original and bought some chrome paint and painted it. Total cost about $8.00 Cdn. I could only find 2 places that would chrome plastic. One wanted $300 and one in British Columbia wanted $65. It looks great and really shows off the hood.
Posted by RHT (Member # 902) on :
I'm part of the black SS club too. When I bought my car last year, the dealer wanted to sell me some type of protectant application. It cost about $300 bucks and was supposed to protect cars "like this one" with clear coats and hard to keep finishes. I did not take them up on the offer.
Has anyone else head of this application? If so, does it work?
Posted by DAVE HOUNSELL (Member # 746) on :
Most dealers have some sort of paint protectant. In my opinion it is nothing but a scam! The New Car Dept probably makes more off of undercoating, rustproofing, paint protectant,fabric protectant, and extended warranties than they do off of selling the car. Maybe I am too negative? By the way, thanks for the above reply's Dave
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
I do use Zaino and am pleased with the results, I baby this car so maybe that is why I am so picky.
But I've only had to wash (and more importantly, dry) my SS three times this year. The less I touch the finish, the longer it will last. I use a California duster about once a week with a spot detail of Z6 as needed. About once a month I give her a very in depth detail (Z6, full vaccum, dressing, etc). About every 2 months she gets a full bath - but dried with an Absorber (takes a bit longer to dry but it's well worth it - when I'm finished I only need dab the remaining spots with a towel vs. wiping or applying pressure).
