Automotive International

pdta

January 5,1999

SUBJECT: Swirl Marks Removal (Micro Scratches)

If Swirl Marks are present there are several factors that will determine the extent to which they are repairable.

How deep are they?

How much paint film is left on the vehicle?

What type of paint is it?

How old is the paint?

Factory or refinish?

Basecoat/clearcoat?

Topcoat?

Anti-chip primer present?

How was it buffed last?

All of which will effect how the process works, which steps may need to be repeated, - remember, not all vehicles or their paint is the same.

The following process will allow you the best possible chance at repairing not hiding swirl marks.

1^st The surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any and all waxes or make-up type products.

2^nd The paint must be measured to ensure sufficient film build - Is there enough paint to work with?

3^rd Assuming there is sufficient paint to work with - IF the swirls are numerous and appear to be deep you must first "cut" the paint using Liquid Paint Correction Cream and a Clearcoat cutting pad.

4^th After you cut, removing no more than .3 of a mil you then must polish with Pre-conditioner Cleaner and a Lambs wool pad.

5^th After Lambs wool some vehicles will require additional polishing with a Foam pad with Pre-conditioner Cleaner at an extremely low speed.

The following chart will help guide you thru this process. Remember to diagnose each vehicle to determine the proper procedures and process.

Step

1. Neutralize and strip with A-B-C.
2. Measure paint
3. "Cut" if necessary -

          Product "L" Liquid Paint Correction Cream
          Hi speed buffer 1400-1500 RPM
          Clearcoat cutting pad, buff spur-spur pad often
          clean off buff splatter before next step

4. "Polish"-

                    Product "J" Pre-Conditioner Cleaner
                 Hi speed buffer 1200-1500 RPM
                 Lambs wool pad - buff spur
                 go slow, keep buffer flat, overlap in both directions,
                 no downward pressure, spur pad often.

5. Repeat polish step 4 if necessary.

6. If necessary polish again using foam-

        "J" Pre-Conditioner Cleaner
        Hi speed buffer 1000-1200 RPM Max
       White or black foam pad-clean pad often with stiff bristle detail
        brush
        Polish all areas as needed going slow with no downward
        pressure.
        Keep your speed down to a max of 1200 RPM.
        Overlap all passes in both directions.

7. Final Seal-Blow off all buff residue with air.

        Use D/A Polisher speed set @ #4 or #5
        White or black foam pad (clean)
        OEM 1 Step - Paint Sealant or Carnauba Cream.
        Using approximately 2-3 ounces of product use slow
        overlapping passes in both directions. (DO NOT apply to
        vinyl trim)!

8. Detail - using orbital polisher and clean soft bonnets remove
        final sealant or wax after completely dry 10-20 minutes.
        Use clean soft towels to remove remainin residue, blow off
        with air any dust.

Always keep in mind each vehicle will "buff" differently, always work with a clean surface. Keep your pads clean, use small amounts of product, keep buffer flat to surface. Keep your RPM down, always overlap and use no downward pressure.

The Final Rule is simple:

YOU CANNOT RUSH THRU THIS PROCESS!!!!!

If you are not completely sure you have a swirl free finish, clean selected areas with 70% rubbing alcohol and two soft, clean towels, one to agitate the alcohol, one to wipe dry- wait 2 or 3 minutes then inspect-If swirls are still present-do the polish process again-or you may have a vehicle so "butchered" by some "detailer" you may never get the swirls out.

Timothy J. Brune

Technical Director