Get out my Swirlmarks

so i got swirl marks on my A3 and i tried using scratch removers to get it out, but it's not working.

what else can i go to get it out? if i go to the autoshop to respray a clearcoat on my car, how much would that cost?

by the way, i'm i the only guy with an A3 that has the Bi-Xenon headlights?

I seem to remember you having a black car. Use 3M #39009, swirl mark remover for dark colored cars. It's a very fine product for making a black or dark finish appear uniform by hand rubbing. get 10 or so small pieces of used cotton terry towel ( 6" x 12"), do a small section at a time ( 2' x 2' or so), follow their instructions. The product leaves a very slight oily residue, and picky detailers wash with Dawn or wipe with wax remover before final polish or wax.

Nam,

I would try clay bar first and see if that works. It'll be much safer on the clear coat finish and they have it in light and medium grades which would be safe for you finish. I would slowly exhaust all alternatives before going with the above recommendation. You didn't happen to purchase any of the paint protection, did you?

Swirl marks suck.

Chef, have you tried the 3M? It's a very light cut product, similar to clearcoat preps and polishes. We use it with great success detailing black Porsches for concours events, usually followed by a Zaino polish. It's really good for getting rid of fine haze and swirls that show so much in black; makes the finish look deep and even. It's also not too picky about application technique. It's made for hand use.
This product is made for this specific use on dark clearcoat finishes. I've done this with claybar also; I find that claybar does a better job of removing trash and glassing the finsh, but is not as good at evening up the appearance.

David

i used Mother's claybar yesturday, it's great at removing sand and tree sap that was stuck on my car from months ago that i couldn't get out, but the claybar took it out,

although

it didn't take out the swirlmarks, sorry chef

i don't remember buying the paint protection, was it supposed to come with the car? or did i have to get it from the aftermarket?

where can i get the 3M?........ or should i just go to the body shop and redue a clearcoat?

I sure wouldn't be going to the paintshop yet; your paint would never be the same if you shot a new clearcoat.

You can get the 3M at any auto paint and body store, it's pretty common. Sometimes a place like Pep Boys or O'Reillys will have it.
If you're new to this kinda stuff, read the instructions well, and try it on a less obvious area of the car first to get a feel for the product. Try to use it under fluorescents, as they show up haze, scratches and swirls well.

i brought my car to the detail shop today so they can look at it, they said they can just buff it out for like 150bucks, no need for another clear coat, should i do that instead? but i'll try the 3M first.

Try 3M first but I would also stay clear of them to buff it out and definately dont go to the paintshop. What year is your A3.

Thanks everyone for the input, i brought my car to the detail shop, they just buffed it out for me, they also buffed out my fine scratch marks too, too bad not ALL the fine scratchmarks came out. they washed it...... 3 times, buffed it twice, waxed it twice, my car's shiney like a black diamond. check out the few pictures i put up.

i have an 06 2.0T by the way.

Hey,

Your car isn't that old. What happened to make it in need of such intense detail work? Are you rally racing or something? I know there was a post about flying an A3, but don't take it to heart! I hope you start treating that car with a little more respect mister. J/k

Cheers!

Chef

i think in one of my car washes in the past, i think the brisols made the fine scratches, for now one, i'm washing my own car.


but

if anything, i can always repaint my car..... hee hee.

besides, the detail job was only 140 bucks, not bad for washing 3 times, buffing and waxing two times each huh?

black cars are sooo hard to take care.


Chef, how come you chose lava grey over black?

Everyone I know that has used automated car washes have had problems.....stay clear and stick to good ol elbow grease.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Audinam



Chef, how come you chose lava grey over black?

Look at the picture of my car. It's BEEEEaUtiFUL! I like black cars when they are perfectly detailed, and maybe that's why the Lava Grey interested me, but it's much more unique with colors that change with the light. How can you explain WHY you love something? It just hits you a certain way that is pleasing.

I agree with the elbow grease theory. I won't let anyone else wash my car, other than maybe a good detail shop. The van goes to the touchless car was, but not the Audi!

Cheers!

Chef

when are you getting your exhaust?

damn.......... i think for my next audi......... i'm not getting black no more, maybe lava grey........ or how bout orange? haa haa. j/k

you should try meguires swirl remover and then hit it up with a clay bar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Audinam

when are you getting your exhaust?

damn.......... i think for my next audi......... i'm not getting black no more, maybe lava grey........ or how bout orange? haa haa. j/k

Waiting on them to get the production units available. The prototype went back to Japan a month ago, so maybe a couple more months. Like Tom Petty says, waiting is the hardest part!

Car is still quick as He** right now so I'm not too anxious at the moment.

Are you thinking about the exhaust upgrade now? I love my rims otherwise I'd be thinking seriously about putting some fatter 19" tires on this car. I really need some help getting traction, and probably even more with the exhaust. A big turbo kit would definitely require the bigger tread!

Cheers!

Chef

couple months chef? if i wanted the exhaust that bad, i don't think i can be patient, hats off to you that you have the patience for it.


i'm not wanting an exhaust yet, but rims would be really nice, maybe 18s, but i don't know about 19s, too much metal, too little rubber, but some fat 18s would be great, maybe have the tires come out by an inch or so.

The exhaust that I'm waiting for is free. I tend to have a lot more patience waiting for something is I know that it is free. Spending $1k+ for an exhaust now would feel really crappy in two months when I could've had a free one. Better to wait.

I agree with the bigger tread. 19's would really fill out the wheel wells but 18's would be good too. Definitely need a little wider tread, maybe a 245mm? That would really make the car look mean, especially with the exhaust sound. Bye bye PeePee racers!

Cheers!

Chef

how are you getting a free exhaust? i didn't know that.......... ok, it's worth the wait then.

does getting aftermarket rims void the warranty?

I don't think aftermarket rims will void the warranty unless they rub against the calipers or in some other way damage the vehicle.

My car was used as a prototype for a CAT back exhaust for GReddy performance. They are currently making the production model and I'll get a free one after they're released.

Cheers!

Chef

swril marks dont come out with wax..u can hide for a while but they come back... best is a blue foam polishing pad to remove it....i would do that for a $100..

quote:

ORIGINAL: Audinam

i think in one of my car washes in the past, i think the brisols made the fine scratches, for now one, i'm washing my own car.


but

if anything, i can always repaint my car..... hee hee.

besides, the detail job was only 140 bucks, not bad for washing 3 times, buffing and waxing two times each huh?

black cars are sooo hard to take care.


Chef, how come you chose lava grey over black?

I am not sure where you live at but Meguiar's is located in Irvine California and they offer free detailing classes every week in Irvine and around the US every once in awhile.

I was lucky enough to get an added dealer option DISM with holograms when I got my black A3. It has taken about three months of learning to remove them. I got a dual action buffer and use Meguiar's #83 and #80 to remove both the holograms and swirl marks. The paint almost looks perfect in bright sunlight.

With a black car, you need to learn how to wash it yourself properly and keep the paint looking good. Any flaw will show up with a black car.

Spend some time at either www.meguiars.com or www.meguiarsonline.com and you will learn how to properly care for a dark color car.