If you own or have ever owned a car then you know what it’s like when your vehicle takes on damage after time. No matter how much you love your car or what you do to protect it, inevitably some kind of wear and tear always befalls these trusty transportation machines. There is one form of wear and tear that is a little harder to spot and affects all vehicles and that’s swirl marks.
What is a Swirl Mark?
A small imperfection in the topmost layer of your car’s paint job is referred to as swirl mark on car.. Typically this damage is most visible when you position light to catch the swirl marks. It happens to any and all vehicles and is something that can seem impossible to get rid of.
Cause of Swirl Marks
The reason that all vehicles will get swirl marks is tiny bits of debris like dirt and dust. Simply exposing your vehicle to the elements can cause these marks as bits of dust or dirt cause these small scrapes in the surface of your paint.
Not only will nature itself gives your car swirl marks but certain processes like automated car washes have been known to be culprits of this damage as well. While it’s true that a car wash is always a good time and in a pinch, it can be the perfect solution to getting that shine you need, the quick abrasiveness of automated car washes has been known to cause swirl marks. These machines don’t apply so much pressure that they would leave easily visible damage, but they can over time cause swirl marks to form.
Another common way that these marks make their way into the surface of your paint is through dirty buffering towels. After you give your car that perfect wash on a nive hot, summer day – you grab a towel from the garage and wipe it down. The problem is that tiny amounts of dirt and debris are all it takes to make these small little micro-scratches. If the towl you’re using isn’t a fresh and clean one, you’ll most likely give your car swirl marks.
The Answer to Swirl Marks
The good news about swirl marks is that they aren’t the most readily noticeable damage that your vehicle can take on. Unlike a bent fender or a cracked windshield, you can operate your car for the most part without ever drawing attention to the damage you have in the surface of your paint.
Not only that but having swirl marks doesn’t put you in danger of driving your vehicle or incurring some kind of citation for doing so. Certain damages can create hazards for driving if not taken care of, swirl marks do not.
Whether you are wanting to sell your car or simply desire to remove the swirl marks for yourself, taking care of them can happen at your own pace when you are ready for it. It’s also a process that takes a bit of time and attention, so being sure that you are ready and willing to work for the results you want is key as this is not a small process.
Buffer, Buffer, Buffer
Getting rid of pesky swirl marks largely happens in two steps – removal of the top layers of your paint and then fresh application. While you can pay for this to be done professionally if you aren’t comfortable or don’t have the time to complete it on your own, the process is not hard.
The first step is simply buffing out the top layer of paint that houses the damage. This is most effectively done with an electric buffer and microfiber towels to clean up the progress. Be sure to tape around the areas you don’t want to buff and use a ceramic shield when you’re done to seal in your work.
Paint
The second step is arguably the most challenging. The first part of painting your vehicle is being absolutely certain it’s clean and dry. Once that is done, you’ll work panel by panel applying the fresh new topcoat of paint carefully to the car. Making sure that the coat is evenly distributed is another important part of this step.
Once you’re finished with the coat of paint, you’ll polish your finished work and veal it yet again for protection using a ceramic shield.
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