What causes the swirl marks & scratches

[bluezone]

I see a lot comments on removing swirl marks and scratches. I'd like to know what seems to be causing this in the first place? Is this due to using the wrong type of car wash? Or, being caused by the type of clothes/sponges used to wash and/or dry the MINIs? Not covering the MINIs up at night and just the elements? How can you keep this from happening......

[ButtonIt]

Swirl marks come from automatic car washers, or sometimes bits of grit and dirt in sponges

[Rakey]

yeah, always make sure that whatever you clean your car with is bit free, if you drop it on the floor once, then thats it shagged. Best to use a lambs wool mitt that can be washed in the machine and holds the bits less.

[napster]

When using cloths to glaze, polish and wax the paint make certain the cloth is 100% cotton. If it contains any polyester/cotton mix this will also cause swirls marks. Pop down to your local Costco and buy a bag of their micro-fiber towels, they are 100%cotton and will not cause any swirls marks.

[Mike Edwards]

Plus, there's the "de-nibbing" that's done at the plant - power mops being run over the paint while it's still soft.

Too much pressure and/or a pad that's been on too long and the result is swirl-marks in the paint.

[Iamamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by napster

When using cloths to glaze, polish and wax the paint make certain the cloth is 100% cotton. If it contains any polyester/cotton mix this will also cause swirls marks. Pop down to your local Costco and buy a bag of their micro-fiber towels, they are 100%cotton and will not cause any swirls marks.

They are not cotton, they are micro-fibers which is a syntetic material if I am correct, but cotton it is not.

[Bilbo Baggins]

100% micro fleece towels and soft long bristled hand held brushes. And whoever said it is correct. If you drop anything on the ground, don't even bother to pick it up because it will have grit on it for sure.

[bluezone]

Thanks guys for your help and suggestions, all great. I know it's a simple question but I really didn't know. It is knowing the little things that can really make all the difference in the long run.

Bluezone

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Iamamini

They are not cotton, they are micro-fibers which is a syntetic material if I am correct, but cotton it is not.

I happen to have a pack of those Costco microfiber towels. they are 20% polyamide and 80% polyester.

So then the question is - is microfiber ok? They seem pretty good to me.

[zyo]

To get rid of the swirl marks you have already use Meguiars scratch x.When my previous black MINI ONE went to the dealers for warranty work or a service they used to put it through their car wash which used to cover it in those swirl scratches.If i remembered i would tell them to hand wash only.I did comment to the guy at the dealers that their car wash was putting scratches on my car and he said that it couldn't be their car wash cos it was fine when they put the 7 series and all the rest of the expensive stuff through,"have you put it through another car wash",i don't think he believed me when i said no but i have never been through a car wash in my life.Any way when it came back from the dealers i used to get the Meguiars scratch x and it would get rid of the swirls.I use to apply it with a big round car sponge and wipe off with a 100% terry towel,although i assumed you would have to rub in straight lines so as to not create more scratches i found that it didn't matter if i went in straight lines or circles it still did the job.If you have a black MINI i think it is invaluable.I have since got a Pepper White MINI ONE which doesn't show up the swirls,but i have still given it a scratch x treatment cos it has been to the dealers a few times.

[Iamamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by stephenjc

I happen to have a pack of those Costco microfiber towels. they are 20% polyamide and 80% polyester.

So then the question is - is microfiber ok? They seem pretty good to me.

Sure it will be ok, I was just pointing out that it is not cotton, not that it is not good using it