MINI2

bluezone · Apr 16th, 2005, 11:54 AM

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 · Apr 16th, 2005, 12:13 PM

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

Rakey · Apr 16th, 2005, 12:20 PM

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 · Apr 16th, 2005, 06:38 PM

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 · Apr 16th, 2005, 08:00 PM

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 · Apr 16th, 2005, 09:56 PM

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 · Apr 16th, 2005, 10:02 PM

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 · Apr 17th, 2005, 01:48 AM

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 · Apr 17th, 2005, 03:22 AM

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 · Apr 17th, 2005, 08:01 AM

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 · Apr 18th, 2005, 06:49 PM

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

Apr 16th, 2005, 11:54 AM	#1
bluezone MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 02:57 PM Posts: 34 Offline	What causes the swirl marks & scratches 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......

Apr 16th, 2005, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
ButtonIt The Disorganiser My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Waiting for others Local Time: 10:57 PM Posts: 15,546 Offline	Swirl marks come from automatic car washers, or sometimes bits of grit and dirt in sponges Sponsor our Rickshaw team, please click here for info

Apr 16th, 2005, 12:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rakey Four Candles? My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hardware Shop Local Time: 10:57 PM Posts: 50,823 Offline	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. The only problem I have is knowing which one to drive?

Apr 16th, 2005, 10:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bilbo Baggins MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Shire, Middle Earth Local Time: 05:57 PM Posts: 8,854 Offline	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. Motor on, Dudes and Dudettes!!! '06 MCS SB/S '02 MCS DS/W (retired)

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Apr 16th, 2005, 06:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
napster MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Local Time: 09:57 PM Posts: 43 Offline	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.

Apr 16th, 2005, 08:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike Edwards MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Herefordshire Local Time: 10:57 PM Posts: 813 Offline	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.

Apr 16th, 2005, 09:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Iamamini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Local Time: 11:57 PM Posts: 199 Offline	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.

Apr 17th, 2005, 01:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
bluezone MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 02:57 PM Posts: 34 Offline	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

Apr 17th, 2005, 03:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
stephenjc MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Suburb of Chicago Local Time: 03:57 PM Posts: 752 Offline	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.

Apr 17th, 2005, 08:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
zyo owt else is just traffic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Edge of Reason Local Time: 10:57 PM Posts: 1,433 Offline	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.

Apr 18th, 2005, 06:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Iamamini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Local Time: 11:57 PM Posts: 199 Offline	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

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