Change History

[quote="Burg Boxster"]
Use least invasive method possible.

If not correcting, then move onto something ever so slightly more aggressive.

Before I'd go w/ either of those rubbing compounds, I try the following in order:

- clay bar w/ detail spray
- white vinegar and water
- hand glaze
- swirl remover by hand
- swirl remover by machine
- very mild polish by hand
- very mild polish by machine
- mild polish by hand
- mild polish by machine
- medium polish by hand
- medium polish by machine

Unless this thing was a Pterosaurs, above should more than resolve (my guess is mild polish by machine at the latest) before having to move to any rubbing compound...

Good luck :)[/quote]

I don't really want to get into a war about products and techniques or anything but I have read bad things about using clay bar. It would not be at the top of my list of products to try. I'm not even sure about white vinegar though I don't have any literature on it. Vinegar is basically acetic acid. The idea of applying even a mild acid to my paintwork gives me pause.

I would start with hand glaze, then go down this list. Stop when you get to an effective product, then work your way back up the list to erase the scratches left by the products you used at the previous level. But skip the vinegar and clay bar.

One last thing... when rubbing by hand do not rub in circles. This will leave visible swirls no matter what product you are using. Rub in an up and down motion always in the same direction (front of car to back of car). For the same reason I do not ever use any kind of powered machine to clean, wax, or polish my paint. You end up having to hand rub out the swirls left by the machine. The machine will always do a worse job than hand polishing, it just does it quicker and easier which is why paint shops use them.

regards John

[quote="Burg Boxster"]
Use least invasive method possible.

If not correcting, then move onto something ever so slightly more aggressive.

Before I'd go w/ either of those rubbing compounds, I try the following in order:

- clay bar w/ detail spray
- white vinegar and water
- hand glaze
- swirl remover by hand
- swirl remover by machine
- very mild polish by hand
- very mild polish by machine
- mild polish by hand
- mild polish by machine
- medium polish by hand
- medium polish by machine

Unless this thing was a Pterosaurs, above should more than resolve (my guess is mild polish by machine at the latest) before having to move to any rubbing compound...

Good luck :)[/quote]

I don't really want to get into a war about products and techniques or anything but I have read bad things about using clay bar. It would not be at the top of my list of products to try. I'm not even sure about white vinegar though I don't have any literature on it. Vinegar is basically acetic acid. The idea of applying even a mild acid to my paintwork gives me pause.

I would start with hand glaze, then go down this list. Stop when you get to an effective product, then work your way back up the list to erase the scratches left by the products you used at the previous level. But skip the vinegar and clay bar.

regards John