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How do I remove swirls from my car paint?

I stopped by the car wash fundraiser the other day, and this Biff Tannen-looking kid washed and waxed my truck. Predictably, now there are swirl marks on every panel of my truck. How do I remove swirls from my car paint?

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Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Don’t worry; you won’t need to travel back in time to avoid that car wash. Repairing swirl marks in paint is a relatively simple process; you just need patience, the right materials, and some elbow grease.
Here is the list of products you will need to get started:
  • Car shampoo
  • Car wash mitt
  • Clay bar
  • Clay lubricant
  • Iron/fallout removed
  • Microfiber drying towel
  • Microfiber buffing cloth
  • Machine polisher
  • Polish
  • Polish pads
Next, follow these steps to get your truck looking new again:
  1. Wash: I know you just had the truck washed, but give it another scrub to ensure it is completely free of all dirt and debris. Then, use the iron/fallout spray on all areas with the swirl marks and rinse the car again.
  2. Clay wash: If your car looks clean and feels smooth to the touch, you can skip this part. If the swirl marks are rough, you will need a clay bar to get the surface smooth again. Break off a small piece of the clay bar and work it into a flat surface. Spray the affected areas with clay lubricant and glide the bar over the car’s surface using overlapping passes. When done, wipe the car with a microfiber cloth; the car’s surface should feel smooth now.
  3. Polish: Apply 3-4 drops of polish to the machine polisher. Work from the top of the car on down moving in small, overlapping circles. Before the polish can dry, wipe away any access polish with a microfiber cloth.
  4. Wax: This is the last step! Always follow up with wax and remove any waxy haze with the microfiber towel.
I know this looks like a long process, but it will be worth it in the end! Since you take such good care of your truck, ensure it’s protected by great
car insurance
as well!
If you want to save money on car insurance, the
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