[AFRichZC6]

You have a lot to learn! I don't have much time before I head to work, but I'll throw out some quick items.

Terms:

Swirl Marks - Fine scratches in the paint. Scratches are in your paint (like getting keyed but much much less deep into the paint). Swirl marks are not something on your paint.

Polish - Abrasive compound used to abrade/level paint to remove swirl marks and light scratches

Wax - Protective coating on top of your paint. A sacrificial barrier to the elements. Not supposed to be abrasive.

Clearcoat - Actual paint product laid on top of base coat when the car was in the factory (or in the body shop getting repainted)


Consider the following whenever you make physical contact with your paint:

Is the media (towel or wash mitt) as clean and as soft of a material as possible? To me, if it has touched anything or stored in anything that's basically not sterile, it's considered dirty and goes into the dirty towel bin. Microfiber towels used for paint are separated from terry cloths and other microfibers that are used for the really dirty jobs, ie. wheel cleaning

Did you take the tags off the microfiber towels?

Is the paint surface really clean and dust/dirt-free? Are you working outside or in a less-dusty/dirty environment, ie. garage

How much pressure are you putting onto the paint, and is it necessary for the task you are doing?

Are you letting any drops of any type of water dry onto the paint surface, and is it drying in the sun? (You shouldn't)

Why are you touching your paint? Do you really have to? Is it really dirty/dusty enough to warrant touching it? Any physical contact with your paint is another chance for swirl marks to show up.


I just rattled off the most basic things I think about whenever I do detailing work on any car that has paint worth caring for.