Clay Bars and 3m swirl mark remover!

I just went through a 6 hour detailing process on my IROC and boy am I happy with the results. started by washing the car with dawn to get rid of last years wax. Then I dried it and proceeded to clay the car. At first I didn't think the clay was doing crap! My car only has about 9,000 miles on it. But after a few panels were done, I tried to lean on it and slipped off my car! Wow does it smooth the paint out! Then I washed the car again and dried it once more. Time to remove the damn swirls from 15 years of sponge washing from the previous owner. I put on the 3m SMR by hand and it took about 2 hours to do. After I finished, I thought the ca look twice as bad as when I started! I was so discouraged. The car looked all blotchy, and there wee long streaks on th car. SoI washed the car, and it didn't get much better. I was pissed at this point. So I thought I may as well ry to wax it to hide the blotchiness. I threw on some Mothers Carnuba wax (No zaino yet) and did the whole car over with it. Then as I take off the wax, there ae NO swirls visible anywhere! The blotchiness was all gone, and the car was starting to look flawless (well there ae a few bigger surface scratches). So when I was finished I was VERY happy with the work I put in!

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1987 Flame Metallic Red IROC-Z Camaro. LT1 motor installed. http://home.attbi.com/~markolc

Great! Sounds good...

Just a note, the 3M SMR is a PITA to use by hand and it takes quite a bit of rubbing to break it down into a finer polish. If you don't completely and thoroughly rub it in, this will cause streaking and even light marring. Usually an application of another paint cleaner will remove the streaks and marring. I'm assuming you used the Mother's carnauba cleaner/wax?? If so, the cleaners are what helped removed the residual 3M. This is why I feel the 3M works best under a machine buffer instead of a wax applicator. Meguiar's wins my vote with #9 for hand swirl removal applications...

Anyhoo, it's all about technique when detailing, not so much the products used. The better the techniques, the better the end results. Sounds like you did good with the clay. Claying is one of my favorite steps because of how it leaves the finish.

Good job!
http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

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*Mike's 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.* (http://mls77.homestead.com/92camarors.html)
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, Kenwood eXcelon KRC-953H/U, Kenwood / Pioneer speakers
Show Car Shine by ZAINO! - Special Thanks to Sal Z!