Looking for help on how to get rid of swirls & fine scratches on the exterior of my xj

[Johnxj]

Hi

I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for information on how to get rid of swirls & fine scratches on my xj.

I have a portfolio xj 2015 plate,new ivory interior and black exterior,I've had my Jaguar 4 weeks and have noticed swirl marks on the exterior paintwork,it's more noticeable when the sun hits it,nothing to do with me as I noticed it when buying the car,salesman said most used cars are like this,it's obviously not been washed properly,any advice.john

[Old Peter]

Hi John, and welcome to the club.

 

A good detailer can remove swirls with a lot of elbow grease and various polishes.  

 

But having said that, the cost could well be several hundred pounds.   It has been carelessly washed prior to you buying it, possibly in one of those supermarket hand wash systems, or indeed at a car wash.

 

Did you buy the car new?  If so the dealer should rectify it or stand the cost.  If you bought it second hand, then it would be hard to prove who caused the swirls.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[Librapt]

Hi john

I feel your pain, I'm by no means a professional detailer but... Swirl marks drive me mad. Unless you actually remove some of the paint (t cut I think does this) you can't remove swirl marks as they are scratches in the paint. There's a ton you can do to fill them so you won't notice them.

Peters right, swirl marks will happen with any car, but it's more often down to poor cleaning techniques. I use the two bucket method to avoid swirls but my neighbours call me mental.

So, personally I use a decent deep cleanser, then a good wash/ conditioner then a good quality polish. Once that's done put a hard thick wax on the car. I use collonite, it's only £20 but the best wax I've used for a while and the shine is deep and swirl marks, hidden as the wax fills the fine scratches. Just means it needs doing every 6 months, the tin say a year but if you want less swirls...... ;)

Enjoy the car, sounds awesome

[Johnxj]

Hi Peter. Thank you for the welcome

Jaguar dealer had there accountant driving about in it for the first 3000 miles. Possibly him that's not washed it properly or the dealer.

Thanks for your reply.

[Johnxj]

Hi Sam

I've been washing it myself with the 2 bucket method with lambs wool glove and drying it with a big micro fibre cloth.

I've had the car 4 weeks and wash it once a week,I read up on the 2 bucket method as I didn't want to make it any worse with scratches.

Im trying to take in all that's needed for me to polish and wax as I've never done that before and I'm wary of doing something wrong especially with the car just 6 months old.

Do I use a cloth or a polishing machine for the polish and wax ?

Do you know much about an electric blower to dry off the car rather than a cloth.

Thank you for your reply

[Old Peter]

Hi John,

 

The accountant who drove the car around was not a good accountant if he didn't wash the car properly himself!  I trained as an accountant, and learned how to nit pick!

 

He probably had it hand washed at a supermarket, or had it washed by the dealer's car washers/

 

I use the two [sometimes three] bucket system with one or two washes in plain luke warm water and then a good quality shampoo.  I use Autoglym. I then dry the car with a drying towel from Halfords. Then a wipe over with a microfibre cloth.

 

My car had a paint protection treatment when I got it, so basically that is all it was had till now.  It is supposed to last three years, but with the car in my possession for two years and three months, and winter coming on I am going to give is a good wash, and a paint treatment, before waxing.

 

I have an electrical polisher, but tend not to use it on the car preferring to use microfibre cloths, as they get into nooks and crannies easier.

 

But I am long retired and have the time and can pick the weather   ---   but never on a very hot day!

 

Regards

 

Peter.

 

[PD Miller]

Almost frightened to say this but I tried (very gingerly)and after much deliberation,  one of the dry wax polishes. , I think it's called Showroom Shine. I was pleasantly surprised at the result. No swirl marks or scratches. The car wasn't covered in mud or salt before I started and I experimented on the Wife's car first   but if you follow the instructions it seems to work. I did the XK which is dark green and it looks great but if it was filthy I would be tempted to wash it first.

I've also had reasonable success with Colour Magic which fills the scratches and lasts a month or two before you have to do it again.

[Johnxj]

Thank you all for your replies and advice and the photos of your cars,I'm going to take my time on looking at different techniques for a swirl product to cover up for a couple of months and then get a proper detailer to get rid of them,I'm not going to try to completely remove them myself as I'm not confident enough and with it being a new car I will leave it to the professionals.

[Old Peter]

Hi John,

 

I think you are doing the right thing.  You have a new car and giving it a good start is really a good investment.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.