After cleaning my NBP fit today, I noticed some auto carwash swirls/scratches on my car. There are some spots that looked like it got sanded off when they detailed it before the pick up. It's a less than a month old car and I have never cleaned it in an auto car wash booth and I have only used microfiber stuff to clean it so I'm pretty sure I didn't cause the marks. I picked a car that is fresh from the trailer and still has the plastic covering inside/out. Any suggestions on how to bring this up to the dealer? I have a feeling I'll just get the runaround treatment with this but any suggestions from someone who experienced the same situation will be greatly appreciated.

 

i think the best they will offer is another "detail"


is the clearcoat still there?

do you have any polish like ScratchX and a foam pad you can work with?

 

Almost every Fit seems like it is given to someone with swirl marks on it. The paint is very brittle and from what I was told by my dealer's service manager was that this paint does not have a separate clear coat, but that it is part of the paint itself (if that makes sense).

 

wow i didn't know that was possible. it sounds kinda fishy.

 

I am avoiding the dealer detail offer like a plague. I think clearcoat is there, what I meant is that there is kinda sanded look in one spot when you look at it at certain angle. I would hate to make the thin clearcoat thinner by using the scratchX.

 

there goes my figment of imagination thin clearcoat

 

I agree with you, but at that time I didn't really care about the reality of it since they were going to have to repaint the rear bumper no matter what they said.

 

Hopefully I will be able to take my car to the dealer tomorrow to have them look at my other paint problems and I will try to get the low down on whether or not this is true.

 

unless they use some sort of new paint technology, cars are painted with a primer, basecoat, and clear.

if the Fit's paint is the same mil as my 06 civic, you have no issues with
ScratchX for at least 5-6 apps using decent pressure on a foam pad.

i used Griot's Polish3 on my RO and no issues even after many passses.

 

Do you have any good DIY guide link pertaining this process?

 

ShowCarDetailing

Griot's Garage 1-800-345-5789 - Car Care for the Perfectionist you can download their handbook to start you off...

you can also find autofreak vids at youtube.

 

I had some swirls and water spots on my red Prelude last summer that were simply driving me nuts. They were on the exposed areas like the trunk lid and spoiler. I was really considering just to get it painted again since I couldnt figure it out. My local body shop told me not to get it painted...instead the guy came out with 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and it removed all the swirls and water spots in about 10 min. The shine was unreal.

He was saying the swirls can be caused by washing, waxing and even by someone leaning on it. The water spots were from over waxing the car. After that, I went to buy a bottle of Hand Glaze. $40 CAD for 950ml bottle. I also put a coat on my purple civic and it removed all the swirls.

 

water spots from 'over waxing' huh?

water spots are usually caused by dried out minerals from your tap.
best to remove them using a claybar.

 

Sorry to hear of your paint damage. Personally...I would never take my cars to any detailer...period. The people who worked there usually do not treat the cars like they were their own. When I take my car to the dealer for any work, I specifically tell them I DON'T WANT IT WASHED. I clean my cars by myself and I treat the paint a newborn baby's skin.

 

no. its a two stage paint. there is a clear coat. to get rid of the swirls, go to a shop that sells automotive paint, give them the paint number and ask them to recommend a polish that will take out swirls. i forgot the product i used but it was made by 3m.

 

Alright, I just got back from the dealer and the service rep informed me that I was wrong about the clear coat being in the paint. He stated that THERE IS NO CLEAR COAT! Wtf?!? I don't know what to believe now. He was saying that Honda has gone to a water-based paint with no clear coat to be more environmentally friendly.

 

Well that would explain why after only a few months the cars are showing up with swirls. I have only used the Absorber, microfiber clothes, lambs mit to wash, microfiber mits for the top and bottom of the car. Washing only cool to touch paint, Two bucket system. I have so many fine swirls on the car that I just took it to the car wash on Saturday because it doesn't make any difference. I have put two waxes on the car - never clayed but will this coming spring when it gets warmer. I am going to try to clay, then use scratch x - it is a bummer to have a paint job that looks great at night and in the shade but in direct sunlight on close inspection it looks like spider man is living on my car!

Cat : x

 

Mines had some major swirl action from day one aswell. When they told me they were going back to wash my car the day i bought it i was happy and thankful that they would do such a thing, now i know. Im going to make sure they dont wash my car when i buy my next. Consider yourself lucky that you have red, black shows swirls two times more

 

I hate my paint.

/thread

I made the mistake of using those brushes at a DIY carwash a while ago. I knew I should have listened to that voice in my head. Yes, I have swirls like a mofo. Only visible in the sun though.

 

I am soo with you there. The worst part of the car