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Need help?
I just washed my 2002 Alpake Beige allroad for the first time and left very light swirls everywhere! I used products from Griotsgarage, including the car wash, boars head brush, and drying towel. I thorougly rinsed car and constantly dipped brush in soap while washing. I then used the California water blade to remove most of the water while rinsing the blade every 5-10 strokes. Finally, I used the drying towel to get the remaining spots. I think a used a circular motion with the drying towel. Anyone know what caused swirls and how to prevent?
I have the clay bar, polish and wax from Griots, too. Should I apply all of that now or wait to wash the car again?
Thanks for advice.
I have the clay bar, polish and wax from Griots, too. Should I apply all of that now or wait to wash the car again?
Thanks for advice.
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Was there a mitt involved? Called Griots? Don't sweat the swirl marks, but don't do that again.
It sounds like you did something wrong but most people here do a 3M Imperial Hand Glaze or similar treatment once or twice a year to get rid of swirl marks.
I just use about 4 gallons of water, P21S paint conditioning shampoo, a soft wool (straight hair) mitt and cotton towels.
How "hard" is a boar hair brush? Good chance the dealer swirled your paint for you when he preped the car. You just removed the "covering" by washing the car.
Try lighting your towels on fire with a lighter or match? 100 percent cotton isn't suppossed to burn according to some car care sight I can't remember right now.
I just use about 4 gallons of water, P21S paint conditioning shampoo, a soft wool (straight hair) mitt and cotton towels.
How "hard" is a boar hair brush? Good chance the dealer swirled your paint for you when he preped the car. You just removed the "covering" by washing the car.
Try lighting your towels on fire with a lighter or match? 100 percent cotton isn't suppossed to burn according to some car care sight I can't remember right now.
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uh, it burns, but just a different color than a non 100%
I got a boars' hair brush from Griots, not the big one for washing the car, but a smaller one for detailing. If the carwash one is as stiff as the small one, I'd be a bit hesitant to use that to wash my paint. (although others seem to like it..)
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Are you positive the swirls weren't there all along?
I agree with Scott; your dealer could've caused those swirls when the car was prepped for delivery. My wife's wagon was covered in them when we got it; I didn't notice it until the next day. One Grand Omega Glaze (equivalent to 3M Imperial Hand Glaze) took care of them, and because I've cared for the finish ever since, they haven't reappeared. So my knee-jerk reaction is that they were probably there when you got the car, and you just didn't notice. Only you know whether that could be true.
I haven't used a boar's hair brush on my cars, but I do shave with one. :-) Hard to believe Griot's would sell a product that scratches so easily, especially when they market it as being 100% safe. The only way to know for sure is to wash, glaze, and wax the car so that it's swirl free, then do a little test on a section of the hood with the brush. I'd be interested to know what that test reveals, since I've been tempted to get one of these brushes! So let us know what you discover.
In any event, I'd wash again, glaze and wax the car (probably no need for clay bar at this point), since you want to get rid of those swirls, whatever the cause was. Good luck.
I haven't used a boar's hair brush on my cars, but I do shave with one. :-) Hard to believe Griot's would sell a product that scratches so easily, especially when they market it as being 100% safe. The only way to know for sure is to wash, glaze, and wax the car so that it's swirl free, then do a little test on a section of the hood with the brush. I'd be interested to know what that test reveals, since I've been tempted to get one of these brushes! So let us know what you discover.
In any event, I'd wash again, glaze and wax the car (probably no need for clay bar at this point), since you want to get rid of those swirls, whatever the cause was. Good luck.
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Re: Are you positive the swirls weren't there all along?
The swirls were probably there before, I think I just looked harder after the first wash. Anyway, the Griots Fine Hand Polish and Best of Show wax worked great on two very light scratches/scuff marks on the back of the vehicle.
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Re: Was there a mitt involved? Called Griots? Don't sweat the swirl marks, but don't do that again.
I didn't use a mitt, but probably should get one. The boars head brush is very soft though. The swirls seem to be more noticable under artificial light vs. direct sunlight.
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The Boar's hair brush is quite soft - softer than any other type of car wash
brush I have seen. I have one (from Griott's) and use it regularly. Quite nice actually - I prefer it to a mitt. I doubt that this is the source of the problem if used properly. You can cause swirl marks with just about anything if you are washing a very dirty car and fail to rinse out your mitt/brush.