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Knowledge Center

Swirl Removing
To remove a defect from the paint surface, you must remove the very thin layer of paint that contains the defect by spending enough time with a compound or polish. By removing this thin layer of paint, you actually remove the defect. See 3M Illustration 1.









Some scratches, acid rain pits, or other more severe defects may not be able to be removed completely. If a defect goes too deep into the clear coat, sanding to the bottom of the defect may result in inadequate clear coat thickness, or may even require a repaint. See 3M Illustration 2. Generally speaking, if you can feel a scratch with your fingernail, you should not attempt to remove it completely. However, even without sanding, many deep scratches or other more severe defects that are compounded, polished and waxed will be less noticeable.










Here is a list of problems that can be fixed or improved through abrasive polishing:

• Fine Scratches - Surface abrasions that do not extend past the first 25% of top coat material can be fully repaired by polishing.  Deeper scratches can be improved as long as they do not fully penetrate the color coat into the primer.
• Scuffs and rub marks - Scuffs are broad, shallow surface abrasions that are easily repaired by polishing.  Rub marks are commonly caused by shoe heels (getting in and out of the car) or the bumpers of other cars.  The rub mark is generally a transfer of rubber or other vinyl material to the paint surface.  Rub marks are easily removed by compounding and polishing.
• Micro marring - Micro marring, also known as swirl marks and spider webbing, means very small scratches in the paint's surface.  Micro marring is created by machine compounding and in everyday use and maintenance of the vehicle.  Micro marring is easily removed by compounding and polishing.
• Etching - Paint etching is a common problem caused by hard water (tap water) or acidic water (acid rain).  Bird droppings are another common cause of paint etching.  Depending on the severity of the etching, polishing will repair or lessen the appearance of etched spots.
• Orange peel - When a car is painted, the paint is applied at a consistency and thickness that allows the paint to flow (briefly) and level.  If the paint is applied too heavily, sags and runs will result.  If applied too thinly, the paint does not properly flow and level, causing an uneven surface called orange peel.  If the orange peel is not severe, abrasives can be used to level and glaze the finish to match the rest of the vehicle.