Swirls!!!
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
Swirls!!!
I just noticed on my 2019 CVO Street Glide, I am starting to see tiny swirls in the tank, fairing, and other painter parts. They are minor but you can see them. I have always used what I believe to be a good microfiber cloth. Is there anything I can do about the existing swirls? Is it my microfiber cloths causing this? Or is it something else?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,306
Likes: 4,967
From: England
There is many products on the market for "polishing" the clear coat.
I use Scholl products but there is Sonax, Meguiars and Menzerna to name another three.
You can get a hand puck or hand foam pad and a light cut polish that will remove the swirls. Then using panel wipe to remove the oils contained in the polish to see the finished result. After that wax, sealant or even ceramic coating to give protection.
Scholl Concepts White Polishing Foam Hand Puck and Scholl S20 and S30.
A not so good washing and drying technique will cause swirls. Wiping off dust with a dry cloth will do the same.
I use Scholl products but there is Sonax, Meguiars and Menzerna to name another three.
You can get a hand puck or hand foam pad and a light cut polish that will remove the swirls. Then using panel wipe to remove the oils contained in the polish to see the finished result. After that wax, sealant or even ceramic coating to give protection.
Scholl Concepts White Polishing Foam Hand Puck and Scholl S20 and S30.
A not so good washing and drying technique will cause swirls. Wiping off dust with a dry cloth will do the same.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Feb 20, 2022 at 04:32 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,845
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Use two buckets when washing your bike. A wash and a rinse bucket. And use grit guards. I buy inexpensive microfibers but use a new one every time. Or if they are pretty clean I’ll wash and reuse for other things.
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-wash-system.html
I just use 5 gallon Home Depot buckets. Buy Grit guards separately.
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-...RoC9kIQAvD_BwE
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-wash-system.html
I just use 5 gallon Home Depot buckets. Buy Grit guards separately.
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-...RoC9kIQAvD_BwE
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,306
Likes: 4,967
From: England
"Polishing" clear coat is to remove it, sand it down, to a point where the swirls are removed. If you go at it for too long with an aggressive cutting polish you will remove so much that none is left and then you will require a respray.
So you start off with the least aggressive and see if you get the result you want before stepping up the removal rate or cutting rate of the polish just like the grit size of sand paper.
So you start off with the least aggressive and see if you get the result you want before stepping up the removal rate or cutting rate of the polish just like the grit size of sand paper.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 126
From: Reading, PA
swirls are caused by washing and drying. use a good wash mitt, not a sponge, car wash soap, good quality microfiber towels, and don't press hard. I machine polish to get out the swirls, I have not had much success hand polishing.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
The vast majority of the time, I don't wash my bike with soap and water. I mostly just use a microfiber cloth with a light polish like an HD spray bottle or another spray bottle brand called 'Pig Snot'. Is this not a good practice? Could this be causing the swirls? I make sure to always spray the cloth very well with the polish so it is never a dry cloth on the bike.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
"Polishing" clear coat is to remove it, sand it down, to a point where the swirls are removed. If you go at it for too long with an aggressive cutting polish you will remove so much that none is left and then you will require a respray.
So you start off with the least aggressive and see if you get the result you want before stepping up the removal rate or cutting rate of the polish just like the grit size of sand paper.
So you start off with the least aggressive and see if you get the result you want before stepping up the removal rate or cutting rate of the polish just like the grit size of sand paper.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Providence Forge, VA
What do you use to machine polish specifically?
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
Use two buckets when washing your bike. A wash and a rinse bucket. And use grit guards. I buy inexpensive microfibers but use a new one every time. Or if they are pretty clean I’ll wash and reuse for other things.
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-wash-system.html
I just use 5 gallon Home Depot buckets. Buy Grit guards separately.
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-...RoC9kIQAvD_BwE
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-wash-system.html
I just use 5 gallon Home Depot buckets. Buy Grit guards separately.
https://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-...RoC9kIQAvD_BwE
Thanks for that advice. I will definitely start using 2 different buckets with grit guards. What kind of soap do you recommend? I remember someone on this thread said not to use a generic car wash soap.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 337
Likes: 214
From: California
Never use wax on wax off style of cleaning, washing or polishing. Always use a paint the fence style, go with the lines of the piece you are working. Swirls are caused by a swirl motion and will always stand out. Never do any kind of dry wipe unless it's a buff after a wax or detail spray.