swirl marks?

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Apr 13, 2007 | 03:28 AM

saltlick

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Road Warrior

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swirl marks?

i have one big thumb sized mark on my tank, almost looks like a thumb print of oil but you cant rub or clean it off. Just a round spot where the paint is dull, i dont know much about paint jobs, i do have a new 6" riobi buffer with the wool ect. What is this? a swirl mark? is this something that can be buffed out? I never really knew what a swirl mark was, there is alot of fine scratchs on my tank, and if you look at it in the sun you can see all kinds of figure 8 kinda light scrates in the paint, not deep scratches where the paint came off, just i dont know swirly scratch things. I know that sounds dumb. What product do you guys recommend to get that out with? Do i use the electric buffer? someone bought it for me along time ago but ive never used one. I dont want to screw my tank up by not using it right, any tips?

Apr 13, 2007 | 04:10 AM

GothMetalGuitarist

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Joined: Jul 2006

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From:

RE: swirl marks?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: saltlick

i have one big thumb sized mark on my tank, almost looks like a thumb print of oil but you cant rub or clean it off. Just a round spot where the paint is dull, i dont know much about paint jobs, i do have a new 6" riobi buffer with the wool ect. What is this? a swirl mark? is this something that can be buffed out? I never really knew what a swirl mark was, there is alot of fine scratchs on my tank, and if you look at it in the sun you can see all kinds of figure 8 kinda light scrates in the paint, not deep scratches where the paint came off, just i dont know swirly scratch things. I know that sounds dumb. What product do you guys recommend to get that out with? Do i use the electric buffer? someone bought it for me along time ago but ive never used one. I dont want to screw my tank up by not using it right, any tips?

Sounds to me like you got gas on your hands and touched your tank when it was warm or hot from the sun. Those are tough to get out. You can get some buffing compound and go at it but I would take it to someone with some experience. Being a guitar tech I have done this type of fix myself quite a bit but would not recommend it unless you know what you are doing.

For the 8 scratches...those would be swirlies. Usually from contaminated cleaning clothes. Small abrasive particles embedded in the cloth you use for cleaning. Microfibre clothes are noted for this and contaminate very easily. Drop one on a dirty fender or pick up some dried mud with a microfibre and hit your tank or fender with it and its going to scratch... I used to use these but have gone to cotton shop towels now. To remove the light scratches try Meguires ScratchX. Then hit it with Meguires Gold Class wax. It takes some elbow grease but it does a nice job.

Apr 13, 2007 | 09:07 AM

balley

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2006

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RE: swirl marks?

I agree, some buffing compound (Be careful). If you dont feel comfortable doing it, take it to a professional. If that does not work, take it to a paint and body shop, see if they can color sand and buff it out.

Apr 13, 2007 | 10:03 AM

cmas06

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: tidewater

RE: swirl marks?

I use some stuff from 3M its called micro finishing compound works great, u get it at a bost store for polishing boats, corian actualy recemonds it for polishing solid surfac countertops

Apr 13, 2007 | 10:30 AM

xxxflhrci

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

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RE: swirl marks?

Before getting carried away with a buffer and compound and screwing up, give it a go with something more gently by hand.

Meguiar's Scratch X or GS27 work well. You can get either at Walmart.

http://www.meguiars.com/?auto-paint-cleaners/ScratchX
http://www.improvementscatalog.com/h...h-remover.html

Apr 13, 2007 | 05:12 PM

britbiker

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2006

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RE: swirl marks?

I can't believe you guys don't have T-Cut over there! It's a scratch remover & so easy a five year old could use it. It's a mildly abrasive liquid which you apply with a clean rag &rub the scratch/dull area, then buff to a shine. It will remove deep scratches (providing that they are not down to the undercoat) & restore a shine like new. Not available in the States? Try ebay.co.uk & just enter T-Cut, its about 8 bucks. I had a tool roll mounted on the triple tree & after about two months with the forks compressing on rough roads and the tool roll hitting itmy front fender wasbadly scratched/marked - 5 mins with T-Cut brought it back like new.

Apr 13, 2007 | 05:15 PM

GothMetalGuitarist

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From:

RE: swirl marks?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: britbiker

I can't believe you guys don't have T-Cut over there! It's a scratch remover & so easy a five year old could use it. It's a mildly abrasive liquid which you apply with a clean rag &rub the scratch/dull area, then buff to a shine. It will remove deep scratches (providing that they are not down to the undercoat) & restore a shine like new. Not available in the States? Try ebay.co.uk & just enter T-Cut, its about 8 bucks. I had a tool roll mounted on the triple tree & after about two months with the forks compressing on rough roads and the tool roll hitting itmy front fender wasbadly scratched/marked - 5 mins with T-Cut brought it back like new.

Thanks for the great tip Brit, I will definitely check it out.