Swirls can be visually hid by polishing the surface with a mild polish. This rounds off the top edge of the swirl, robbing sunlight of a sharp edge to cause a reflection. When you buff off the polishing residues, fillers will stay in the depressions. Finish by applying your favorite wax or paint sealant. This will hold the fillers in place, cosmetically hiding swirls and minor paint blemishes. Polishing also restores surface gloss and prepares the surface for waxing. This procedure does not remove the swirl. Swirls may be visible in certain light conditions (fluorescent lamps are ruthlessly revealing) and will reappear as the wax ages. That said, most people will look at your car and think it's flawless.
Before polishing, it's a good idea to check for paint contamination. This is easily done by placing your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag and running your fingertips over the surface. If the paint is rough or gritty, consider using a clay bar before trying to remove swirls.This step is optional but worth the extra effort. Hand polishing will not remove rough, gritty paint contamination. If your car's paint surface is smooth, proceed with polishing.
A mild polish such as SwirlX, Meguiar's No.9 Swirl Remover or 3M Perfect-It Swirl Remover. A Microfiber or form Applicator Pad. A Microfiber Towel. Your favorite wax or paint sealant.
Work on a 16 to 20 square inch area, out of direct sunlight.
Apply your polish to a Microfiber or Foam Applicator Pad or directly on the paint. This is a personal preference. If applying polish to the applicator pad, I use a liberal, Quarter-size amount of product. If applying to the paint, I apply a couple of 6-8 inch long lines of polish.
Using moderate to firm pressure, work the polish over the paint using back-and-forth motions. Polish in a side-to-side motion and then in an up-and-down motion until the polish is almost dry.
Wipe off polish residues using a clean Microfiber Towel.
Continue working in 16 to 20 square inch areas until the complete panel or vehicle is polished.
Follow immediately with your favorite wax or paint sealant to protect and seal the finish.
