Swirl marks galore on glossy B-Pillar trim. Best way to get out?
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Swirl marks galore on glossy B-Pillar trim. Best way to get out?
Well, this might be a rhetorical question, as I've already done my plan of attack to remove the swirls, and any more abrasives on the trim and I might start doing more harm than good.
I don't know how it happened, as I'm COMPLETELY **** about keeping those gloss-black B Pillars super clean. Always wiping off passengers fingerprints, etc. Somehow all of a sudden, when seen in super hard and low (before Sunset) sunlight, it's swirls galore. Made me gag.
So I got Meguiars "Scratch X" and used it. Seems to have helped for sure, although I couldn't see it in perfect sunlight by the time I was done. I can live with "natural swirls" on black, but the excessiveness just hurts.
Anyone have similar issues? My car is White, so the rest of it having swirls is almost irrelevant, as you can't see it.... but that gloss black trim dammit!
I don't know how it happened, as I'm COMPLETELY **** about keeping those gloss-black B Pillars super clean. Always wiping off passengers fingerprints, etc. Somehow all of a sudden, when seen in super hard and low (before Sunset) sunlight, it's swirls galore. Made me gag.
So I got Meguiars "Scratch X" and used it. Seems to have helped for sure, although I couldn't see it in perfect sunlight by the time I was done. I can live with "natural swirls" on black, but the excessiveness just hurts.
Anyone have similar issues? My car is White, so the rest of it having swirls is almost irrelevant, as you can't see it.... but that gloss black trim dammit!
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Ahhhh, once again this is why I should ask the Forums first, then act. 
Oh well, done already. I definitely don't think it made it any worse, and it seemed to improve it for sure, hopefully it's actually in a correction and not a "masking".... however, seeing as to how it's Scratch X, I'm sure it's meant to remove, not cover up, scratches.
I didn't get any pigment transfer, and M-B is known to have probably the hardest clear coat on the market, so I guess I just instilled trust in them keeping all clear coated areas of the car durable enough to get relatively aggressive on. I did notice some black spots appearing on the towel when I accidentally got some on the small rubber pieces surrounding the gloss black trim.... I though it was dirt, but maybe it was some color bleeding from the rubber. I don't really care about that though as the rubber is practically non-existant.
Worst case scenario, if the swirls still exist enough to bug me, maybe I'll wrap the B-Pillar trim. Though, not sure what I'd wrap it with.... I definitely won't do matte (would look cheap), and gloss wrap would be regressive from the OEM gloss black, therefore CF wrap? Although the look did exist on the W210 E55 and looked good, I can't imagine how it wouldn't look ill-fit and bad/cheap/tacky on my car.
Oh well, done already. I definitely don't think it made it any worse, and it seemed to improve it for sure, hopefully it's actually in a correction and not a "masking".... however, seeing as to how it's Scratch X, I'm sure it's meant to remove, not cover up, scratches.
I didn't get any pigment transfer, and M-B is known to have probably the hardest clear coat on the market, so I guess I just instilled trust in them keeping all clear coated areas of the car durable enough to get relatively aggressive on. I did notice some black spots appearing on the towel when I accidentally got some on the small rubber pieces surrounding the gloss black trim.... I though it was dirt, but maybe it was some color bleeding from the rubber. I don't really care about that though as the rubber is practically non-existant.
Worst case scenario, if the swirls still exist enough to bug me, maybe I'll wrap the B-Pillar trim. Though, not sure what I'd wrap it with.... I definitely won't do matte (would look cheap), and gloss wrap would be regressive from the OEM gloss black, therefore CF wrap? Although the look did exist on the W210 E55 and looked good, I can't imagine how it wouldn't look ill-fit and bad/cheap/tacky on my car.
Last edited by K-A; Jan 5, 2012 at 02:19 AM.
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Now I had some swirls before on my CLS pillars, and I cleaned them using Meg's cleaner wax with a light cut buffer on my Porter cable. It came out very good, I just used VERY LIGHT pressure, MB has ceramic paint on them, but I am still careful with certain areas.
Now I would never use my Meg 205, or Menzerna that's too risky. I freak out with swirls too.
Now I would never use my Meg 205, or Menzerna that's too risky. I freak out with swirls too.
Last edited by bigben320e; Jan 5, 2012 at 02:41 AM.
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Damn, I wish I was handy with a buffer. I should have just waited and gave the car to a professional, but I figure if I decide to keep it for a while, I'll probably get a full Paint-Correction done and go from there.
Yeah, I tried Cleaner Wax, which is my favorite product to use when trying to fix blemishes, as it's not too abrasive (I really hate abrasives on my paint, and I try and protect the paint from not ever needing such abrasives), but without the buffer and using my hands, it just wasn't helping. It got out some of the larger swirls, but started to marr the paint on its own. This seems to have done a better job, but I doubt those B-Pillars have enough clear on them to get away with using extensive abrasives without it starting to harm the finish.
Yeah, I tried Cleaner Wax, which is my favorite product to use when trying to fix blemishes, as it's not too abrasive (I really hate abrasives on my paint, and I try and protect the paint from not ever needing such abrasives), but without the buffer and using my hands, it just wasn't helping. It got out some of the larger swirls, but started to marr the paint on its own. This seems to have done a better job, but I doubt those B-Pillars have enough clear on them to get away with using extensive abrasives without it starting to harm the finish.
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E350 BT
Scratch X is garbage. It's a plastic, and would just need a light polish with a 3" RO, fully taped off as that rubber won't like the polish. I think something like Menzerna Final Polish II is very light and diminishes fast with a RO.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
When my car was brand new, the dealer had some scraping on the B pillar (long scratches). I used Scratch-X and it looked fine...until I saw it at specific angles in the sun and under a strong LED flashlight...microswirls galore...Make sure you follow up with a nice wax to fill in the micro marring or use Menzerna PO-85rd or something like that to eliminate some of the micro marring.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Thanks. I rubbed some Carnuba Wax over it afterward. I'm gonna take a good look at it under the sun again today and see how it looks. If it's still noticeably swirled I might just have to give up. Going into more abrasives on that soft surface might just start doing more harm than good.
This is another thing I'm using to convince myself to just get the new 6-Series next, as it has no B-Pillar posts.
BTW, did the Wax help with the microswirls? I've never found wax to bee too great at hiding swirls. Maybe I should have used a Cleaner Wax after the Scratch X, although again, thought it might be too many abrasives on that plastic.
I hate to say it, but I'll live with microswirls under harsh/low specific sun angles and strong LED's, I just want that sandpaper-streak look under more widespread lights gone.
This is another thing I'm using to convince myself to just get the new 6-Series next, as it has no B-Pillar posts.
When my car was brand new, the dealer had some scraping on the B pillar (long scratches). I used Scratch-X and it looked fine...until I saw it at specific angles in the sun and under a strong LED flashlight...microswirls galore...Make sure you follow up with a nice wax to fill in the micro marring or use Menzerna PO-85rd or something like that to eliminate some of the micro marring.
I hate to say it, but I'll live with microswirls under harsh/low specific sun angles and strong LED's, I just want that sandpaper-streak look under more widespread lights gone.
Last edited by K-A; Jan 5, 2012 at 01:06 PM.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
I know what you're talking about with the wax; it seems like it doesn't fill in anything, but trust me, on a black car, the wax I use, the spray on Meguiar's ultimate wax, makes the micro marring unnoticeable! Wax only really works for fine swirls, such as those made by diminishing abrasives, like those found in Scratch X. I don't have a buffer, so thats probably why I have the micro marring, but wax makes a noticeable difference. On bigger marks (like bird nails;a bird perched on my side view mirror at a light and scratched the s**t out of my side view mirror lol), the wax doesn't help.
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Thanks. I just looked at mine at the time I know I can usually only notice the swirls (hard, before-set sunlight), and it's not as harsh, but now it has a "smoother" kind of "hologram" swirled look. Design attribute? 
I'm sure a professional can get rid of it in no time, but now that I've used some harsh abrasive on it, I wonder how much more it can go until the finish gets compromised.
Ehh, I give up. I must have scratched the POS pillars up when something was caught on my towel. I mean, I can only see the microswirls in very distinct lighting, i.e direct sun, not just sun, but sun low and shining right onto the pillars. They don't even show up under fluorescent or LED lighting, which is interesting.
What do you guys think about wrapping the B-Pillars in 3M CF wrap (matte texture but with the 3D CF weaves)? Would it look just slightly stupid or completely stupid?
I'm sure a professional can get rid of it in no time, but now that I've used some harsh abrasive on it, I wonder how much more it can go until the finish gets compromised.Ehh, I give up. I must have scratched the POS pillars up when something was caught on my towel. I mean, I can only see the microswirls in very distinct lighting, i.e direct sun, not just sun, but sun low and shining right onto the pillars. They don't even show up under fluorescent or LED lighting, which is interesting.
What do you guys think about wrapping the B-Pillars in 3M CF wrap (matte texture but with the 3D CF weaves)? Would it look just slightly stupid or completely stupid?
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yeah, the led needs to be at a certain angle to see the hologram; until you get a full detail, it doesn't make much sense to spend the time and energy on a pillar lol just cover it up with some wax for now (even on the meguiars website, it recommends following scratch x with a wax); cf would look dumb
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Yeah, I put some wax over it, but it wasn't the best wax I have (some 3 year old Mother's that's been sitting in my trunk, lol).
Oh well, yeah, I'm probably just obsessing over it. I've always been REALLY **** and paranoid about those pillars, like I keep them SUPER clean. This is obviously the reason why they got "damaged" so early on in the cars life, lol. It's like a new pair of shoes.... if you give too much a damn, they'll get stepped when you first get them. Once they're beat up and you don't care anymore, nobody touches them.
Oh well, yeah, I'm probably just obsessing over it. I've always been REALLY **** and paranoid about those pillars, like I keep them SUPER clean. This is obviously the reason why they got "damaged" so early on in the cars life, lol. It's like a new pair of shoes.... if you give too much a damn, they'll get stepped when you first get them. Once they're beat up and you don't care anymore, nobody touches them.
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2016 GL63 AMG, 2012 E550 4 matic
KA,
This might be your chance to research and invest in some detailing supplies. You absolutely can get those swirls marks out. Every one.. Once you know what you are doing, you can get all your paint finessed to BETTER THAN SHOWROOM NEW. You have to be ready to part with some $ though. Its not cheap to get started. PM me if you want any recommendations.
This might be your chance to research and invest in some detailing supplies. You absolutely can get those swirls marks out. Every one.. Once you know what you are doing, you can get all your paint finessed to BETTER THAN SHOWROOM NEW. You have to be ready to part with some $ though. Its not cheap to get started. PM me if you want any recommendations.
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Thanks Enzo, will do. I have a bunch of products, but nothing fancier than good/reputable items you can get at Pep Boys for the most part. If it truly bothers me that much, I'll definitely PM you. I'm thinking that as good as I am at taking care of the simpler defects my paint might endure, getting out heavy swirls is not my strongest suit. I'm afraid I might do more damage than good.
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Once clean, you can do what dealerships do and pour glaze on the B pillars. The glaze will hide the swirls and lasts for a handful of car washes.
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"Glaze" means Wax right? I don't know why, but Wax on its own doesn't seem to hide blemishes like these (heavier swirls) for me.
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I bought Menzerna Glaze and to my surprise, it doesn't cover much at all...my Meguiar's Quik Ultimate Wax covers more micro-swirls than glaze! Not to mention that liquid glaze leaves streaking if you put on too much; K-A, Glaze is for looks, and wax is for looks and protection
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Ah, good to know. Well I guess I'll put on my Cleaner Wax next time, and see if that does any different.
Somebody told me that I should have used a Compount, THEN the Scratch X. I dunno man, that just sounds like too many abrasives for such a soft spot. Already people were saying in that Thread that BigBen linked that Scratch X itself may be too abrasive for some B-Pillar plastics.
Somebody told me that I should have used a Compount, THEN the Scratch X. I dunno man, that just sounds like too many abrasives for such a soft spot. Already people were saying in that Thread that BigBen linked that Scratch X itself may be too abrasive for some B-Pillar plastics.
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Ah, good to know. Well I guess I'll put on my Cleaner Wax next time, and see if that does any different.
Somebody told me that I should have used a Compount, THEN the Scratch X. I dunno man, that just sounds like too many abrasives for such a soft spot. Already people were saying in that Thread that BigBen linked that Scratch X itself may be too abrasive for some B-Pillar plastics.
Somebody told me that I should have used a Compount, THEN the Scratch X. I dunno man, that just sounds like too many abrasives for such a soft spot. Already people were saying in that Thread that BigBen linked that Scratch X itself may be too abrasive for some B-Pillar plastics.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yeah, the matte B-Pillars look nasty and cheap. I love the gloss look, especially with dark Tinted windows, but I've just learned how it can get bad, if it "gets bad". Oh well. I mean, most cars look like sh*t with heavy/low beaming sun directly on them (swirls exposed). I should just focus on the 95% of the other times, lol.
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So just an update. I checked it in sunlight today and it seems like it's not so much swirly as it is "hazy". I.e the swirls aren't as harsh, but it just seems streakier than before, after the Scratch X. It's a big improvement from before, but it looks like some of the luster is gone, i.e like the color has slightly faded (is that even possible?).
In other lighting it looks super black/lacquer-y, just not in direct sun.
One reason why I never liked Scratch-removal products is that I always found that they slightly haze the color up in order to remove the scratches. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?
Who knew such a little area could drive someone so crazy.
In other lighting it looks super black/lacquer-y, just not in direct sun.
One reason why I never liked Scratch-removal products is that I always found that they slightly haze the color up in order to remove the scratches. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?
Who knew such a little area could drive someone so crazy.
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E350 Coupe
The reason that you are seeing the hazing is that Scratch-X is fairly abrasive (By the way what did you use to apply the Scratch-X?) Polishing the paint is a multi step project. Removing paint swirls and scratches/blemishes can require as many as five different compounds/polishes each applied with a pad of diminishing cutting properties until you end up with a final polish with almost no abrasive properties and a black or red polishing pad which also has no abrasive properties. Your mistake was starting out with a product that although not highly abrasive was a little too much. The key is to always start in the other direction beginning with the least abrasive product and corresponding pad that you feel will do the job and if that doesn't work then go with the next more abrasive combo until you remove the defects. Then back the other way being gentler until the paint is highly polished. You now need to polish out the haze with a gentler polish and a foam application pad. I use Menzerna polishes so I'm not sure what's available at an Autozone etc. Just pay attention to the abrasive levels. People who enjoy detailing (and own two black cars like myself) have cupboards full of products/pads. Always searching for that do everything product. In the end there are no shortcuts.
Last edited by steelgrey; Jan 6, 2012 at 09:54 PM.
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2016 GL63 AMG, 2012 E550 4 matic
The reason that you are seeing the hazing is that Scratch-X is fairly abrasive (By the way what did you use to apply the Scratch-X?) Polishing the paint is a multi step project. Removing paint swirls and scratches/blemishes can require as many as five different compounds/polishes each applied with a pad of diminishing cutting properties until you end up with a final polish with almost no abrasive properties and a black or red polishing pad which also has no abrasive properties. Your mistake was starting out with a product that although not highly abrasive was a little too much. The key is to always start in the other direction beginning with the least abrasive product and corresponding pad that you feel will do the job and if that doesn't work then go with the next more abrasive combo until you remove the defects. Then back the other way being gentler until the paint is highly polished. You now need to polish out the haze with a gentler polish and a foam application pad. I use Menzerna polishes so I'm not sure what's available at an Autozone etc. Just pay attention to the abrasive levels. People who enjoy detailing (and own two black cars like myself) have cupboards full of products/pads. Always searching for that do everything product. In the end there are no shortcuts.
