Swirl marks, the fine circular scratches you see in sunlight, are mostly caused by dragging grit across the paint while washing and drying. A gentle routine prevents most of them.
You will need
- Two buckets, ideally with a grit guard in each
- A pH-neutral car shampoo
- A soft wash mitt (microfibre or lambswool), plus a separate brush or mitt for the wheels
- Two or three large, clean microfibre drying towels
Step by step
- Work in the shade on cool paint, so the shampoo does not dry on the surface.
- Clean the wheels first with their own brush and bucket of water, so brake and road grime never touch the paint mitt.
- Rinse the whole car from top to bottom to remove loose dirt. A pre-wash snow foam helps if you have a foam lance.
- Fill one bucket with shampoo and one with clean water. Wash one panel at a time, starting at the roof, in straight lines.
- Rinse the mitt in the clean-water bucket before loading it with shampoo again. This keeps grit out of your wash water.
- Rinse again and dry straight away by laying a towel on the panel and patting or gently pulling it, rather than rubbing hard.
Habits to avoid
- Washing-up liquid: it is not made for car paint and can strip wax and sealant.
- Dropping the mitt on the ground and carrying on. Swap it for a clean one.
- Old bath towels or chamois that have collected grit.
If the paint already shows swirls, a machine polish by a detailer can reduce them. After that, a gentle wash routine keeps the finish looking its best.