How To Remove The Car Swirl Marks? Compounding?

What is Car Swirl Marks?

Swirl Marks or “swirls” are those Nasty circular lines or micro-scratches that Show up in bright sunlight on vehicles paint and clear-coat, usually caused by Improper washing and Drying techniques but also can be from "detailer" neglect.

Typically these swirl-marks add up over time from Automatic Car Washes. In the shade, the vehicle shows a lack of gloss and almost a hazy finish. To highlight this damage, you can use bright sunlight or gas station lights at night. Here, I am using a 500 watt halogen work light.

There are a number of swirl removal products available. Some are basically polishes that work by dulling the edges of the scratches; this might not remove the scratches entirely but it can help out the situation considerably. 

Others work as fillers, placing material in the scratch so that they effectively disappear. Wax and glazes perform a similar function. If you are not satisfied with the results of your swirl remover treatment, consult a detailing professional.

The key to removing these horrendous looking marks is a multi-step process of compounding, polishing, and finishing with various foam and wool pads using a rotary, dual action, or direct-drive dual action polisher. Unfortunately, some marks are so deep that removing them would reduce the life of the paint too much. This ultimately becomes a trade-off and the use of a paint thickness gauge will help keep the process safe. Believe it or not, the paint you see here has moderate swirl marks.



Not only are the swirl-marks, holograms, and light scratches removed, the paint is Noticeably richer in color, wetter looking, and far more reflective. With the addition of a polymer paint sealant, the surface feels very slick and smooth to the touch. This virtually frictionless surface will provide the owner with a much easier vehicle to wash and dry, drastically reduced swirl-mark accumulation, and a stunning appearance.

Side By Side

Here is a side-by-side comparison of severe swirl marks, marring, and scouring marks on the passenger side, and a compounded and polished surface on the right. I used painter's tape to mark the razor sharp line down the center.

Notice on the damaged side-the dull, cloudy, and hazy appearance of what years of neglect will do. The compounded and polished driver's side has a notable improvement in clarity, depth, gloss, and wetness.

The improvement is drastic and shows what proper products, processes, and patience can do to improve a vehicle's appearance.