Jump to content

Paint swirlies

greatmizzou
 Share

Recommended Posts

greatmizzou Enthusiast

greatmizzou

Posted
Posted

I noticed yesterday my paint has swirlies all over.  I washed and waxed it today with the OG turtlewax and it still holds a nice shine.

 

If im not terribly concerned about swirlies and make sure Im not using old towels to dry the truck off again, is there even really any concern if I keep it clean and waxed?

Thankful Enthusiast

Thankful

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

I noticed yesterday my paint has swirlies all over.  I washed and waxed it today with the OG turtlewax and it still holds a nice shine.

 

If im not terribly concerned about swirlies and make sure Im not using old towels to dry the truck off again, is there even really any concern if I keep it clean and waxed?

I'd say after you wash and hand wax it, the swirlies should be gone.  If not, why?  I definitely wouldn't use an electric buffer on it.  For two years, I hand wash mine using only Meguiar's waterless wash and wax and Meguiar's quik wax and after two years there's no swirl marks on it anywhere.

Meguiar's waterless wash and wax.webp

Meguiar's quik wax.webp

greatmizzou Enthusiast

greatmizzou

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I think it was one of my bath towels I used, ive never had a problem before but the paint coat on this 2020 just feels different then the paint on my gmt800.   That truck felt "harder" and had a nicer paint coat.

Silverado4x4 Senior Enthusiast

Silverado4x4

Posted
Posted
47 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

I think it was one of my bath towels I used, ive never had a problem before but the paint coat on this 2020 just feels different then the paint on my gmt800.   That truck felt "harder" and had a nicer paint coat.

Paint on all vehicles is no way near like they were back then as the paint now is all water base at every manufacture, very soft, thin and scratches easy. I use a very soft cotton towel to remove wax. My sisters BMW X7 M60i paint is the same way soft and scratches easy.

Pryme Senior Enthusiast

Pryme

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, Silverado4x4 said:

Paint on all vehicles is no way near like they were back then as the paint now is all water base at every manufacture, very soft, thin and scratches easy. I use a very soft cotton towel to remove wax. My sisters BMW X7 M60i paint is the same way soft and scratches easy.

The wife’s new Corolla wins for easiest to chip paint. It seems like a new chip on the hood daily. Partly due to how low it is I suppose. 

CamGTP Senior Enthusiast

CamGTP

Posted
Posted

A buffer will be required to remove the swirls now. A very light compound on a random orbital speed buffer will do the trick. Using a wax just fills in the swirls until a later time when they appear again.

 

What you are doing isn't harming anything but it will require a buffer to full remove the swirls to start over.

  • Thanks 1
RedLT Enthusiast

RedLT

Posted
Posted

Agreed. It will need to be buffed off with a mechanical buffer of your choice (I use a dual action polisher). For light swirls I use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish, works really well, I even use it by hand with a microfiber towel when I see a few scuffs here and there.  OCD say's not on my watch swirls.  Good luck.

  • Like 1
CT Chevy Connoisseur Enthusiast

CT Chevy Connoisseur

Posted
Posted

swirl marks are almost always the result of improper cleaning and drying techniques.  They come easy nowadays.  One thing for sure, never rub anything on the surface without a lot of lubrication.  Always use clean sponges and clean water to rinse off the sponge, multiple bucket work great.  Never use one of those dusters as it takes next to nothing to have grains of dust create swirls.  I always wash myself by hand and never go thru a non-touchless auto wash.  High quality drying towels are helpful too.  As with everything you get what you pay for.

Michael621 Enthusiast

Michael621

Posted
Posted

The past 10 years, I have added a good quality ceramic coating to my truck purchases and have it done before driving off the lot. Especially with the black trail boss, and the dark grey AT4. Even had the current white one done, basically for easy maintenance. Haven't been pestered with swirl marks since doing that. Although, I have traded in/upgraded a lot but that will need to come to an end if I ever want to retire!

nards444 Senior Enthusiast

nards444

Posted
Posted (edited)

If you have swirles all over its probably from a few things.

 

1. The dealer washed it and the 10 buck an hour kid scratched it all over.  happens all the time.  I dont let them prep the outside of the truck

 

2.  You have scratched it washing or taken it to brush a car wash

 

The paint is very thin and crappy these days and easily scratches.   With that said a good detailer can take it out.  What I do is immediately ceramic coat my vehicles within a week of ownership.  Puts a hard layer over the paint,  second part is I dont have to wax it for 3-5 years depending on the brand

 

Edited by nards444

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,760
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    MASONV88888888
    Newest Member
    MASONV88888888
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 1,612 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Coastie05
      Replacing 2.7L on 2021 Silverado with 2023 2.7L

      By Coastie05 · Posted

      I’m definitely interested to hear the end result here. 
    • MASONV88888888
      Another 6.2L engine failure!

      By MASONV88888888 · Posted

      My 2025 Silverado 1500 had to receive a brand-new engine (long block) under warranty last month at only around 16,500 miles. Before the replacement, the truck repeatedly displayed "Engine Oil Level Low" warnings, even though the Oil Life Monitor still showed around 50% remaining after about 6,000 miles since my last oil change. After seeing the warning several times, I checked the dipstick with the engine cold, and the oil level was completely normal. The next day, the message escalated to "Add Engine Oil." At first, I assumed it was just a faulty oil level sensor, so I brought the truck to the dealership. After inspecting the engine, they found internal cylinder wall scoring and ultimately replaced the entire long block under warranty. Before this happened, I was planning to install a 4-inch lift and suspension upgrade on my truck. After needing a new engine at just 16,500 miles, I honestly don't see the point anymore. I also contacted GM to ask whether my vehicle qualified for a buyback, but I was informed that it does not at this time. Anyway, this experience has left me with serious concerns about the long-term reliability of this engine. I sincerely hope NHTSA expands the current investigation or recall to include 2025 model and performs a thorough inspection of affected vehicles. My biggest concern is that these engines may fail shortly after the powertrain warranty expires. If GM truly stands behind this engine, then at the very least, please consider extending the powertrain warranty to 10 years for affected owners. That would go a long way toward restoring customer confidence.
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Without exception but then I'm the odd duck, right? I know what goes into that test, how it is calculated and thus how to beat it. But EPA values are often not beaten by the general public and the government has in past years adjusted the means and methods to come to those values to more closely approximate "Joe Average".    The only real trick to beating that EPA average is don't drive like "Joe Average".    It's the same method you used to profit from "Economic Migration" and in doing so beat the 'stats'. But you, like me, are not "Joe Average".     The thing you don't seem to grasp is this "Purchasing Power Index" isn't forward looking. It doesn't predict what it going to be but looks backward and states what it was. They are not telling us what the THINK, they are telling us what they MEASURED. Example:    Wife says "I'm going to lose 40 pounds by Christmas". May she does, maybe she doesn't but the doctors office who weighed her when she made that statement and again at Christmas only REPORTS what the RESULT was. You and I can banter about what was possible and what aunt Tilly did till the cows come home but the result is the result. Arguing otherwise is.....irrational. That's all I'm saying. This isn't about:      What you are calling a 'Statistic' is a RESULT not a CALCUATION and as a result the RULE. Like gravity as a rule, it can not be broken. 
    • MASONV88888888
      Rattle in the rear!

      By MASONV88888888 · Posted

      Just wanted to say thank you for posting this. Years later, your thread is still helping Silverado owners.   I bought my 2025 Silverado 1500 in January 2025, and I've had what feels like the exact same rattle since day one. After reading your findings, I believe my truck has the same issue with the cable carrier contacting the rear sliding window. To be honest, I had pretty much given up on pursuing the issue. It wasn't until I recently drove another brand's pickup that I realized just how quiet their cabin was—and how noisy mine has been all along. On my truck, the rattle happens on almost any paved road, gets even worse on rougher pavement, and I can even hear it during braking and acceleration.   I actually referenced your thread when submitting my case to GM, hoping they'll recognize this as a recurring issue instead of treating it as an isolated incident. The reason I reached out to GM first is because my dealership told me they would need to keep the truck for at least two days just to diagnose the problem. I was concerned that even after two days, they still might not be able to identify the source of the rattle before giving the truck back to me. I had also asked a few dealerships about this issue during previous service visits, but none of them seemed to know what was causing it or had a solution. That's why I decided to contact GM directly first, hoping they might already have an official repair procedure or guidance for this issue.   I also hope GM eventually comes up with an official fix for this problem. I have a feeling there are many Silverado owners experiencing the same rattle, but most either choose to live with it or simply don't know what the cause is.   Really appreciate you taking the time to document your diagnosis. Your post is still making a difference years later.
    • Buckwild27
      Gas Prices

      By Buckwild27 · Posted

      I have 2 choices. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...