Last month, I showed you the steps needed to properly detail your truck by hand. This month, we're stepping up the game and moving to something a little more involved: swirl removal. Before I go any further, I want to state you can remove swirl marks by hand but you better have the hand speed of Bruce Lee and the endurance of Lance Armstrong. Because I posses neither of these traits, I need the assistance of a power tool and the guidance to use it right. This is where the professional steps in to help. Mike Pennington, detailing guru at Meguiar's, has the knowledge and a new tool to get the results.
A dual-action polisher like the one featured here is great for the beginner because these buffers oscillate back and forth while spinning to provide a deeper cleaning while safely removing swirls. Since space is limited I'll keep the opener short, but I will say this: No matter if you're an average Joe or a detail fanatic, Meguiar's new D/A polisher will help you keep your paint looking great.
What's In The Box?
The new G110 dual-action polisher that the professionals at Meguiar's had specifically made for car detailing offers a lot of cool features a gearhead can appreciate like a soft-touch rubberized coating to prevent the polisher from scratching if it happens to come in contact with the paint. It also has an extra-long cord that is angled upward so it sits over your shoulder and stays there. The polisher's one-piece backing plate prevents delamination for longer service life, and its variable-speed dial adjusts the oscillations per minute (opm) for a specific task. Lastly, the ambidextrous D-handle is made for lefthand or righthand use.
Let The Polish Begin!
This polisher would just be something that spins around if not for these sundries. To remove swirl marks, you will need a product that has some cut to it like Meguiar's ScratchX and the proper polishing pad. After the cut is made, the paint will need protection. The company's new Tech Wax 2.0 with a finishing pad is perfect for the job.
1.To begin the whole process, Mike stuck the polishing pad over the one-piece backing plate; it has a hook-and-loop attachment system. He prepped the pad by giving it a light spray with quick detailer before adding some ScratchX. | 
2a.Before starting the polisher, Mike set the pad on the surface, adjusted the dial to 4, and pulled the trigger. Mike worked a 2x2-foot area in a slow, side-to-side motion, overlapping his passes by 50 percent with moderate pressure. When he had fully covered the area with side-to-side, he made another set of passes in an up-and-down motion, effectively covering the whole 2x2 section in a grid pattern. |
2b.Mike states, "Do not tip the polisher up on its edge. Always keep the pad flat against the surface". | |