[mitch88]

I have read that when applying the polish you are not supposed to rub in a circular motion but rather a back and forth motion to prevent swirl marks. Once the polish has hazed is it ok to buff off in a circular motion?
Thank you

[nikegunit]

umm buffing circular or back and forth shouldnt cause swirls either way. its not like the clear coat is layed down in straight lines. the coat is a thin connected matric, buffing with polish is to rid the paint of swirls, not create them.

when applying wax(not polish), most manufactures state to work in a circular motion, im guessing polish should work the same way.

[pander5]

The advice of linear motions whenever applying or removing any product (even wash) is that IF you pick up any grit or particles that may cause marring it will leave a tiny scratch in a straight line. When light catches these lines they will not reflect back to you in a 360 degree circle and are only visible from specific angles. Circular motions will leave almost full circles and concentric rings and are reflected back from almost every angle. Spider web type marring were created from rubbing something in many different directions. Next time you look at swirls in direct sun walk around the car and you can see the same circle from every angle.

When I inpsect my car's paint I will eventually, over say 3-6 months, see very small lines in the directions I've washed i.e. front to back from the front bumper to rear bumper and up and down on the side panels.

Swirls are inevitable IMO and straight line movements simply keep them slightly hidden.

[Ninjaneer]

Originally Posted by pander5

The advice of linear motions whenever applying or removing any product (even wash) is that IF you pick up any grit or particles that may cause marring it will leave a tiny scratch in a straight line. When light catches these lines they will not reflect back to you in a 360 degree circle and are only visible from specific angles. Circular motions will leave almost full circles and concentric rings and are reflected back from almost every angle. Spider web type marring were created from rubbing something in many different directions. Next time you look at swirls in direct sun walk around the car and you can see the same circle from every angle.

When I inpsect my car's paint I will eventually, over say 3-6 months, see very small lines in the directions I've washed i.e. front to back from the front bumper to rear bumper and up and down on the side panels.

Swirls are inevitable IMO and straight line movements simply keep them slightly hidden.

Now I don't feel too bad about the slight straight line scratches I've seen. Thankfully no spider webs from what I've noticed on my ride. Lately when I'm in traffic at night and my lights shine on the bumper of the car in front of me I tend to find myself inspecting it for swirls and hoping my bumper doesn't look that bad with light shining on it!

[mitch88]

To be more specific, I am referring to what zaino says about applying there sealant (Z2pro). They say when applying to use linear motions not circular, which I perfectly understand. Zaino never says anything about buffing off the Z2 pro whether to use linear motions again or if you should use circular motions. So what motions should I use?

[OC Guy]

The same motions you use for application will work just fine.

[pander5]

Linear motions are recommended whether you are applying product or removing it. Again, the chance of marring your finish with a small piece of something caught in your towel is there whenever you make a "friction" pass with anything on your paint. I think Sal simply omitted that from the product removal advice.

[MonacoBimm]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

Lately when I'm in traffic at night and my lights shine on the bumper of the car in front of me I tend to find myself inspecting it for swirls and hoping my bumper doesn't look that bad with light shining on it!

Hahahaha I do that every single time! Especially with black cars!

[canucklion]

+1

AFAIK (correct me if I'm wrong Picus), straight line application is nothing magical or special, it's just what pander said, to better high the marrings if you do pick up contaminants on your application apd when buffing your car.

And yes, swirls are inevitable, even if you're very careful with how you wash/wax your car, there are so much $h!t in the environment that can potentially marr/scar your paint

Originally Posted by pander5

Swirls are inevitable IMO and straight line movements simply keep them slightly hidden.