Synthetic vs. 100% terry cloth

[limoncello]

HELP! Just had my car in the noonday sun - swirls! Very light, fine swirls, but they're there. Couldn't see them in the garage with flourescent lights. Here's the kicker - they're not from MF or terry! They can only be from last week's application of Meguiars Clear Coat Liquid Car Wax using the brand new supplied sponge applicator in accordance with the directions! The swirls don't match my washing, drying or buffing movements. The Meguiars Liquid is my first use of the product - contents and applicator were new.
I have just purchased the CP and Edge sponge applicators, but now I'm almost afraid to use them. Where do I go from here?
Things I have on hand - Meg's paint cleaner and carnuba wax, and the Liquid car wax. I have clay but the surface is clean & smooth: just swirls.

[TECH986ART]

Limoncello: I feel for you! Same situation here.... I am scared to wax my car again. I used Maguire's Cleaner, polisher, and NXT wax, I have more swirls then previous..... on man.... can't sleep, do I have to dish out $200-$300 for a pro job??

Don't get me wrong... the car looked amazing after the precess.... just wash my car today, all swirls showed up.... I thought my car was swirl free since.... it was all an illusion.....

[Perfectlap]

if you only used the sponge and it produced swirls, I have to ask:
Did you clay before applying the wax?

There are often tiny microscopic sediments,silicas,metal dust,etc. that become embeded into the clear coat surface and will only uhook themselves unless you rub on the paint. If this done while the surface is dry (like when waxing) you will swril the paint. Light rubbing with a wash mit or sponge won't remove these sediments.

I'm a paranoid detailer. Under no circumstances do I apply waxes and polishes
without first doing a quick clay AND wash. I think its very important to cleanse the paint of all the sediment that may have been left behind after claying and buffing.

A big rookie detailing mistake is to wax the car frequently after washing. One applicating of an acrylic wax will last weeks if not months. If additional shine is desired a quick spray detailer like Sonus acrylic spritz should be used since there is no firm rubbing of the paint surface.

[Lux]

limon and Tech,

Maybe you guys just didn't notice the swirls before? Regardless, they are now there and there's only one way to get rid of them. And that is to polish them out.

I believe the Meg's paint cleaner is a cutter. You need to follow up with a true polish before waxing. And you might have to go over the same area a few times. All Waxing does is provide a protection layer.

Lastly, maybe your cars didn't need the aggressiveness of the Meg's paint cleaner and you simply used the wrong product (which would explain seeing new swirls...but not if they don't match your buffing/removal motions).

It will be next to impossible to remove swirls by hand. A rotary (dangerous to use for a novice) or a PC (fairly safe for a novice) will be needed. You can either get a PC and try your hand at it or take it to a professional.

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[tqtran]

I use micro fiber towls but I don't rewash them. I just buy new ones every time I use them.