Have Swirl Marks on Your Car? How to Prevent Them the Next Time You Wash Your Car

One common problem you often see on a car's finish is swirl marks. You may think it is because your paint is old. Or that the paint job was defective. Or that it is simply unavoidable, that there is nothing you can do about it and that it is just something you live with, especially as your car ages. And so you continue to use the same old methods to wash your car that only exacerbates the problem.

However, even brand-new factory applied paint can quickly show these fine swirl marks if you are not careful. Look closely at your new car and you may see very light scratches that show up in a circular or swirling pattern. You can get products designed to remove these marks, often in combination with a buffer, but the best thing to do is find out what's causing them so that you can avoid further damage.

With so many competing products available for car washing and paint protection, you may be confused about the best way to wash your car to keep your car's paint looking like it just came off the assembly line.

Swirl marks are most likely caused by unseen grit on your sponge, towel, or chamois. These particles can be microscopic. You may be adding to the swirls every time you wash or dry your car. It can also happen at a carwash. You may be thinking you are avoiding this by investing in a hand wash at the car wash but it happens here more times than not as well. The culprit? Cheap shop towels, bath towels and other products not designed for your car can cause these marks. Chamois and sponges, although used for years on cars, are also bad for scratching your car's paint.

The best way to prevent this is to use a good quality microfiber towel and practice good car-washing techniques, which include prepping your car before you even start washing it.