The experts at Meguiar’s Car Care answer all your questions about looking after the paintwork on your car.

What causes that “spider web” effect, when looking at my car’s paintwork in the sun?  

Swirl marks result from microscopic scratches on the finish. These are random and actually run in all directions but reflect around the point of light (usually the sun). These show up particularly well on darker coloured paint, but even silver and white cars don’t escape the effects. These scratches can be caused by almost anything – from a handbag being dragged across the surface to bad washing and drying techniques and tools.   

 If you have light swirls, you can use a cleaner/wax or swirl remover type product to safely restore the finish. If you have deeper swirls, you will probably have to first use a safe paint cleaner and then follow with a pure polish and then a protective wax. If this process does not remove the swirl marks, you will need to take your car to a local professional to see if the scratches are so deep that machine polishing or even painting is needed.

 If you have a clear coat paint finish, make sure you use a product designed especially for your delicate finish to avoid adding any swirl marks.

Article Options Email to Friend Print Article Remove from Favorites Add to Favorites Remove from 'Articles to Read' Add to 'Articles to Read'

How can I tell if my car’s paint has contamination and needs cleaning? 

Although your paint may appear to be clean, microscopic particles of contamination such as dirt, dust and tree sap mist may be present, along with other residue such as the chemicals deposited by acid rain. These contaminants gradually bond to your paint, and even repeated washings will not remove them.

Use the "Smooth-As-Glass" test to determine whether the surface has accumulated significant contamination and needs to be cleaned. First, wash your car and dry it thoroughly. Then gently run your fingertips over its top surfaces (the bonnet, roof and boot lid). The paint should feel as smooth as glass, with no sense of roughness or texture.

If your paint doesn't pass this test, it's time to clean and polish it before adding your next coat of protective wax. Deep cleaning removes stubborn environmental contamination, as well as dead paint that dulls your finish. Think of this like dry skin, with polishing being the moisturiser. Polishing restores vital nutrients to the paint, deepening the colour and creating a brilliant gloss. Always follow a polish with a protective wax for lasting protection. 

What is gloss?

Gloss is an optical characteristic that describes the capacity of a surface to reflect light. A high-gloss paint surface is one that directly reflects light with minimum diffusion. Dirt and grime on the surface of a car’s paint diffuse (or scatter) light, making it look dull and lifeless.

No paint will remain glossy if it is neglected and exposed to environmental contamination. Proper paint care is one of the most rewarding activities you can do for your car. Not only do you instantly see a difference, but when it comes time to sell or trade in your car, it will be worth far more than a similar model that has been neglected.

Why do car finishes fade? What is oxidation? 

Automotive paint is designed to reflect light to create the dazzling shine we see in most new-car showrooms. If your car was washed daily and kept indoors 90% of the day, the shine would last for years because there would be no surface contamination to dull, stain or oxidise the finish.

Most modern car finishes consist of a base coating that contains the colour, and a protective clear coating on top that is designed to keep the colour paint from oxidising. This outer clear coat adds UV protection that helps prevent the sun's rays from degrading the base paint.

Oxidation was an obvious problem ten years ago because you quickly saw the colour fade or chalk. Now with an outer paint layer of clear coat, oxidation is less obvious - yet it still occurs. The sun dries out top paint layers and natural oils are lost. If these oils aren't replaced, the paint oxidises and the surface gradually becomes duller and duller.

Even more than yesterday's paints, today's clear coat finishes look faded whenever the surface becomes contaminated by airborne pollution, acid rain, industrial fallout and countless other factors. If the contamination isn't removed frequently, it reduces the reflective quality of the finish until it looks dull and lifeless. If the contamination is left on the car for some time, it can begin to etch into the thin clear coat paint layer and expose the base coat to direct UV rays, causing even greater damage.

Once the clear coat protection is significantly reduced or completely gone, the car requires costly repainting.  

What is clear coat paint? How can I tell if I have it? 

Today, most modern car finishes consist of a base coating of paint that contains the colour pigments and a clear protective coating on top that is designed to keep the colour from oxidising. This outer clear coat paint will protect the colour as long as it is maintained properly and isn't damaged.

An easy way to tell if you have a clear coat paint is to look at your applicator when waxing. If you see paint colour on the applicator or buffing material, you do not have a clear coat paint. Clear coat paints require special care and you should never use harsh abrasive waxes or rubbing compounds on them. 

What can I do to hide small scratches on my car?

If you are like most car owners, you have a clear coat paint on your car. This clear layer of paint magnifies scratches because it refracts light through the clear finish. Some scratches can be removed by hand with a mild paint cleaner. Deeper scratches must be removed by a professional or repainted.

If your scratches are very light, use of a pure polish prior to frequent waxing is the best way to hide the imperfections. The polish will restore valuable oils to the damaged paint and help reduce the optical refraction that makes scratches noticeable.

For more information on the right car care products to use on your car, go to www.meguiars.co.za