What are swirl marks?
Swirl marks are fine, circular scratches in the clear coat. They come from washing with dirty sponges, drying with the wrong towel and automatic brush washes. In direct sun, they look like spider webs in the paint and make it look dull.
How correction works
Polishing uses an abrasive and a machine to remove a very thin layer of clear coat, so the surface becomes level again and reflects light evenly. The paint is then protected with a sealant or ceramic coating.
Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3
- Stage 1: a single-stage polish for light swirls and dull paint.
- Stage 2: deeper correction for heavier swirls and light scratches.
- Stage 3: the deepest correction, for heavily oxidized paint, with a 5-year ceramic coating. Most vehicles only need Stage 1 or Stage 2.
What polishing cannot fix
If a scratch catches your fingernail, it goes through the clear coat and polishing can only reduce it, not remove it. We will tell you before starting, and sometimes a lower stage gives you the result you want.
What to do after
Protect the corrected paint. Our ceramic coating keeps it looking sharp, and good washing habits prevent new swirls. Read our winter wash guide.
Why even new vehicles can have swirl marks
Many vehicles are washed and handled before they reach the owner, and that can leave fine marks. A polish on a new vehicle, followed by protection, starts ownership with the cleanest paint possible.
How to wash without adding swirls
- Rinse thoroughly before touching the paint.
- Use a clean wash mitt and the two-bucket method.
- Dry with a clean microfibre towel, not a bath towel or chamois.
- Avoid automatic brush washes.
Does polishing wear out the paint?
Polishing removes a very thin amount of clear coat. Done correctly, and not repeated over and over, paint has plenty of life left. That is why we match the stage to the paint: we use the lightest stage that gives you the result you want.
Polish vs ceramic vs wax
Polishing corrects the surface. Wax, sealant and ceramic coating protect it. They do different jobs, and the best result is to polish first and then protect. See our ceramic coating page.