The Best LSP For Preventing Maring/Swirls?

Striker

Active member
As the title states,



What are some of the BEST LSP's to keep my black paint as mar/swirl free as possible? I'm going to be polishing the car this spring and I plan on trying an LSP that will maintain that finish as long as possible on my weekend car.



I know FK1000 is one popular product along with Collinite 845? Insulator wax.



Maybe there are others out there. Your thoughts??
 
Any of those three (FK1000P, Collinite, OptiCoat) or heavily layered KSG.



If you go with the FK, Collinite, or KSG reapply before it's really necessary so the paint keeps releasing contamination well as that's how they help keep the marring down. Well, the KSG does provide a *tiny bit* of physical-barrier type protection, but nothing you'd want to bank on. The OptiCoat *will* provide some of that, being harder than typical clearcoats (but I wouldn't want to be relying on that too much).



But note that even with the right LSP you'll still need to get the wash/dry regimen sorted out ;)
 
I think the washing/drying has been pretty good to me- I was never a believer before but I started the drying process while using a QD and WOW what a difference.



You're saying to re-apply a coat shortly after the first one is applied, correct?
 
All i've ever used before was Zaino, but i'm starting to think that there are other better lsp's out there that will aid in marring. I'd like to stay away from opti coat, don't know why, but I'd stick to the traditional products.
 
As swirl free as possible you say? NXT or Poxy, both do some great filling, they will keep your paint nice and swirl free (thanks to filling). Wash technique is how you really keep your paint swirl free though.
 
Definitely not a cover up LSP- sorry perhaps my original post wasn't very specific. I am polishing the paint, and i'm looking for the best possible LSP that will preserve the finish.
 
Staying swirl free has a lot more to do with how you care for the car between waxing than what you put on it. One of my Arizona customers has managed to keep his metallic black G8 95% swirl free in the two years since I corrected the paint. Showed him how to use ONR and he takes his time when using it.
 
Striker said:
I think the washing/drying has been pretty good to me- I was never a believer before but I started the drying process while using a QD and WOW what a difference...



OK, good. As long as you're not having to polish every year or so....



You're saying to re-apply a coat shortly after the first one is applied, correct?





Sorry, I wasn't clear. Once you get the "right number of layers" on it (whatever that measn- from one with Collinite 476S, or two with FK1000P, up to maybe...oh, six or so with KSG), then just add another one before it's "obviously necessary". Like...as soon as beading/slickness/whatever changes just a tiny bit. Don't wait until it really needs redone to refresh it, stay one step ahead of the LSP's gradual degradation.
 
Striker said:
Definitely not a cover up LSP- sorry perhaps my original post wasn't very specific. I am polishing the paint, and i'm looking for the best possible LSP that will preserve the finish.



My point was 1/2 humor, 1/2 truth. On a black car, you will go nuts, like certifiably, if you attempt to keep the paint perfect. As has been mentioned, proper washing goes a long way. Polishing will help, but you can only polish so many times.



There is _NOTHING WRONG_ with covering up swirls. Selling paint correction service and then using something to cover the swirls up is pretty bad. I think a lot of people get confused and just think concealing swirls is bad in general. A lot of people get crazy and polish twice a year (or maybe more). I was in that camp for a while, then I woke up. Now my paint looks just as good and I have way more free time (and sanity)!!!



So that said, something that conceals will keep your paint looking better, for longer. From a product standpoint, as mentioned, Opticoat is probably your only choice to improve your paint's swirl resistance.



I've always wanted my paint to be as glossy as it can, over the years, I've realized there are a lot of ways to get to that point, some take longer than others.
 
Dan said:
My point was 1/2 humor, 1/2 truth. On a black car, you will go nuts, like certifiably, if you attempt to keep the paint perfect...



Agree :xyxthumbs While I really do still subscribe to the "clearcoat is clearcoat, no matter what it's over" viewpoint, some colors are a lot more unforgiving than others if you care about true perfection.



I bet the whole stress-factor of keeping my YukonXLD perfect was maybe...oh, 95% of my decision to sell it; every single interaction with the vehicle (from washes to daily use) was all about "!!don't mar the paint!" and it just got to be a drag.



..There is _NOTHING WRONG_ with covering up swirls...



Props for daring to post such, uhm...Autopian Heresy ;)
 
+1 for OptiCoat. Not sure why you would want to stay away from it....the only downside I have seen in 2 years use of OptiCoat is the lack of any need to do anything to my car other than to wash it. Of course when I get bored I can put another LSP over the OptiCoat.....it just doesn't last as long and doesn't really need to be done.
 
Dan said:
On a black car, you will go nuts, like certifiably, if you attempt to keep the paint perfect.





Oh yes, I have crossed this threshold several years ago; especially when I had had two black cars, one a daily driver, took care of a third black car regularly, and it seemed every car I got for a detail-for-pay job was black as well.



A certified nut induced by OCD detailing of black cars has a very incessant habit of putting his nose fractions of an inch up to the paint of any car, looking for micromarring and such and indeed seeing it; some it real, some of it imagined :nervous: :nervous:
 
Bill D said:
Oh yes, I have crossed this threshold several years ago; especially when I had had two black cars, one a daily driver, took care of a third black car regularly, and it seemed every car I got for a detail-for-pay job was black as well.



I solved that issue by not getting another black car again.
 
Dan said:
My point was 1/2 humor, 1/2 truth. On a black car, you will go nuts, like certifiably, if you attempt to keep the paint perfect. As has been mentioned, proper washing goes a long way. Polishing will help, but you can only polish so many times.



There is _NOTHING WRONG_ with covering up swirls. Selling paint correction service and then using something to cover the swirls up is pretty bad. I think a lot of people get confused and just think concealing swirls is bad in general. A lot of people get crazy and polish twice a year (or maybe more). I was in that camp for a while, then I woke up. Now my paint looks just as good and I have way more free time (and sanity)!!!



So that said, something that conceals will keep your paint looking better, for longer. From a product standpoint, as mentioned, Opticoat is probably your only choice to improve your paint's swirl resistance.



I've always wanted my paint to be as glossy as it can, over the years, I've realized there are a lot of ways to get to that point, some take longer than others.



Fair enough, and don't get me wrong- I am not 100% opposed to the idea of covering up some imperfections either. I have Z8 in my collection- based on the product info, it states that it does have some of these abilities. In a nut shell what are your thoughts on the Z5 as far as hiding swirls? I used to use Z2 followed by Z5....
 
Striker said:
Fair enough, and don't get me wrong- I am not 100% opposed to the idea of covering up some imperfections either. I have Z8 in my collection- based on the product info, it states that it does have some of these abilities. In a nut shell what are your thoughts on the Z5 as far as hiding swirls? I used to use Z2 followed by Z5....



I love how Z5 looks, its a bit warmer of a look than Z2. I have yet to see it fill anything, same with Z8. If you are open to trying stuff out and want to grab two decent fillers, Megs NXT and Ultimate Quick Wax work very well on minor swirls. Both have lots of pop, just like Zaino. They don't have anywhere the durability though, though in most cases, that doesn't matter when most of us would freak out if we went more than 3 months without an LSP.
 
Back
Top