[micaISF]

i had owned gray color cars twice in the past, but lighter shades of gray and never showed swirl marks much. my F is around 1000 miles , i am curious if the smoky graphite will show swirl marks as it ages.

 

[BigMikeISF]

I'm sure some will show some as it is a darker color. They might not stand out like they do on a black car but they will still be noticeable to you if your looking for them

 

[Jeff Taylor]

Yep, it will. My Smoky Granite Mica already has some swirl marks, much to my dismay. Not bad mind you, but noticeable at certain angles.

When the weather gets better, I'm going to get out the polish and wax and hopefully that will minimize them.

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

 

[micaISF]

thank you. i should have got the silver or white.

 

[Jeff Taylor]

thank you. i should have got the silver or white.

It's a lot better than black and certainly no worse than my previous dark blue car, so don't worry about it too much. Enjoy your smoky granite IS-F. It is one of my favorite colors on the F.

I went to a Ferrari car show a few months back and even those cars had some minor swirl marks, so I don't feel so bad about my car now

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica

 

[BigMikeISF]

thank you. i should have got the silver or white.

I wouldn't worry about it too much like Jeff said. Take care of the car and enjoy it, it is an F after all

 

[zanick]

I have the Smokey Mica and have had great results using a wax called Zaino. They make a three step system, one specific for dark cars, that has minimized any swirls. Good luck.

 

[isflojo]

I have a black IS-F and I see a few swirl marks here and there, but nothing to be dismayed about. Just wax your car or have it professionally detailed once in a while to minimize the swirls, just as zanick said.

 

[Flipside909]

Just make sure you use the right cleaning materials for your car to prevent swirls. You can't avoid swirls 100%, but there are many steps you can do to help prevent it from looking bad.

 

[micaISF]

thanx for all you input. i feel better already.

 

[jctheplaya888]

swirls are inevitable

 

[robbys3m3]

Just be glad you don't have obsidian! I know wish I would have bought the graphite. I love my black F, but I sware everyime time I wash it (carefully w/ good products of courses) it still scratches/swirls more, no matter what I do. I would never have dreamed that my black GMC Denali truck would have more durable paint on it than my Lexus...

 

[acchione]

I'd say just enjoy the car, you live only once and it's just a car. I have obsidian and I know there's going to be minor imperfections (there already are a few at ~1500 miles) but that doesn't matter, people still appreciate the car.

 

[2URGSE]

swirls are inevitable

Actually, if you use a gritt guard, the right mitt, wash your mitt and the right techniques, swirls will be minimal at best and almost non-existent.

I don't own an ISF yet, but i see people with Bently's let these high school kids wash their cars on the weekends at the local gas station, it sort of makes me laugh. I would personally give them the $$$$ and not let them touch my car.

OP: If you already have swirls, you'll need to get some assistance from someone who knows how to use an orbital polisher or a buffer (there is a difference) to get the swirls removed, then it is just a matter of not taking the car to these car washes or letting the dealer "detail" your car.

I've been detailing my STi for the past 5 years, and I don't have swirls at all. Mind you, Subaru paint isn't as good as Lexus.

 

[GSE20_F]

A good car detailer can get any swirl marks in a heart beat, it just takes some elbow grease and the right product. II know a guy in the SoCAL area that can polish your car making it shinier than OEM, just lemme know if you want contact info. Next time i see him ill ask him what he uses to get those out.