My dear husband had my 2005 Element detailed for me as a birthday gift. How very sweet. Well, the nincompoop who did the job apparently did not wash the darn thing before he got out the polisher. My Element is black and had never even been through the car wash. I'd been so careful with it and am totally disgusted. So, now my little beauty is covered with swirl marks. Really bad swirl marks. I had it deep polished to remove the marks, but they're still there. Does anybody know how to repair the damage? Should I just have it re-painted? He also got wax on the plastic so now it looks milky. HELP! Thanks in advance.:

The wax on the trim is easy to fix, just use some peanut butter (seriously) or Back to Black and it will look fine. The swirls are a little more difficult. You may need to have the car professionally buffed if you want it fixed right. They will have to take off the top layer of clearcoat and then polish and seal it. You can try and wax it yourself, but it is not going to fill in all of the scratches like a buffing will. That is just my opinion, others can feel free to correct me.

Might try a search and/or going to the "Wax on Wax off" thread for more info.

No, I don't think you need to repaint. I love black, but would NEVER get a daily driver in black for that exact reason. "All" he (the detailer) did was scratch the clearcoat. Not diminishing what he did, but it didn't get anywhere near the actual paint. There are ways to correct the problem, but I will let others with more experience in that area answer them.

Good luck and I hope you get hEr back to the way she was.... :wink::-)

There are several methods of removing the swirl marks. However I would bring it back to the place that put them in the car, and have them fix it!.....

That goes for the wax on the plastic as well!

If you insist on doing it your self, Start with the plastic panels. Use Tooth paste and a brush to remove the wax. Take your time. It's slow going. It does work!

As for the swirl marks, If polishing did not remove them, then a visit to a body shop is in order. Have them look at it. They will tell you if it can be buffed out or not. I would have 2 or more places give me a price. That will give you an idea of how bad it is, or is not.

With out looking at it in person, there is no way anyone can tell you if they can be removed without professional help.

Dom

x2 on the professional buff job.

I was quoted $250 from a bodyshop for a mild wet sand and buff with some kind of expensive wax. I went to them because I had some very light swirl marks. I thought that was way overpriced.

What I ended up doing was washing the car off with Dawn (not recommended unless you are applying wax within a few hours of doing this), then I used that Turtle Wax Liquid Clay Bar stuff. I then washed that off (leaves a nasty white residue), then dried with a soft, clean towel. I then applied Meguiars (personal fav) Hard Cleaner Wax by hand, then applied Meguiars Gold Class Hard Wax by hand. I was very impressed with this and I found it to solve my problem, but like I mentioned, my swirl marks were very light.

Personally, if you had a professional detailer do damage like I'm picturing, I'd immediately take it back to them and give them a piece of my mind. There is no way that anyone could be that ignorant. I know of some pro detailers that have done jobs like that... now they're unemployed.

Thanks for your help........the scratches are horrible. It looks like he put a grinder to my car. It doesn't look like swirl marks caused by cleaning or even running it through the car wash........it's a nightmare! I was so in love with my little car and now I'm embarrased to even drive it. I actually leave it dirty. It covers the mess..........I'm am sooooo sad. I've only ever had two brand new cars in my life........and I'm OLD!

Thanks for your help........the scratches are horrible. It looks like he put a grinder to my car. It doesn't look like swirl marks caused by cleaning or even running it through the car wash........it's a nightmare! I was so in love with my little car and now I'm embarrased to even drive it. I actually leave it dirty. It covers the mess..........I'm am sooooo sad. I've only ever had two brand new cars in my life........and I'm OLD!

Sorry to hear your story. I feel your pain.
I am sure others will comment on how to fix your E. There is a bunch of knowledgeable members in this forum.

You sound like you are young at heart, hey, after all you are driving an E :wink:

I also feel bad for the husband, trying to do something really nice for you.
I am sure this will be resolve at the end.

By the way, here is a bunch of roses just for you. I hope it'll make you feel a little bit better. :)

Okay.......I'm going to take the girl to the paint shop and see what they can do. I just kept thinking it would probably be about 3,000 dollars, so if it's not going to be too bad, I think I'll just get the darn thing done. I looked at the brand new ones, but I think I like the old girl better. .....I guess I'm just attached! :D

BlueBoy, thanks for the cheer-up and the posies.......

Okay.......I'm going to take the girl to the paint shop and see what they can do. I just kept thinking it would probably be about 3,000 dollars, so if it's not going to be too bad, I think I'll just get the darn thing done. I looked at the brand new ones, but I think I like the old girl better. .....I guess I'm just attached! :D

BlueBoy, thanks for the cheer-up and the posies.......

EllieE, what is the year and milieage of your E?

Let us know how you make out with the paint job.

... what if your husband was the guy who did the job.

WHAT IF???

Nope, hubby did not do the job; however, he is NOT a car guy. He grew up in Hawaii and surfed every day........what a surfer!.....knows NOTHING about cars, home maintenance, or building things. Did I say he was quite a surfer? He chose someone who did the fleet at his job.......I guess he didn't notice this guy was an idiot and did a horrible job on the cars he details for them. :rolleyes: I did actually try to talk to the fellow who did it.......he went into a raving rant and since I'd like to live a few years longer I figured I'd be better off not trying to solve the problem with him. He told me the scratches were already there........Ok, so I don't know when my tires need to be replaced, but I do know scratches when I see them.......My little toaster is an '05. It has running boards, bug guard, mud flaps, luggage rack, and that little back fin do-hickey......what's it called?? :wink::wink::wink::wink::wink: I wish I'd have gotten the fog lights, they do look nice, don't they?

Okay here's what you need to do.

Get a rotary buffer
find the detailer
tangle the buffer head in his coveralls
apply scratch remover paste to detailer
buff element using a smooth even motion
allow detailer to vomit occasionally (not on the E please) due to dizzyness.
repeat until swirls are gone or detailer is worn to a nub.

Good luck:grin:

I feel your pain, I don't like it :mad:

May I suggest this place for tech info and products. I've always found what I needed for my cars here.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-perfect.html

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-paint-polish-clinic.html

Nope, hubby did not do the job; however, he is NOT a car guy. He grew up in Hawaii and surfed every day........what a surfer!.....knows NOTHING about cars, home maintenance, or building things. Did I say he was quite a surfer? He chose someone who did the fleet at his job.......I guess he didn't notice this guy was an idiot and did a horrible job on the cars he details for them. :rolleyes: I did actually try to talk to the fellow who did it.......he went into a raving rant and since I'd like to live a few years longer I figured I'd be better off not trying to solve the problem with him. He told me the scratches were already there........Ok, so I don't know when my tires need to be replaced, but I do know scratches when I see them.......My little toaster is an '05. It has running boards, bug guard, mud flaps, luggage rack, and that little back fin do-hickey......what's it called?? :wink::wink::wink::wink::wink: I wish I'd have gotten the fog lights, they do look nice, don't they?

Yup, fog lights look great. Get it and while you are at it take advantage to do the Home Depot mod too. :-)
Let the hubby take care of the bill since he ruined the E :D (kidding)

Here are some pics of my E.

Pip......thanks soooo much for the links. I checked out a few items and think they just may have what I need to fix poor Ellie. I've never even heard of clay and who knew that your finish will get cloudy over time if all you do is wax it? Great information.

BlueBoy......yes....I think I must have the fog lights. They look so nice. It just isn't the same when mine has those nasty little empty indentations!

Brawsie.....NOW THAT'S AN IDEA!!! :shock::shock::shock: The "detailer" really went over the edge when I tried to talk to him. He actually scared me. Most business owners try to please the customer.........oh no.....not this fellow. His head was spinning and I think it was starting to turn sort of a green color.

By the way, my license plate ring says "Element-Cute Like A Bulldog".....I have a French Bulldog that tags along from time to time....the license plate ring suits my little machine just fine. :):):)