What causes swirls?

[Caboboy]

Is using non microfiber towels the leading candidate?

[JJU]

In my experience, bad towels (when drying) OR bad wash mitt/towel or not having the surface clean when you apply friction to the surface.

[EVIL_C5]

dont know about non-microfiber, but cheap and dirty towels will do it.

I used to maintain a swirl free finish on my 87 GN back before microfibers were popular and just was very careful with anything that touched the paint.

lots of detail spray even when drying and very soft cloths (I used diapers back in the day)

[Killrwheels@Autogeek]

washing and drying are the two biggest area for swirl addition. Add into it that people quick detail often times when car is too dirty and its another way to add the marks.

Proper lubrication, towels, mitts, and well established washing and drying methods help tremendously.

[EVIL_C5]

Originally Posted by Killrwheels@Autogeek

Add into it that people quick detail often times when car is too dirty and its another way to add the marks.

see this all too many times, they thing its a replacement for washing or wipe the car down after every drive so its "always clean"