Flint Mica swirls - Toyota Yaris Forums

Jen · 08-27-2009, 03:10 AM

My 2008 yaris has flint mica paint. I never owned a dark color car before and didn't realize or ever notice that cars get swirly scratches from car washes. My yaris did get swirls from its first car wash. Now that I have figured this out I never use a brush on my paint and always hand wash carefully or just pressure washed it. Now I am wanting to fix the swirls. The paint has sparkles so I was wondering if the swirls could still be buffed out without affecting the sparkles? I was thinking to take it to a detail shop? Anyone have their flint mica buffed?

PETERPOOP · 08-27-2009, 03:13 AM

claybar it or maybe meguires scratch X it. then of course wax it.

MUSKOKA800 · 08-27-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

My 2008 yaris has flint mica paint. I never owned a dark color car before and didn't realize or ever notice that cars get swirly scratches from car washes. My yaris did get swirls from its first car wash. Now that I have figured this out I never use a brush on my paint and always hand wash carefully or just pressure washed it. Now I am wanting to fix the swirls. The paint has sparkles so I was wondering if the swirls could still be buffed out without affecting the sparkles? I was thinking to take it to a detail shop? Anyone have their flint mica buffed?

My Nautical Metalic Blue has the same issue. In all my years of motoring I've never experienced auto paint as soft as that of the Yaris. It's almost as if it was never baked at the factory.

Very disappointing.

bronsin · 08-27-2009, 08:32 AM

I wonder is it environmentally correct paint? The paint on my 2000 and 2001 ECHOs (silver) is still in excellent like new condition.

Kaotic Lazagna · 08-27-2009, 06:24 PM

Please, please, please do not use circular movements when washing your car. Only use linear movements when washing with a "long-hair" wash mitt.

*tomato* · 08-27-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUSKOKA800

My Nautical Metalic Blue has the same issue. In all my years of motoring I've never experienced auto paint as soft as that of the Yaris. It's almost as if it was never baked at the factory.

Very disappointing.

Thin paint is a common complaint with the Yaris. Consumer Reports had noted that when I bought my Yaris. I therefore plan on waxing mine a lot more than I waxed my last car. The paint on the Yaris is just thin and needs more protection.

There are a lot of waxing / washing tips in this thread

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=21

Myself, I bought some Meguiar's Scratch X, on this forums' recommendation and also car enthusiasts I know from the neighborhood; one friend was able to remove a huge scratch someone made while her car was in a parking lot, with Scratch X. I also bought 2 different kinds of waxes (from Meguiars) as well for protection.

Good luck

supmet · 08-27-2009, 08:09 PM

I've waxed my car twice in almost 3 years and 74k miles. The paint is still shiiiiiiiny. I take it through crappy auto car washes too... I guess I never brushed my car, but I keep it shaved.

(seriously though why would you brush a car?)

IllusionX · 08-28-2009, 11:27 AM

twice only??

I only hand wash my car, and i wax it at least twice a year. meguiar's gold class only lasts about 3 months. I use 400$ paint scellant (of course i don't pay that price) twice a year, and then when i have time, i do meguiar's gold class in between.

fearturtle44 · 08-28-2009, 04:17 PM

Paint jobs these days are "bad" on all cars not just Toyota Yaris. And as folks have said, do NOT take your car to a car wash unless it is a "touchless" one. And at that I strongly recommend washing by hand with cloth mit. Do not use sponges.

In agreement on using Meguiars; very good.

08-27-2009, 03:10 AM	#1
Jen Drives: 2008 Toyota Yaris Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brampton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3	Flint Mica swirls My 2008 yaris has flint mica paint. I never owned a dark color car before and didn't realize or ever notice that cars get swirly scratches from car washes. My yaris did get swirls from its first car wash. Now that I have figured this out I never use a brush on my paint and always hand wash carefully or just pressure washed it. Now I am wanting to fix the swirls. The paint has sparkles so I was wondering if the swirls could still be buffed out without affecting the sparkles? I was thinking to take it to a detail shop? Anyone have their flint mica buffed?

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08-27-2009, 03:13 AM	#2
PETERPOOP View User's Garage Drives: 08 white liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oahu Posts: 3,674	claybar it or maybe meguires scratch X it. then of course wax it.

08-27-2009, 08:32 AM	#4
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	I wonder is it environmentally correct paint? The paint on my 2000 and 2001 ECHOs (silver) is still in excellent like new condition.

08-27-2009, 06:24 PM	#5
Kaotic Lazagna View User's Garage Drives: '14 GT86, '08 Vitz Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 9,873	Please, please, please do not use circular movements when washing your car. Only use linear movements when washing with a "long-hair" wash mitt.

08-27-2009, 08:09 PM	#7
supmet Banned View User's Garage Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,357	I've waxed my car twice in almost 3 years and 74k miles. The paint is still shiiiiiiiny. I take it through crappy auto car washes too... I guess I never brushed my car, but I keep it shaved. (seriously though why would you brush a car?)

08-28-2009, 11:27 AM	#8
IllusionX It's the illusion you see View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brossard, QC Posts: 3,888	twice only?? I only hand wash my car, and i wax it at least twice a year. meguiar's gold class only lasts about 3 months. I use 400$ paint scellant (of course i don't pay that price) twice a year, and then when i have time, i do meguiar's gold class in between.

08-28-2009, 04:17 PM	#9
fearturtle44 Drives: S Flint Mica Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 209	Paint jobs these days are "bad" on all cars not just Toyota Yaris. And as folks have said, do NOT take your car to a car wash unless it is a "touchless" one. And at that I strongly recommend washing by hand with cloth mit. Do not use sponges. In agreement on using Meguiars; very good.