Swirl Marks, Holograms, and Etching: What's Actually Wrong With Your Paint

Fine circular scratches caused by improper washing or drying, visible as a spiderweb pattern under direct light, especially on darker colours. These are removed with correction-level machine polishing.

Fine, grid-like lines left by a rotary polisher used incorrectly, too fast or with the wrong pad. Visible under bright light as a crosshatch pattern distinct from swirls, ironically caused by a poor prior polishing job. These are removed with a proper finishing polish.

Mineral deposits from water drying on the paint under sun bake into the clear coat, leaving ring-shaped marks rather than lines. Light etching can usually be polished out; deep etching sits below what safe correction can remove.

Wash and dry the car, check it under direct light (a flashlight at a low angle works well) in a dim area, and look at a few panels, the bonnet, doors, and boot. Take photos in direct sunlight and send them to us, we can usually give a preliminary read on which category applies.