sailorlite

I'll be looking a two recent model used cars this week, both with dark metallic paint and both for sale at new car dealerships. I could look at mid-day or after dark. My question: given that both cars will have been "detailed" by their used car departments, what's the best time of day to see any swirls in the clear coat? (These cars will be outside in normal daylight or under lights after dark). Thanks.

Steph1

I would say direct sunlight, but I remember that back when I had black cars, the swirls and imperfections would show most after dark when I would go fuel-up. The overhead neon lights at a service station would show every little defects/ scratch/swirl in the paint.

rap

More light the better.

Phrog Phlyer

First car I ever owned that - the swirls show up best when the sun in overhead on my Macadamia Metallic 997. They are not seen as well in fluorescent light.

Dennis R. Cliff

With the right compound and a foam pad on a dedicated buffing machine, or by hand, any swirl marks can be removed.

kcheves

They make specialized high intensity lights for this. Mine looks like a timing light, but there are also pen lights. Not too expensive, very handy. Try Autogeek.net (no affiliation).

mrhebert

Don't base your buying decision on swirl marks, they can be removed easily with paint correction compounds.

Esoteric_Detail

The Rupes Pen Light is the most versatile, compact, and useful light for analyzing car paint that we've ever found. We use these on a daily basis here at Esoteric on every Porsche GT car that we work on.