UDM, LLC white & FPII...now holograms, why?

[BRODEY1]

I finally had a weekend to breakout the new UDM and all my other new products.

My car is 14 years old, this was its first machine polishing. I've always used proper washing and drying technique, and the paint really was in great condition.

My only problem areas were the front hood and back trunk, water etching and random scratches only, the sides and bumpers looked awesome.

I used Menz IP on a LLC white pad for the hood and trunk then FPII on white. I finished with KAIO on LLC green and KSG by hand.

My trunk and hood look awesome now, but my sides now have, what I believe is called "holograms" that were not there before and seem to be the same size as my 6.5" pads, which I changed out often.

Again, the sides were done with FPII on white and KAIO on green, so I either did something wrong with the FPII or the Klasse, and since KAIO is a chemical cleaner, I'm leaning toward the FPII as the culprit.

I washed and clayed very well before starting.

What do you think I did wrong?

-moved the UDM too quickly or too slowly
-did not give it time to breakdown
-wrong pad
-wrong speed (used 3-4 as per instruction)

Anything else??

99% of people would not notice it, but who cares about them??

Thanks for any input, and please feel free to ask me any questions if it would help.

Thanks!

[gmblack3a]

Its really hard to get holograms with a PC.

But your speed is too low as it should be 5-6. So you might not of broken down the polish all the way.

[BRODEY1]

5-6 huh? Then I was definitely using too low of a setting. I don't have it in front of me, but I could swear it said 3-4, but I'd rather take real world recommendations than info from an instructional pamplet.

Thanks!

[ScubaStevo]

Yes, 5-6 at least.

[pampos]

post some pictures.maybe are not holograms but maybe you didn't clean enough the KAIO that you applied.Also speed 5-6 is better.

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Its really hard to get holograms with a PC.

But your speed is too low as it should be 5-6. So you might not of broken down the polish all the way.

+1.
The only times I've gotten holograms with a PC were due to too slow of a speed and not breaking down the polish all the way.

[charlesaferg]

There should be no doubt, particularly if you have a pattern. As stated above, speed it up to at least 5.5 or 6.

Also, don't just go over a panel once, but got over it twice or more in SLOW overlapping patterns. Especially with a white pad. If you're not getting enough cut, use orange. but be sure to follow up with white.

Overall it sounds like you're getting some good experience, sounds familiar. Ah, the good days of trial and error. We all still have them.

[07e90]

Also isn't the LC green supposed to be more abrasive than the white? Perhaps try a black/gray pad to finish off.

[TTWAGN]

Sounds like marring to me...

On soft soft paints i often get marring where the paint has a slight cloudy look in the paint. Usually i can see the overlapping of the buffer.

Usually this is caused due to the pads being too aggressive.

The green pad has heaps of cut. Using that with Klasse would have caused the problem.

Go over the paint with FP11 with the softest pad you have. probably the white pad.

Then check the same sections again. Just do one panel and cheap.

Apply the klasse by hand.

[BRODEY1]

I was going by the recommendations from ProperAutoCare, the site I bought the pads from.

They said to use the white pad with Menz IP and FPII, which I did..

They then said to use the green pad with KAIO, and other one step polishes/cleaners, which I did..

Both of these recommendations actually used all 3 products by name.

Thanks for all the input guys! I obviously messed up somewhere, just gotta figure out where.

No biggie, I really enjoyed myself, and I guess if I nailed it on the first time I would have no room to learn, which I enjoy doing also.

[fergnation]

Actually with the UDM I would start out with a little over speed four and then after you get the product spread out 2' x 2' section increase the speed to 5 or 6. A rotary will roll the abrasives around to cut while they diminish (break down) at a uniformed high rate of speed. When using a UDM (especially with 6.5" pads) they pound the abrasives in if you start out at too high of a speed. A pad that size will not rotate easily and you are probably only getting the orbital movement. This will leave you with holograms and even with what I call stitches. It is a pattern left by the abbrasives that look kind of like a stitch pattern. Then you almost have to go with a stronger polish to cut down past them. I always start out at 4.5 and give the abrasives a chance roll and start to break down, then increase the speed and break the polish down completely and uniform.

Also, you said that you changed pads often. Just be careful when doing this. A dry pad that has not been primed will get you every time. Usually the orange pads (especially LC new ones) will hurt it but it is possible to do it with the white pads.

Lastly, make sure you not going larger than the 2' x 2' sections. Actually I would probably go with 1' x 1' and slow way down. With a white pad the risk of burning is really close to Zero and give yourself enough time. Let the abrasives distibute in your section then raise the speed and give it time to break down. With holograming (IMO) the second step is the most important. Go over it twice or three times with FPII. Also go out and get a halogen lamp or spotlight. One will do and you can get one for 5 dollars. After every pass and wipe down put the halogen up to it at an angle and check your work. Don't look directly into the lite but at the side so you are looking at the reflection with an angle. Believe me, it will show you every stinking flaw that is there.

All just IMO

[BRODEY1]

So, it seems the majority seem to think it was the speed setting, need to bump it up to 5-6.

Do I now need to strip the one layer of KSG, or can I go right back over it with FPII on a white pad?

Thanks for all the great advise!