What did I do wrong here?

mikenap · 07-04-09, 09:49

This is my first try at machine polishing so I decided to do a test run on the hood of my clapped out civic. The whole car is pretty nasty, with tons of scratches and oxidized to hell and back.

So my first try w/ a PC 7424XP, M105 and a CCS orange pad seemed to be going ok until I saw these tiny scratches show up. I'm pretty sure they weren't there before since I can't see anything like it on the non-polished side. I just moved to another panel and they are there again.

Am I doing something wrong? I've never heard of M105 leaving scratches before. I'm not using any real pressure, doing a couple of passes but this is starting to really discourage me. Any advice guys?

D&D Auto Detail · 07-04-09, 09:53

105 is a compound, its going to leave compounding haze. You need to follow it up with a less aggressive polish/ pad.

Setec Astronomy · 07-04-09, 09:55

That middle pic looks a bit like crow's feet/laquer checking.

mikenap · 07-04-09, 09:56

I don't believe the pics are very clear, but I think these are more scratches than haze. Very thin, white and ruler-straight. You can sort of see it around the halogens in that pic. Sorry my camera sucks, but it's the only one I have.

mikenap · 07-04-09, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

That middle pic looks a bit like crow's feet/laquer checking.

Not familiar with that. Is that a defect that the oxidation would have been hiding?

Setec Astronomy · 07-04-09, 10:05

Compounding causing crows feet?

mikenap · 07-04-09, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Compounding causing crows feet?

Awesome Setec, that's exactly it. Thanks. For the record, it's a 96 Civic and now that I clean off the un-polished panel, I can barely see those crows feet. They are there, just all the oxidation and grime is covering them up. The polish just makes them more obvious.

At least now I can relax that I wasn't making matters worse. And at the same time hang my head in shame that I ever let it get that bad.

Setec Astronomy · 07-04-09, 10:21

No shame, man...that's why people come here.

Accumulator · 07-04-09, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenap

I don't believe the pics are very clear, but I think these are more scratches than haze. Very thin, white and ruler-straight. You can sort of see it around the halogens in that pic..

-AND-

Quote:

Originally Posted by D & D Auto Detail

105 is a compound, its going to leave compounding haze. You need to follow it up with a less aggressive polish/ pad.

Yeah, M105 will sometimes leave light marring because it's simply quite abrasive and doesn't break down. Once the oils/etc. are gone there's nothing left to buffer the abrasives.

Spritzing some #34 on before buffing off the residue can help a little, but sometimes the solution is simply to use a somewhat aggressive next step to remove that not-so-micro marring. I've done well with M205/orange when the problem was more severe than normal.

SuperBee364 · 07-07-09, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenap

Awesome Setec, that's exactly it. Thanks. For the record, it's a 96 Civic and now that I clean off the un-polished panel, I can barely see those crows feet. They are there, just all the oxidation and grime is covering them up. The polish just makes them more obvious.

At least now I can relax that I wasn't making matters worse. And at the same time hang my head in shame that I ever let it get that bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

No shame, man...that's why people come here.

Yup, what Setec said.

And Honda paint has had a history of failing, so don't beat yourself up about it.

I'd say you're getting darn good results, especially for your first time.