PC Pad/Polish recommendation for Audi Red

jetmaker · 09-18-09, 12:21

I have a Red Audi TT with light swirls in some areas and none in others.

What would be a safe Pad recommendation/Polish to remove the light swirls then what would be best combination to bring the finish back to the mirror it is in other areas?

Thanks!

mc2hill · 09-19-09, 04:53

For someone new to machine polishing I recommend a kit from Adam's Polishes. They have made it "puddin' simple". Use the orange product (Swirl and Haze Remover - most aggressive) on an orange pad (most aggressive), the white product (Fine Machine Polish) on the white pad, and to finish, the black product (Super Machine Wax - really a sealant) on the black pads.
When you get comfortable with the products, pads, and machine you can mix them up a little for different cut levels. After you're past the newbie stage, try other vendor's products and pads, and you'll already have a 6" backing plate.

Accumulator · 09-19-09, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetmaker

I have a Red Audi TT with light swirls in some areas and none in others.

What would be a safe Pad recommendation/Polish to remove the light swirls then what would be best combination to bring the finish back to the mirror it is in other areas?

Thanks!

Welcome to Autopia! Fellow Audi owner here...

What kind of machine will you be using, or will you be trying to do this by hand.

Audi clear is usually very hard and even mild correction can sometimes be a challenge.

the_invisible · 09-19-09, 02:24

With the Audi, you will probably need AT LEAST an orange LC pad to remove the fine swirls. You could get away with a white polishing pad, but you would need more than two or three passes in some areas where the deeper swirls exist.

Carticular · 09-19-09, 06:32

I have a 2006 A4 and M105 and M205 are perfect. M105 on a 5.5" Orange LC pad and M205 on a 5.5" White LC pad using a PC.

uberyk · 09-21-09, 08:51

I've got so far:
5.5inch orange pads
Menzerna SIP & 106FA
PC 7424 XP

On my silver audi I've not been able to remove the swirls with the orange/SIP combo and multiple passes.
Only thing I haven't tried with that combo is using more pressure on the PC.

If even that fails, do you recommend I jump to the 105 or should I try the 4inch pads with SIP first?

Looking for the best combo of effectiveness without ending up with too many different products.

Oh and if I go with the M105 I'm assuming the 106FA is fine as a final finishing polish?

Carticular · 09-21-09, 10:28

Try more pressure, if that still doesn't work M105 will definetly do the job.

Accumulator · 09-21-09, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberyk

I've got so far:
5.5inch orange pads
Menzerna SIP & 106FA
PC 7424 XP

On my silver audi I've not been able to remove the swirls with the orange/SIP combo and multiple passes.
Only thing I haven't tried with that combo is using more pressure on the PC.

If even that fails, do you recommend I jump to the 105 or should I try the 4inch pads with SIP first?

I'd try the 4" pads and pressure (don't be goofy-extreme about it though). I was able to correct Audis before M105 came out, though it did take a while.

Quote:

Oh and if I go with the M105 I'm assuming the 106FA is fine as a final finishing polish?

As long as it's the sort of product that'll remove light marring it oughta work fine. I've used a number of products after M105 on Audis and they were all OK, some just take more passes/work than others.

uberyk · 09-21-09, 12:30

looks like tonight's set then.
work, gym, dinner and test panel with more pressure on current setup (5.5inch uber orange+SIP).
I REALLY hope this works, I'm going to go broke trying to get a 10yr old car shiny.

If it doesn't work I'll be washing all my orange pads and introducing them to M105.
Is this sold locally at all or is it only available on the web?

Accumulator · 09-22-09, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberyk

..If it doesn't work I'll be washing all my orange pads and introducing them to M105.
Is this sold locally at all or is it only available on the web?

Heh heh, yeah...with a few Audis in my garage I sure like having M105 on hand

My local autobody/paint supply place doesn't have it, so I've always ordered online.

toyotaguy · 09-22-09, 11:28

m105, menzerna SIP, m205, Menzerna FPII
orange pad, white pad, blue pad, black pad
speed 6 with each step
= liquid red!

uberyk · 09-22-09, 11:29

right so...
went to lowes and picked up a 1000watt halogen worklight set as I knew I was going to be working way past sunlight.
spot washed the trunk lid and split the top panel into two halves.
each half took three hits with the orange pad/SIP combo.
1 hit = 3passes slow speed/heavy pressure; 2-3 passes moderate speed/moderate pressure.
followed up with 1 hit with blue pad/106FA
(all my pads are the uber variety from DD)

this did get a pretty good result.
i can't really judge on the percentage scale but a good majority of the swirls were gone under the halogens.
it's been overcast all day so I'm still not able to check under bright, direct sunlight.

6hits overall on one panel seems way too much for me.
it took over an hour and I can't imagine trying to do an entire car at that rate.

I'll most likely try a yellow pad from DD with SIP next.
And if even that takes a while then move up to M105.

on a side note, yesterdays work produced an INSANE amount of dust.
i thought i rinsed it all off but noticed a good amount of white specks on the neighboring panels in the morning.
gave it a wash midday and they are still there (have to be rubbed with some pressure to remove it seems)

so, as noob as this might sound, what's the best way to make sure all the dust gets rinsed off cleanly?
and when you do an entire car, do you rinse after every panel or do you wait till the end?
also, feel free to comment/add on to anything else mentioned.

I feel some satisfaction at the results but really wish it could be shortened time wise.