Having trouble polishing out minor swirls

BlackSunshine · 01-26-06, 05:59

I decided to redo my GTO this evening and went ahead and clayed it and got it ready for polishing. I was using Propel 4" pads on the trouble areas (trunk lid/spoiler) and using their orange (light cutting) pad with Menzerna IP and then their green (polishing pad) with P0106FF. The marks are not too bad (I don't have a picture) but I thought SURELY they would come out with the IP. I am working them in at speed 5-5.5, working approximately an inch per second, going the width of the trunk lid first, overlapping 50%, then across it back and forth the other way, and back the first way to finish. I'm also only polishing half at a time, then the other half, then wiping off the residue with the aid of a spritz of #34, using Pakshak Ultra Fines.

The marks are less noticeable, but still there. The car is dark blue metallic.

I have IP/FPII, 106FF, OP, SSR1/2.5, 1ZPP, ZPC, and the Clearkote glazes. Due to an unforeseen problem with the velcro backing on the green pad, I had to call it a night early. When I get another pad and can continue my work, I need a near perfect finish as I had hoped to try the Werkstatt system (thus no glaze).

Suggestions?

3Dog · 01-26-06, 06:06

If you have a polishing pad ( normally white) try this. Spray the pad. just one squirt with QD. Then place one very thin X across pad. Work a 12 in square until clear. If that makes a difference then you may be able to expand to a larger square. Hope this helps..sure cant hurt.

Neothin · 01-26-06, 06:24

I've also come across some minor swirls that won't come out. I just kept using a light polish (85RD) on a polishing pad until it came out.

David Fermani · 01-26-06, 06:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSunshine

I decided to redo my GTO this evening and went ahead and clayed it and got it ready for polishing. I was using Propel 4" pads on the trouble areas (trunk lid/spoiler) and using their orange (light cutting) pad with Menzerna IP and then their green (polishing pad) with P0106FF. The marks are not too bad (I don't have a picture) but I thought SURELY they would come out with the IP. I am working them in at speed 5-5.5, working approximately an inch per second, going the width of the trunk lid first, overlapping 50%, then across it back and forth the other way, and back the first way to finish. I'm also only polishing half at a time, then the other half, then wiping off the residue with the aid of a spritz of #34, using Pakshak Ultra Fines.

The marks are less noticeable, but still there. The car is dark blue metallic.

I have IP/FPII, 106FF, OP, SSR1/2.5, 1ZPP, ZPC, and the Clearkote glazes. Due to an unforeseen problem with the velcro backing on the green pad, I had to call it a night early. When I get another pad and can continue my work, I need a near perfect finish as I had hoped to try the Werkstatt system (thus no glaze).

Suggestions?

Looks like you have the right concept of polishing. I would stay away from any kind of cutting type pad(even foam) for your application, it's too heavy. Don't be afraid to use a good amount of product WITH spritz. Keep it wet and don't finish it dry. You might want to try switching to another polish/wax combo to see if it helps. PM me with suggestions.

BlackSunshine · 01-26-06, 07:58

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention I had spritzed the pads with Turtle Wax Platinum Ultra... whatever it is Gloss QD as I am trying to get rid of it.

I think tomorrow I will try to spend some more time with it and try to get most of the swirls out. I really like the finish Menzerna polishes leave... I just don't want there to be any scratches in that finish.

SVR · 01-26-06, 10:57

Don't QD's increase the power of a polish when sprayed onto a machine buff pad and is a no no
Read this on here a while back

I'm just using water

scottabir · 01-26-06, 11:48

Try using a finishing pad for the final polishing. you might be seeing some marks from the polishing pad.

aaron33 · 01-27-06, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVR

Don't QD's increase the power of a polish when sprayed onto a machine buff pad and is a no no
Read this on here a while back

I'm just using water

Water does the same thing.

Just that with QDs, you don't know if it will interact with the polish, so water is the usual consensus.

Black Sunshine: From what I read from your post, you only did 3 passes. I find that not enough for the really serious swirls. If you only polish once or twice a year, then do more passes. I rarely cut my car, so I do 7-8 passes once, while adding product if required (after wiping off the residue).

cwcad · 01-27-06, 03:29

I had a problem getting the proper surface conditions with the Menzerna line until I read this article with pictures of the process. I refer to it often. having read this my surface has gotten better and better each time that i have applied the product. Hope this will help.http://www.melncal.com/detailing/ssr.html

BlackSunshine · 01-27-06, 03:47

Since I'll have to work with the regular 6" pads this afternoon, it's going to make things even more interesting. I will slow it down quite a bit, make more passes and work in smaller sections. I have a hard time knowing when the polish is through working. Also, I get serious dusting with 106FF.

3Dog · 01-27-06, 05:49

Cool article CWCAD

flatstick · 01-27-06, 06:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSunshine

Since I'll have to work with the regular 6" pads this afternoon, it's going to make things even more interesting. I will slow it down quite a bit, make more passes and work in smaller sections. I have a hard time knowing when the polish is through working. Also, I get serious dusting with 106FF.

If you are geting serious dusting you are using too much and maybe working it too long at a high speed. my advice would be keep the PC at 5 and work a small area with some pressure. use about 1/4 the size of a dime on a 1x1 area to start. I can polish my Trailblazer with an ounce or just slightly more. keep the pc moving slow, even slow down to 1 inch per 2 seconds or three seconds. look for the polish to turn opaque but not quite perfectly clear hope this helps you out.