Speed for Swirl Removal vs Polishing

[dschiller]

Most posts I've read suggest an arm speed of about 0.5-1 inch/sec for swirl removal using e.g., the Sonus SFX-2. Should the arm speed be the same for the subsequent polishing and waxing steps, or can you move a little faster for these? Should the PS2 speed be faster or slower for swirl removal vs polishing/waxing? Is 4-5 a good setting for swirl removal with about 2-3 passes?

I made the mistake of using a terry cloth towel on my brand new Lexus IS350 (yes, incredibly stupid I now know). I spent 2 hours trying to remove the swirls on my hood and trunk, going over each area twice. I removed about 80% of the swirls, but I guess I've got more work to do to remove them completely.

-David

[Super]

I will assume your car is black since you didn’t say and you did not say how hard you applied the terry cloth on the paint and was there grit on the car then you used the terry cloth more in likely so and that grit would cause more damage then the terry cloth would, Use a cutting pad @ any speed using firm pressure more so at higher speed doing so vertical & horizontally paths in one section at a time. Use a bright light to see reflections off the paint to see any defects if so repeat step one. Then use a polishing pad @ any speed using firm pressure more so at higher speed , Both pads after polishing use a lower speed and less pressure after for better results, use a folded semi wet MF so no corners touch because some MF stitching can scratch, gently wipe off polish. Don’t rub paint with fingers and vary gently apply the first coat of sealer/wax. A sealer/wax helps to prevent micro scratching. Contamination is your worse enemy in any steps doing the above.

[dschiller]

Thanks for the suggestions. My car is a very dark blue and it only took me a couple of wash and dries with a terry cloth towel to cover my car with swirl marks. What made things even worse was that I used an old towel that was anything but soft. The PC (I had a typo in my original post) did a good job, but I should have used better lighting or looked at my car in sunlight before applying the polish. I'll examine the other surfaces I have yet to attack more carefully before going on to the polish step.

I will also be applying some Pak Shak ClearKote Moose Wax, which I was told does a good job at hiding/filling some of the swirl marks which will undoubtedly still remain despite my best attempt at removing them with the PC. Should I use the PC to apply the wax at fairly low speed?

[Super]

Try to polish out the scratches it’s not that hard you can do it! Anyway ClearKote Moose Wax only takes out micro scratches. Autopia has a great “How to” look at the top of the page here under Learn Good luck

[Nebraskaz71]

1" a second? No wonder i had no luck with my first try with PC lol i was goin like 6" a second

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by Nebraskaz71

1" a second? No wonder i had no luck with my first try with PC lol i was goin like 6" a second

, I'm ordering my PC kit and supplies, honestly thought you just use it and move around at a quick pace. Luckily found out on this board that's not the case lol. Looks like you should move about 1/2 inch per second or so from what I found.......ayyy, and we have a couple suv's

[Nebraskaz71]

ya thats super slow especially compared to what i thought. Ah that will be fun on all our trucks hehe

[Reflections]

Nice slow passes are the way to go, and you will get a feel after awhile for how the polish is breaking down, and you will get a good feel for what gets results. I didn't start getting solid results with my PC until I learned to bump the speed up to 6 and apply firm pressure. Try the Sonus SFX-2 with a polishing pad (white sonus SFX pad or green das pad) with good pressure and nice slow passes. Work the polish until it is broken down. It should finish very nicely.

I never used to understand why people would remove their PC handle, but I don't use it anymore either. I hold the base of the PC (the part closest to you) with my left hand, and hold the top with my right, applying steady pressure with my palm. I find this is very effective.

You have the right tools and attitude for the job, you'll get it figured out, don't sweat it! And nothing but MF towels for your car from now on!! Good luck!

[dschiller]

Does the polish or swirl remover turn to dust when it breaks down, or does the appearance of dust mean I've made too many passes and gone past the breakdown point? Sometimes the SFX-2 turns to dust after only a couple of passes at speeds of 5+.

Also, I'm still wondering if it's OK to move the PC a bit faster during polishing as compared to swirl removal. I'm spending sooooo much time on just a few sections of my car.

Yes, since my little disaster I've bought some nice waffle towels from Autopia and Pak Shak and also nothing but MF towels for polish removal.

P.S. My wife now thinks I've TOTALLY lost my mind.