Using SSR too much?

dezigns · 04-20-06, 08:13

Hi all - relatively new to the forum, however I've learned quite a bit from lurking so far....so here's my deal. I took delivery of my new car last week - a 2005 Atlas Grey Metallic Porsche Boxster S. I love the car beyond words, and took the delivery with a fair amount of dealer-installed swirls. So, last Tuesday, I took the Sonus Swirl Buster Pad, and SSR2 (not 2.5), and got to swirl busting. I was pretty amazed as it took about 90% of all the nasty swirls out of my dark paint. I quickly polished with a light coat of Zaino Z2, and finished with a nice mist of Z6.

Now, after a few washes (probably 3 over a week, yes, I'm obsessed) and a few QDs, i've got more swirls, not terribly bad, but they're coming back. My plan is to this weekend hit the car again with the SSR2, a few Z5 or Z2 coats, and seal with NXT, and leave it alone. Does this sound like a good plan? I also have SSR1, that i'm thinking may work OK with a white polishing pad to remove the rest of the swirls.

My main concern is that using the SSR2 too much may weaken my clear? Anyone have any suggestions? BTW the only real "cutting pad" that I use is the Swirl Buster...I apply my Z5/Z2 with a white pad, and seal by Meguiar's hand applicator.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions! Some of you with experience w/ Porsche paint (a little soft)...I'd love to hear your suggestions especially -

03k20a2 · 04-20-06, 08:37

well it has been said that poorboys uses some fillers. so after u polish the car, i would take a 50/50 isoproyl alchol/water and spray that on the panel and check for swirls to make sure they are gone for good. also, when washing, whats ur process as well as ur quik detailer/what kind and what towels u using?

Chan · 04-20-06, 08:57

Gotta learn to live with it. Or you can buy glazes or waxes that'll fill in minor swirls. A swirled clear is better than a thin clear.

Mr. Clean 2K · 04-20-06, 09:06

AVOID NXT if you have Zaino.... I am not a Zaino fan but would never combine them. I would do the following:

SSR 2 till your happy
2-5 coats of Z2
Wash less
QD less
Top with a nuba that has a filler like Natty's Blue each week.

Twice a year attack those built up swirls.
Get better microfibers
Use more QD to reduce swirling or go with PB Spray and Wash as your QD

steveo3002 · 04-20-06, 09:09

i dont think your about to damage the clear right now...repolish it again and wipe down with alcohol /water mix , be sure its 100% right this time. then take extra effort to keep it that way as you dont want to be getting into polishing everyfew weeks

TortoiseAWD · 04-20-06, 09:10

Please don't crosspost. I've merged your two threads into this one originally posted in Machine Polishing.

Thanks,
Tort
(moderator)

dezigns · 04-21-06, 07:37

Thanks for your help, everyone - my apologies about the cross-post. I'll SSR2 again and hopefully get all of them out this time. I use hi pile 70/30 MFs, and only use 100% cotton towels to dry and to QD.

deadlock32 · 04-24-06, 04:53

you need to use MF and either Chamois or MF to dry as well. Any for of cotton will leave swirls. (though correct me if I am wrong)

DSVWGLI · 04-24-06, 07:05

SSR 2 is a pretty mild polish, so don't sweat it. You may need to use 2.5 first to get rid of those swirls. Do an iso wipe after polishing to make sure it's all good.

dezigns · 04-25-06, 05:13

i remember reading somewhere (i think it was Zaino's web site) that 100% cotton was the only way to go for properly drying and buffing off polish without swirling...it doesnt seem like the towels cause any extra swirling, i think it was a cheap MF that i used to QD once, or that the swirls weren't completely eliminated. Anyone have a de facto answer on this? I may order the Sonus waffle weave drying towel, or just go back to a new chamois...slightly confused here.

acn684 · 04-25-06, 06:51

i'd get some new cobra microfibers and dedicate them just for qd, and a mitt or two of sheepskin for washing, best to avoid instilling swirls, that way you don't have to get them out.

DSVWGLI · 04-25-06, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezigns

i remember reading somewhere (i think it was Zaino's web site) that 100% cotton was the only way to go for properly drying and buffing off polish without swirling...it doesnt seem like the towels cause any extra swirling, i think it was a cheap MF that i used to QD once, or that the swirls weren't completely eliminated. Anyone have a de facto answer on this? I may order the Sonus waffle weave drying towel, or just go back to a new chamois...slightly confused here.

Using 100% cotton will mar a perfectly polished finish, I use to use them and I marred the finish almost every time. Quality MF's will not mar at all. For drying use a WW drying towel or leaf blower. Do not use a chamois as they tend to pull of LSP's.