Mitsubishi clearcoat woes via PC

BlackSunshine · 07-23-06, 01:51

So my best friend broght his wife's Mitsu Galant over today and asked me to remove some of the swirling from the horizontal surfaces. I thought, no big deal, sure. So I wash it, clay it, wash it, and break out my PC. The swirls were not bad, but there were some random scratches that I thought I could surely remove.

Started out with OP/Meg's Polishing pad at speed 6. This brought a high gloss, but did nothing for the swirls/scratches.

Went to SSR2.5 with a polishing pad. Removed the light swirling, but left the heavier stuff. Stepped up to a cutting pad. Removed 95% of the swirling, but left the scratches intact.

Tried DACP on a polishing pad and then a cutting pad, and finally decided on DACP on a cutting pad at speed 6, followed up with 80 on a polishing pad. This left the paint looking and feeling great, but the scratches/deeper swirling were still there.

Is Mitsu clear notioriously hard or was I just not having good luck today?

DaGonz · 07-23-06, 05:24

I detailed a red Eclipse spyder for a client. The paint on that car will mar if you breathe heavy on it!

EdLancer · 07-23-06, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSunshine

Is Mitsu clear notioriously hard or was I just not having good luck today?

Yes Mitsu clearcoat and single stage is extremely hard. You can tell by the numerous stone chips that is blistering in the bumper or hood, but you should not have any problems with removing swirls. I was able to remove 99% of them with 3m 05933 with cutting pad and polish up with #82 and the paint is now pristine. I think Mitsu's paint is the same as MB Ceramicoat in hardness.

Scottwax · 07-23-06, 10:38

It could be the scratches/swirls are too deep to remove completely. I haven't done enough Mitsubitshis to comment on the paint hardness.

BlackSunshine · 07-23-06, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

It could be the scratches/swirls are too deep to remove completely. I haven't done enough Mitsubitshis to comment on the paint hardness.

I'm sure some of them are in need of wet sanding as they can actually be felt with your fingernail, but there were some marks that I just couldn't believe wouldn't come out. I guess I should have tried some of my 4" pads and I completely forgot that I have some IP. Oh well, it sits outside and is a daily driver. At least it got some protection.

Scottwax · 07-23-06, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSunshine

Oh well, it sits outside and is a daily driver. At least it got some protection.

I am a firm believer in detailing a car to the level it will be maintained at.

BlackSunshine · 07-23-06, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I am a firm believer in detailing a car to the level it will be maintained at.

I'm with ya on that one. This one was especially hard to convince myself to polish out because she has a tendency to use the roof/trunk lid as a baby seat holder while she's loading stuff in/out of the car

Oh well, at least it got me some more practice with the PC. I was really impressed with DACP.

natebood · 07-23-06, 07:23

I'm still a beginner, but I had some problems with the swirls on my Galant, which in my opinion, seemed minor. I'm still working on the technique, etc., but I had a tough time removing them on my car with SSR2.5 (several passes) and the orange propel. Bought some OC and OP that I'm planning to try next time around.