What am I doing wrong here? *pic*

95legend · 05-11-07, 05:56

Hi guys. I just tried out rotary for the first time today. I detailed the hood of my car because it's heavily swirled. First of all, here are the details:

-Lexus GS400 with Black with no clear coat
-Hitachi SP18VA Rotary @ 1300ish RPM (moving about 1.5ft/sec)
-Lake Country light cutting pad (white)
-Lake Country finishing/polishing pad (black)
-Meguiars DACP #83
-3M Rubbing Compound

The problem I'm experiencing is very light marring. I've tried these combinations so far:

-White pad with DACP
-White pad with 3M
-Black pad with DACP
-Black pad with 3M
-White pad with DACP followed by Black pad with DACP again.
-White pad with 3M followed by Black pad with DACP

Here is how my car turned out (ignore rock chips and dry clumps of DACP):

When I used the 3M instead of the DACP, it worked better. The DACP quickly dried out and I had problem with the rotary skipping. Not to mention, the DACP left clumps of dry polish on my car. I had to use a QD to get rid of it. I rule out using DACP with a rotary. From now on, the DACP only gets used with the PC.

So what's wrong here? Am I moving too fast/slow? Is the 3M too abrasive? Is it the pad?

Any tips would be better than no tips at all.

Thanks!

SpoiledMan · 05-11-07, 06:05

What do you have for a finishing polish?

95legend · 05-11-07, 06:09

I didn't use one. the 3M and DACP are the only polishes I have.

I figured I was going to need one. I've been meaning to ask for recommendation in my first post, but I forgot.

So is the lack of finishing polish my problem?

SpoiledMan · 05-11-07, 06:24

Yeah, you're going to need something less abrasive than what you have to finish it out nice and clear. Where are you located?

95legend · 05-11-07, 06:35

I'm in Socal. What a coincidence!

What do you recommend for a lighter polish? I'm guessing it should be applied with the black finish/polishing pad?

SpoiledMan · 05-11-07, 06:57

...and I have a 95 Legend as well.

What part? I have some FPII that you can get in on.

95legend · 05-11-07, 07:23

i had a 92 legend 2 years ago

themightytimmah · 05-11-07, 07:51

I think it's the speed - 1.5ft/sec is way fast. I usually go 6in/sec or sometimes less to finish out. Try 1500rpm, 6-9"/sec and FPII on a LC black.

95legend · 05-11-07, 08:00

I was aftraid of going that slow because you hear all these stories about paint burning if you most too slow and such. I'll give 6"/sec a try.

Maybe thats why I'm experiencing some skipping problem. I can't seem to get the pad flat on the hood. If I do that, the rotary starts to spin around and go all over the place. I have to keep it at a very very slight angle.

But no more DACP with rotary for me. Its time for a new light polish. the 3M works great for my swirl problem (which is worse in person), but it did feel abrasive to my fingers when I was rubbing it. It's been a nightmare

SpoiledMan · 05-11-07, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

I think it's the speed - 1.5ft/sec is way fast. I usually go 6in/sec or sometimes less to finish out. Try 1500rpm, 6-9"/sec and FPII on a LC black.

It's not going to matter what speed he uses/moves working with that level of abrasives.

He needs a finishing polish.

I ask again. Where are you in So Cal?

95legend · 05-11-07, 08:06

714 area...

I think i'm going to get myself some lighter polish then. But majority of my swirls are gone. Never have I gotten rid of swirls so fast

David Fermani · 05-12-07, 05:18

I don't think a final finishing black foam pad is going to take out 3M compounding marks. You need another step in between with a stiffer pad.