Darn scratches remain!

Z

ZoomBoy

New member
So I finally picked up a UDM a month or so ago, I also purchased the entire line of DAS pads for it (white, orange, green, blue) and some Sonus SFX 2 and 3.



I've been hitting my Civic with the orange pad all over and it's looking excellent, even though the paint was in great shape before hand.



I have scratches on my back bumper just below the hatch as the previous owner didn't really care too much about scratching his hockey equipment on my future car.



These scratches aren't even deep IMO, I can't feel them with my fingernail nor really at all but they can be seen. I've hit my bumper with the orange and white pad (harshest pad for DAS) at speeds 5 at least with my UDM and they still remain.



Is the SFX 2 to blame or am I just doing something wrong? I'd love to get these scratches out!
 
Smaller area of the pad will let you apply greater pressure. How did the car turned out with 6" pads ? I'm planning on doing mine for the first time unsure if I should get 5.5 or 4" i bet 4" are a little more extra work...
 
AdrianPL said:
i bet 4" are a little more extra work...
Click to expand...



IMO if the paint is hard

4" pads are less workmbecause they can do in 2 passes

the same amout of work that would take 3-4 passes with larger pads

on my car
 
Well, like I mentioned my car already had really good paint surprisingly. I clay barred the car a day before I hit it with the UDM and I surprisingly probably didn't need to clay even though it has gone an entire winter outside between clays.



It's really hard to see the polish breaking down on my silver car, plus the fact that I'm new to it I'm just guessing when to stop polishing, but the pads are great. The only problem is getting into tighter spots is very tough.



I don't think I'll be polishing my car anytime soon again though. It's taken me a couple of hours a day for the past 2 days to just get 3/4 of my car done, I haven't even waxed it yet (I don't imagine that will take long) and my hands get really swollen from the UDM vibrations too :help:
 
ZoomBoy said:
Is the SFX 2 to blame or am I just doing something wrong? I'd love to get these scratches out!
Click to expand...



I bought the SFX line to give it a try with my PC DA. So far I haven't had any luck with the correction that I'm attempting. It would seem that the SFX line is not aggressive enough for my paint. From what I've read here, many have recommended it for soft paints (which mine is not). That said, because I'm new to the detailing addiction I've been trying to figure out if it is my technique. Unfortunately, multiple passes with more pressure, 4" pads, less and more product have not made a real improvement. I'm going to try something else more aggressive.



I'm either going to use the SFX line on a family members Lexus, or try to return the line. :cry:
 
The thing is, my paint is soft. It's Honda paint in which everyone says is very soft, so I have no idea maybe I should use more pressure...
 
ZoomBoy said:
The thing is, my paint is soft. It's Honda paint in which everyone says is very soft, so I have no idea maybe I should use more pressure...
Click to expand...



could be play around a little ..more pressure, slower passes, different pad/polish combos





just take you time and use your head
 
I'm really new to detailing having just finished my first couple of doors, wing and hood (bonnet) for the first time with a D/A before getting rained off (Alas no garage!) so just a quick thought from a NOOB.



I too am using the sonus line but for my car - which has never been properly polished before (4 yo) - I've used the SFX 1 paint correction step and then SFX 2 and have seen fair results for a first hit.



I got the impression from sonus that SFX 2 (which you said you used) is not really for scratch removal, only swirls and light marring.



I tried to attach my first ever before and after pics but the upload kept failing; my process was wash, dry, clay, acrylic spritz wipedown, SFX 1 w/orange pad, SFX 2 w/green pad, acrylic spritz wipedown, KAIO, acrylic spritz wipedown, Autoglym SGP tomorrow (I'm gonna try two coats) and Carnauba after that.
 
So just a little update, I ended up trying a couple of scratches again last night with the UDM and more pressure. Surprisingly I got one out that I didn't think would happen, with just an orange pad.



I tried more pressure on my rear bumper that has more hairline scratches but they wouldn't budge. I think SFX 1 would help here definitely.



At least now I'm done buffing so I can apply some wax and call it a day. I have two kinds, Collinite Liquid Insulator and Megs #26, what would you guys recommend?
 
One more quick dumb question: Do I really need to do a pass with the green pad and the SFX 3? My car looks pretty damn good now and I'm pleased with it, would there be any point to another session or can I just throw the wax on now?
 
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