IP with PC frustration...

M

Mungo

New member
First time using my PC and first time with IP. My '05 black sierra denali just has light swirling some light scratching from over use of a CA duster this past winter.



For the life of me I cannot get all of the swirls out with IP. I am using a yellow SFX pad and have tried the PC between 3 and 5. On the hood I did 2 passes with IP and then tried FPII on top and while it is much better. Most people wouldnt even see it, I want them all gone. Is GM's clearcoat that hard?



Any hints or recommendations are GREATLY welcomed.
 
Using a slightly more aggressive method of application like a 4" spot pad, or a rotary, might yield more cutting power. Or you could step up to a slightly more aggressive polish. Even products with about the same level of cut are slightly different. For instance, I find 3M FI-II to have slightly more cut. It has been discussed that something like Meguiars DACP is about as aggressive as you want to go with a PC.



But at the end of the day, how badly do you want to remove these swirls? I would probably just leave them, or try covering them up with some kind of glaze if possible. IP + cutting pad is not something I'd like to do that often, but it's up to you to come up with a compromise.
 
Right now I am fairly determined to remove these swirls. Thats the reason I got the PC. What I have right now is pretty nice and most (not you guys!) would be happy with it. I thought, given the depth of these, that this would be a cakewalk. Not the case.



I am using the PC for the first time, but it seems pretty straight forward. I'm certianly not considering a rotary at this point. I guess I could consider taking a ride to Pep Boys in the morning and pick up some 3M SMR. Actually, I have a #9 sitting about 4 feet away from me. I'll try that right now...
 
Both 3M SMR and Meguiar's #9 have less cutting ability than IP IMO. Plus #9 will fool you a bit with all of its filler oils.



I would probably try refining your IP technique if possible, then stepping up to something like DACP. SMR won't do what you want.
 
Always use the PC on speed 6 for rough polishing. Also, try putting a little weight on to the machine, just until it starts to bog, but before it stops spinning. You might want to try Meg's #83 DACP, if the IP doesn't work for you. Mezerna's stuff tends to work better by rotary.



P.S. I'm a big Mezerna fan ever since I switched away from my PC. I'd be happy to trade you some Poorboy's polishes for the IP and FPII, if you want. PB's SSR's are just about the best polishes for PC application. Drop me a PM if you're interested.
 
I thought they were easy to work with as well. I will try upping the speed even further. Nothing I've read mentioned using it on 6. I had read 3.5-4 but went up to 5 when nothing was working. I was looking for the hazing that I've read about but never got that.



themightytimmah, I may take you up on your offer. I dont doubt that some of what I am experiencing is due to my lack of experience. One more try this morning though. I'll let you know.
 
Mungo, depending on the hardness of the paint you may need to step up to #83, MPP, or SSR2.5.



My advice differs from some other recommendations. I use Menzerna a lot and think you should add more polish, not less. It'll give you more work time, cut for longer, reduce dusting, and result in a better finish.



Speed 5 always works for me, but try 6 with the extra polish.



BTW, how much are you using?
 
I think I've tried every combination and really no luck. I tried with just a little and tried with alot. I never had any sling off but I think I used it pretty liberally in spots just trying different things. I did up the speed to 6 and think I saw a little improvement but not much. I also leaned on it alot more but that didnt yield any better results. Oh well...



Again, my paint was in good shape but I wanted to make it nearly perfect. I think I was expecting too much for my first time with a PC.



Now my decision is do I go 2 coats of z5 and top with z2pro or go with nxt techwax topped with 16 paste. What to do!



I'm thinking the z5 hasa enough to cover up what is left.
 
NXT has Cleaning and not Polishing properties. It will HIDE swirls but not remove them. Black is THE hardest color to make perfect. Especially if it is a daily driver. It is very hard to keep swirl free. I know I have two black cars. An 03 silverado and a mazda6s. Both black and very hard to keep perfect. My GM is pretty hard stuff and is a bear to work on with a PC. This is after SSR2.5, CK's RMG, and PB's Nattys:

Before:

634before_swirls-med.jpg




After:

634after_swirls-med.jpg
 
I don't think Z5 will do much to hide any swirls if IP cannot get to them. But maybe. :nixweiss



Apparently you can spritz some water on the pad to increase the cutting ability.
 
Sorry to sound so negative, but I induced light marring lines with IP and the SFX3 pad, and I tried to keep it at 3 and work the product like I always do with IP. BAD RESULTS...and a few lines on the side glass I hit to se what would happen to the mineral build up. Never had that window damage before with ANY polish pad I ever used....something wrong with IP and SFX3 pad combo, in my mind at least.



DACP, SSR2.5 and IP with an ORANGE pad never gave anything but great results on my EMRON Black paint.

Something WRONG with using that SFX3 pad with IP. Maybe the Sonus polish MADE for that pad works, but....I had a bad experience with that pad. The fact you ran it 3-5 makes me gasp at what it did to your paint. 6 will be a death blow, I would bet.(I tried it on a section at that range....I KNOW WHAT LINES YOU ARE SEEING....)



GET AN ORANGE PAD some DACP or SSR2.5 or use the IP again and SLOWLY over the months ahead work out the problem with a prolonged gentle campaign of reduction. You might over do the CC leveling trying to fix the marring all at once. Just my limited guess at your problem and a possible solution. I hope soemone else can help you more than my poor effforts have. Good luck.
 
JustinTRW said:
Using a slightly more aggressive method of application like a 4" spot pad, or a rotary, might yield more cutting power. Or you could step up to a slightly more aggressive polish. Even products with about the same level of cut are slightly different. For instance, I find 3M FI-II to have slightly more cut. It has been discussed that something like Meguiars DACP is about as aggressive as you want to go with a PC.



But at the end of the day, how badly do you want to remove these swirls? I would probably just leave them, or try covering them up with some kind of glaze if possible. IP + cutting pad is not something I'd like to do that often, but it's up to you to come up with a compromise.
Click to expand...



Maybe you could use some AIO to soften the visual prominence of the defects.... I know the PC puts a limit on how aggressive you can be in polishing, and I see AIO as a fine compromise:xyxthumbs
 
Well I can say that although the IP and FPII didnt work as I had hoped, my truck does look the best it ever has. While the imperfections arent gone they are certainly much improved. I did a pass with IP and then FPII, z6, z5/zfx, z6, z5,z6. I will top off with z8 tomorrow. I had planned to top off with z2pro but ran out of time and we are supposed to get rain tomorrow so I want to make sure theres time to cure. I'll take care of the z2pro in the next week.



I will say that I forgot how much I love Zaino. Applying it by PC is an absolute joy and I have never been able to spread it so thin by hand.



I'll take some pics tomorrow morning. Thanks for the help and comments everyone.
 
One thing I notice on black cars is that if you get lazy and put on a long lasting sealant like Ziano and don't wax your car for 4-6 months is that the daily use of the car introduces more swrils. I suggest that you should top the car every month with either your ziano or another nice topper like P21S, Natty, #26.
 
That's probably only true if you introduce a lot of swirls from washing to begin with. Extra coats may protect from marring somewhat, but I would think the swirls you introduce by waxing 4-6 times more often could even it out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top