Micro-Marring on Black

this thread has me thinking how we talk about starting at least agressive and then moving to more aggressive, now i am just asking cuz i am a total amature, but is it ever possible that some clears are so soft that we need to be even less agressive? say a very mild cleaner or polish and a finishing pad or something to get better results, or even just # 81 hand polish to get rid of the very last marring ?
 
Bill, I've been tempted to hit it with some power gloss. I just don't like using that stuff b/c it's super aggressive, but maybe that's what I need to do.. Any other product suggestions?
 
MGM,

At this point, on an inconspicuous area, I'd give it a shot. I have a Ceramiclear polish similar to Power Gloss from Menzerna, my other most aggressive stuff is 1z Ultra.
 
Here's what I would do...

Dial up the speed a touch. I do all of my buffing at 1500rpm and only go higher for heavy compounding.

Wash the pad with dawn and simple green, wring out and spin dry...Mist 2 spritz of a carnauaba free QD onto the pads and proceed to dab 2-4 nickel sized polish dabs on the pad. Leave thin beads on the paint with polish (8-12 inches long, 8 inches apart). Start in and apply light to medium pressure passing over the surface at about 2-3 seconds per foot (rather slow and steady). Use over lapping passes.

My product of choice from your arsenal would be Menzerna MicroPolish since it is best used via rotary. Overlap each pass, then go back to where you started and use less pressure and overlap each pass. The polish should almost disappear. Wipe it away with a soft MF, and spritz any problem areas with QD.

If this doesn't work, report back...I have honeslty had outstanding results with that procedure.

-Sean
 
Sean,

Thanks for your help. I almost gave up. Let me know where to send the check.

1500RPM and your process did the trick. I rarely run the rotary at this speed but you gave me the confidence and pushed me over the cliff!
The flashlight test shows that I've removed a good deal of the marring. It's not perfect, but it sure is a drastic improvement.

On a side note.... I thought it was a cardinal sin to apply products with a damp pad? I stand corrected because your process works.

Thankfully my neighbor helped my out last night, and we got a pretty good jump on things. I think he felt sorry for me because I've been chasing this around for hours on end all week and basically living in my garage. He ran power gloss over the truck via a PC, using an orange power pad. I followed him with the rotary using a blue polish pad and Intensive Polish. All panels required 2 applications of IP, a few spots needed 3. I followed up with a coat of FPII @ 1300RPM. Tonight I have to finish about 1/3 of the truck with IP, FPII, and will either top it with FMJ or sandpaper & dirty rags, depending on whether or not I want to go through this hell again!! We didn't finish up until 2am, and I'm seeing double this morning. I hope the neighbors didn't see me washing off the sling in the wee hours of the night 


I suspect that I caused my marring issue by using a cutting pad with an aggressive polish.

When I finish (hopefully this weekend), I'll take a few photos to share.
 
:beer cheers glad you got it to work, after reading seans posts and looking at all his pics i would love to watch him on a few details, i think he is amazing in his work and also the time he takes to write up all his processes and help the rest of us out
 
good to hear it got better...using a moist or damp pad with a polish will usually make it more aggressive as it will dry up the solvents faster. working at night, this might be a better thing...food for thought:)
 
Scottlee: Ditto your comments. Sean is very talented and selfless.

Poorboy: Thanks. You should ask my wife how many hours a week I spend in the garage tinkering with polish, wax, sealers, pads, buffers, different combinations etc... I was really getting discouraged. I'm sure that I caused 99% of my problem by using an aggressive pad/product combo and not inspecting the paint carefully. I'm just glad that I it was my car and not a friends or customers.

On your comment about a damp pad...

You know, sometimes common sense escapes me. I mist QD on polish (especially menzerna) to rejuvenate it. I also mist a squirt or two on the pad at the start. I guess that's really no different that starting with a damp pad is it. Live and learn!
 
mgm: I am glad this worked out for ya :) . With Menzerna I found that you have to work it a lil faster than other polishes (1500 rpm), so keep that in mind for their whole line :)

Thanks for the compliments too :D
 
Bill - Too funny! Thanks for the laugh.

I finished up the truck this weekend and will post pictures when I get back from a business trip next week.

After the polishing steps (thanks again Sean), I glazed it with VM and sealed it using EX-P. It looks A LOT better, and my OCD has calmed down a bit.
 
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