Newbie Freakin' Out after using SSR2.5 on new 2010 8 week old black G37

T

txrockstar

New member
Okay, I'm a newbie. I joined this site 6 weeks ago after purchasing a brand new 2010 G37 black on black. My first brand new car (at the tender young age of 39).

Noticed (after delivery) some minor scratches on the hood compliments of the barbaric washing at the stealership in connection with their "presentation of my car" at delivery (even before joining this site I knew to: (i) avoid washing in direct blazing sun, (ii) use two bucket approach, (iii) use a sheepskin mit, and (iv) use either my blower or the absorber to dry (which I pat dry...never drag). So I am not a complete idiot...until now.

(1) Purchased PB EX-P- Very happy with application applied 3 weeks ago (followed with Carnuba from a PB competitor--think Bullwinkle... and yes, next time I'll try PB NBlue depending on how the matter discussed below turns out)

(2) The minor scratches on the hood continued to bother me (very apparent when my standard overhead garage light fluorescents are on)

(3) Bought sample of Poorboy's Prof Polish (no affect on scratches)

(4) Then bought full size PB Black Haze (no affect in hiding scratches)

(5) Ordered on Monday (04/12/2010) sample of SSR1 and SSR2.5. Received the samples today.

(6) Today, thoroughly washed car and applied the SSR1- no affect on scratches. Then applied the SSR2.5, no affect on scratches, but to my horror, my paint is now marred and looks worse than the scratch.

I have been doing all of this by hand. The PB website says that the SSR 2.5 is clearcoat safe and can be applied by hand. Please don't tell me that I scratched/marred the clearcoat (that would not be good for all parties).

I applied the SSR 2.5 in an up and down motion and slight X motion when applying so no swirls. Will the marring/streaks go away if I have it professionally buffed out??? I don't own a polisher because I would have no idea what I am doing anyway...and would likely ruin the paint job.

Please advise as I am freakin' out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have now learned to leave the professional work to the pros...sorry for the long post, but again, I am mortified right now...yes, it's just a car...but the thrill of my first new car will not wear off for a awhile.

Thanks,

Chuck (name on recent order "Charles") from Dallas
 
thanks, I'm 39, 11 months and 18 days...

just hope I (and the SSR 2.5) did not harm the clear coat...if so, I won't be happy with PB...
 
txrockstar said:
thanks, I'm 39, 11 months and 18 days...

just hope I (and the SSR 2.5) did not harm the clear coat...if so, I won't be happy with PB...
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No, you have not done any permanent damage.

Another member just recentally experienced similar problems. You guys and your new black cars :redface:


I would recommend you getting a Griots DA w/ 2 orange pads and 2 black pads. Always start with the least aggresive method. I'm not real familar with poorboys, but I believe I would try the pro polish or SR1 with a black pad and see what gives. Maybe someone more familar with there products will chime in soon :bigups
 
If it was me. Id purchase a PC 7424, with white and black pads, several of each. Id also get some plush Microfiber towels. Up to you where you get them. You have product I use and well as several others use.

Ok back on subject. PBs products can be used by hand, but I would use a PC for quicker results. Id say by hand it could take a couple days to do correction on a car. I probably would also have worked on something not new first. Ok. If you used the 2.5 you now need to follow up with SSR1 or ProPolish. After that the Black Hole to cover up very fine scratches. hopefully everything works out for you. Just remember to work small areas at a time. try watching some videos also, I havnt as Im on dialup and have basucally learned on my own and on my older stuff first. Try to learn from others mistakes, its a lot easier than getting frustrated with yourself and having to redo something a couple times. RANDAL
 
Yep you really can't use any thing strong. with it's 2.5,105,OPT compound, Pin ASR, the list goes on and on.. on black WITH OUT STEPPING DOWN. Yes you cut your clear coat that is what it's made to do.. yes you can use it by hand I have done some touch ups with 2.5 and it doesn't look the best until you step it down and yes you have to Rub the hell out of it.

Look you have a very nice car you paid a lot f money for it do your self a favor and get the right tools to take car of it because you are in for a world of pain it you don't get a PC or flex as you own a black car detailing will not be a hobby for you it will be a way of life.
 
First off. Welcome to DC.:welcome:

Now on to your problem at hand, What did you use to apply the polish? A cotton towel? a microfiber applicator pad? A foam pad?

If you can catch your finger nail in the scratch, chances are it will not polish out.

Trying to polish out a scratch by hand is a tough undertaking. If I were you, at this point I would use a cotton terry applicator and SSR 1 and rub the heck out of the spot that is all marred from the SSR 2.5, once you get some clarity there, step to a microfiber applicator pad or towel and use your Pro Polish and lightly rub the area until it looks good. Then apply some sealant over the polished area for protection.

You stated that you joined 6 weeks ago. Have you been doing much searching and reading about paint correction? If not I suggest that you do. Learn all you can about the subject and get yourself a machine and some various pads. Do your homework before attempting to do any work on your brand new car.

Unless of course you are willing to set aside about $1000 a year to pay a proffessional detailer to keep after it for you. And then consider that 1/2 or more of those so called proffessionals are hacks and will cut 1/2 the clear off of your car and return it to you littered with swirls.

I am not being critical here but just speaking the truth so you don't have to learn this stuff the hard way like so many people do.

Good luck and have fun with it.:D :bigups
 
tuscarora dave said:
First off. Welcome to DC.:welcome:

Now on to your problem at hand, What did you use to apply the polish? A cotton towel? a microfiber applicator pad? A foam pad?

If you can catch your finger nail in the scratch, chances are it will not polish out.

Trying to polish out a scratch by hand is a tough undertaking. If I were you, at this point I would use a cotton terry applicator and SSR 1 and rub the heck out of the spot that is all marred from the SSR 2.5, once you get some clarity there, step to a microfiber applicator pad or towel and use your Pro Polish and lightly rub the area until it looks good. Then apply some sealant over the polished area for protection.

You stated that you joined 6 weeks ago. Have you been doing much searching and reading about paint correction? If not I suggest that you do. Learn all you can about the subject and get yourself a machine and some various pads. Do your homework before attempting to do any work on your brand new car.

Unless of course you are willing to set aside about $1000 a year to pay a proffessional detailer to keep after it for you. And then consider that 1/2 or more of those so called proffessionals are hacks and will cut 1/2 the clear off of your car and return it to you littered with swirls.

I am not being critical here but just speaking the truth so you don't have to learn this stuff the hard way like so many people do.

Good luck and have fun with it.:D :bigups
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Wow Dave, you sure have become quite the expert in this field. Just think, only 18 months ago your supplier was Walmart :D
 
(901) said:
Wow Dave, you sure have become quite the expert in this field. Just think, only 18 months ago your supplier was Walmart :D
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It's been a bit longer than 18 months but who's counting..? I just looked back through my threads and to my surprise it's been only 20 months. It seems like so much longer than that. Well 5 polishers later and I don't know how many full details later combined with countless hours of reading here and at AG and applying that knowledge, I guess I have come a long way but I don't know if I would go as far as calling myself an expert.

I guess when you are reinvesting 50% of the take you tend to grow pretty fast.

Well if that was a compliment, thanks.
 
You'll be fine, you just need to get a PC and hone your skills.
Where do you live, a lot of guys here are willing to help and show off their skills.
 
I'll have to ask the obvious, but have you contacted Poorboy Steve yet? He's very "reachable" and no one knows his products like he does. He'll walk you through what you need to do.

You can do what you're wanting to do by hand, it's just going to tale you a while. Be patient, take your time and make it a multiple step project.

And if this is a black daily driver, go ahead and get the notion out of your head that you can keep it 100% defect free. Most likely ain't gonna happen.
 
It is totally normal for your black vehicle to look hazed after using the SSR 2.5. I've used it by machine and if you let it break down long enough you really dont get any hazing, but by hand I can understand that... To fix it you should use SSR 2.5 in a light pressure circular motion over the area you messed up on, then follow it with SSR1 lightly, and Black Hole if you feel like it....You should definitly consider buying a buffer though. Get the Porter Cable, its very easy to learn on and the only way you are going to mess up is if you throw it at the car. Very easy machine to learn on, thats what I first started out with, and still use it on most of the vehicles I work on. Its pretty inexpensive, if you buy the 7424 model you can pick it up new for about $100 if you shop around. People will probably try to talk you into the Flex, and even though its a great machine its 3 times as much and it doesn't sound like you will be running a business, so the Porter Cable will suit you just fine. Good Luck!
 
Like others have said, you need to get a polisher of some sort. A Porter Cable 7424 is pretty idiot proof. I am sure there are some folks here from Dallas that could help you out and get you going.
 
Where are you located? Maybe someone on the forum can give you a hand? I would not go off blamming PB for the marring. Detailing, especially black is a big learning curve. By hand makes things difficult to boot.
 
Well sounds like you've had some good recommendations. I'm just going to back them up it seems like.
First off Poorboy's has some great products as most of my arsenal has become PB's. SSR2.5 like most of PB's polishes and compounds breaks down (or diminishes) as u use it. In SSR2.5's case it starts out aggressive and then it gets finer as you work with it. Using a DA or rotary polisher accomplishes this very easily. Hand application is a bit harder to do and takes time. Especially on a black car!! So go back over the marred area again with SSR2.5 and work it longer with medium pressure to start and getting lighter as you work it in using a circular motion. Then switch to SSR1 and work that in just like SSR2.5. Finish off with Black Hole and then wax. It should look pretty good.
Give yourself some time to learn these products especially on black. It's a hard color to correct scratches on even for experienced detailers.
It's also been said in previous posts, give Steve a call at Poorboy's. He's a great guy to talk to that can help you with any problem that you may have.

Just keep telling yourself... "Black is beautiful!!"

Chubs
 
Redwings97 said:
Since I am in the Dallas area, I sent Rock star a PM to let him know I would be happy to meet up with him and help him out.
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Good man Trent.:bigups:bigups To the OP, This guy will definately get the results you are looking for. You can learn a lot from him if you pay attention.

I am glad to see that you will be getting straightened out.:yay
 
Thanks everyone for the responses... I have written to him by e-mail and sent this response should he not return to view this thread...

Poorboy said:
Sorry to hear of your headaches. Working by hand takes patience and the correct procedure. You will need either a good collection of cotton towels or foam hand polishing pads. You were correct to work back and forth. Do not polish in circles by hand or you will create more problems. You must work very small areas at a time with SSR2.5 by hand. I'm talking inches not panels!!! Working on black is also very tricky as it shows everything. You must work the SSR2.5 until it basically disappears. If you stop early you will have hazing and more scuffing as you will not have broken down the diminishing abrasives. After the swirls / scratches have been removed or minimized, you must follow with either SSR2 or SSR1 or Professional Polish in the same manor (back and forth in small sections). When you are finished, there should be no haze but there is a possibility of some minor swirls or scratches left behind as working by hand is no match for a machine unless you have a lot of experience working by hand. This is where Black Hole comes in to help fill and hide. You must apply Black Hole with a soft towel, but use the same pressure and motion as the polish. Then apply the Natty's Blue and your black should look like new or better.
I would recommend buying a machine like the Porter Cable 7424xp or a Flex XC3401. You have obviously invested a good dollar in buying the vehicle and it would be a good idea to invest in the tools to maintain its beauty and value.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
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It would be great if he can hook up with Trent :bigups
 
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