Polished, micro-scratches remain!

M

mgates

New member
I just finished hand polish/wax on my wife's '04 black accord. Was hoping to get rid of some fine micro-scratches on the hood (probably due to debris and terry towels during drying by a washing service she used to use).



I used 1Z PP by hand with a cotton terry applicator, wiping off with a fine terry mf. I did the hood 3 times in a row, applying moderately firm pressure and alternating direction each new pass (up-down, left-right). However, afterwards I could still see these scratches under the florescent lighting in the garage. They were less noticable in the sunlight, but still there. I decided to call it a day and apply the wax (meg #16) and deal with them later.



I did the fingernail test on the hood, and there are 2-3 scrathes that barely catch, but most are too shallow to feel at all. I would like to try to reduce them next time I polish/wax in a few months and would appreciate any tips you guys might have. Is there anything else I can try short of using a PC? Maybe a different applicator and/or using more pressure? Should I try a more aggresive polish?



Thanks in advance!



Mitch
 
"Is there anything else I can try short of using a PC?"



Make an appointment with Scottwax?....... :D





Going more agressive with anything more that 1Z PP probably won't help you much as the abrasives will need heat and pressure to break down - something you would be unlikely to achieve by hand alone.



Take the plunge and get a PC - it will save you a lot of sweat equity AND give you a fine finish at the same time.
 
Maybe you could try a more aggressive polish, still working by hand. Though as Gonzo said, the PC is gonna be a good idea.



I've used 1Z's Ultra Polish by hand. It breaks down OK, but it does leave some marring of its own. No biggie, the PP removes that just fine. Since the Accord isn't known for extra-hard clear, if the UP won't remove something, even by hand, I'd say maybe you oughta just live with it.
 
I've had real good results using Meguiars DACP, or Clearkote's Blue Moose (as of yet, still not available for sale) followed by DACP by hand but I wouldn't suggest using polishes more aggressive without using a PC.
 
I had a similar issue with the 1Z Paint Polish with my PC at first, then I switched to a foam pad and worked the polish more, and Voila', no more micromarring.



My suggestion, work it longer. Actually, if you are working my hand, I would work the Ultra, expecting the finish to look worse when I finished wiht the Ultra, then get the PP out and work it till it is about dry. That should work pretty well.
 
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