swirls aren't coming out, now what?

L

lambo G

New member
I have a Lamborghini Gallardo with swirls and spider webs. I used a PC with the stock white pad and Menz IP and Meg Scratch X, speed setting from 3.5 to 5, applying 10-12 lbs of pressure including the weight of the PC. The swirls are not coming out. I re-applied 3 times and there's very little improvement. I don't think the clearcoat is that hard. I must be doing something wrong.



Any advice?
 
I would not use that stock white pad on my washing machine let alone a Lamborghini



with a PC most of the time you should be on speed 6 for polishing



IMO pay a pro of fellow autopian for a few hours of how withn the

PC.....it would be a whole lot cheaper then messing up that car
 
If you can find a Pro Autopian that'll maybe teach you while you watch that'll be better. I've been doing that for the past 2 details upon the owners request...
 
lambo G said:
I have a Lamborghini Gallardo with swirls and spider webs. I used a PC with the stock white pad and Menz IP and Meg Scratch X, speed setting from 3.5 to 5, applying 10-12 lbs of pressure including the weight of the PC. The swirls are not coming out. I re-applied 3 times and there's very little improvement. I don't think the clearcoat is that hard. I must be doing something wrong.



Any advice?
Click to expand...





Where are you located? If you'll check the regional forums, there are a lot of detailing meets from time to time in various places where guys help each other with techniques.
 
I have a feeling this pad is too mild. I can't think of anything else I'm doing wrong. You shouldn't need to run the PC on 6 to remove very minor swirls. 3.5-5 is the recommended range for swirls



I'm gonna try a yellow pad
 
lambo G said:
I have a feeling this pad is too mild. I can't think of anything else I'm doing wrong. You shouldn't need to run the PC on 6 to remove very minor swirls. 3.5-5 is the recommended range for swirls



I'm gonna try a yellow pad
Click to expand...



Well...that might be true on single stage paint, but not on modern cars with 2-stage paint.



Clearcoat is a LOT harder (most of the time) than most people realize. Think about it, you're taking FOAM and using that to cut into a fairly hard surface...heh.



A PC won't even get at a good portion of scratches and deep swirls in some cases, at all.



So, that said...expect to use speed 5 pretty much always when doing anything but applying wax. Speed 6 is not recommended by most makers of PC machines, so play at your own risk there.



The next issue that sticks out to me is your product choice, both are VERY mild. You need to step up to something more aggressive, IMO.



The same goes for the pad...any info on what it is? A white polishing pad typically offers VERY little cut at all.
 
I think the choice of pad is critical, as you must match the aggressiveness of the pad to the polish... And I would follow IP (on a cutting pad) with FPII (on a polishing/finishing pad)... Good luck and post some before/after pics...
 
lambo G said:
I have a feeling this pad is too mild. I can't think of anything else I'm doing wrong. You shouldn't need to run the PC on 6 to remove very minor swirls. 3.5-5 is the recommended range for swirls



I'm gonna try a yellow pad
Click to expand...



Speeds 1-4 are worthless for swirl removeing. You have top step up to 4 or 5.5 inch pads and speed 5-6 to remove swirls with a PC. Get a medium polish and a finishing polish. Then wax or seal.
 
wannafbody said:
Speeds 1-4 are worthless for swirl removeing. You have top step up to 4 or 5.5 inch pads and speed 5-6 to remove swirls with a PC. Get a medium polish and a finishing polish. Then wax or seal.
Click to expand...



+1



You shouldn't have to put that much pressure on the PC either. I would leave this job to a professional as well.
 
You can always use M105 and a wool pad if all else fails. Seems that italian paints are pretty darn hard. I detailed someone's vespa before and it was rock hard stuff that only 3M rubbing compound could touch. I didn't have M105 at the time.
 
I would have to say the Menz IP with a 4 inch orange or yellow pad should show some improvement in your finish. With an exotic car such as that one I would think you could invest in a little first hand teaching on how to use that PC for optimum results.



Pat.
 
what's worked for me on my hard audi paint are 4" pads with a pc...much better for paint correction than the larger ones. get a couple of whites and orange pads. try the white first and it that doesn't do, migrate to orange. currently using wolfgang 3.0 total swirl remover and its working just fine. nice working time too and won't dust like its cousin menzerna 106ff (both are made by the same company).



also, as mentioned, you might want to pay a pro detailer to get out the swirls and watch the procedure. they will usually let you try it as well and give pointers. for a lambo it doesn't make $ense to experiment without the proper knowledge and technique.



good luck.
 
lambo G said:
You shouldn't need to run the PC on 6 to remove very minor swirls. 3.5-5 is the recommended range for swirls
Click to expand...



Not to be rude but you #1 are using a pad that I would never use on a yugo (nor have I ever heard of an autopian using the pad that comes with the PC).



Then, people that HAVE used the PC to remove swirls give you their 1st hand knowledge on how to remove the swirls and then you say they are wrong and speed 6 is not needed:confused: WOW



For the record, speed 6 on a pc is your friend, and as has been already stated the white stock pad is crap and you should get yourself some smaller pads... the PC is not a powerhouse so the smaller diameter pads assists with correction...
 
lambo G said:
I have a feeling this pad is too mild. I can't think of anything else I'm doing wrong. You shouldn't need to run the PC on 6 to remove very minor swirls. 3.5-5 is the recommended range for swirls



I'm gonna try a yellow pad
Click to expand...



3.5-5 is recomeded by who?(it comes from the Meg board so they can cover ther AZZ)

anyone that has spent any time with a PC will tell you 6 is the only speed



if you have minor swils a yellow pad is too much
 
I detail lambo's everyday.I would find someone that has experienced in swirl removal and let them do it and watchthe process so the next time you have an idea on how to do it and keep it from happening again.Lambo paint is handled very different from the manufacturer than other vehicles.GOOD LUCK.
 
I found out from another detailer that the Gallardo's clearcoat is very hard and they use Menz polish for ceramic cc. Menz IP is too mild.



The problem with pro detailers is, how do you know they have experience with exotic cars? Anyone can claim to be a pro. With me, I start very mild and patiently work my way up. In fact I started so mild there was practically no effect on the clearcoat. Some supposed-pro can show up with a rotary and 3M compound and I'd probably freak out because how am I supposed to know he won't damage the CC.



Anyway, watching a pro won't help because most of them use rotaries anyway.
 
lambo G - Welcome to Autopia!

There's a big difference between an "off the street" Pro & an Autopian Pro. Lambos are painted by hand, don't have Ceramic clear & are on the softer side of paint hardness. Here's my suggestions:

-Find an Autopian Pro (feel free to PM me for references near you or post your location)

or

-PC at speed 6 with a 4 inch orange pad with Menzerna IP is a favorite amoung people who do paint correction via PC. I'd do some searching here for processes and techniques. Orange is a nice pad for cutting, but you'll need to follow with a softer finishing pad.



Unless you have a severe learning disability, you won't harm your finish with a PC, especially with a polish. Test a small area and see what works best. Please ask away if you come across any more questions. We're here to help.
 
Detailing and paint correction are guided by a process and are rarely dependent on product brand name or vehicle make. Look for a good detailer here (the best place to find one) and if you are unsure just PM some other members for a reference. It would be much better than getting frustrated and possibly messing something up.



FWIW, my PC only comes off speed six when I am waxing. Good luck.



Edit: Wow. David beat me by one minute.
 
I see you still having problems.I use a rotary buffer but lambos paint is wet sanded and buffed at the manufacturer.If you look at some of the panels you have no orange peel but in some areas like close to the edge you have some.You can PM me.I hope you can get your car looking the way it should.I know it can be done.
 
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