URGENT-scratch removal help

[kidsdoc]

i ran out of daylight today while using my PC buffer for the first time



i checked out my work under the bright lights of a local car dealer & some of the scratches didn't come out



what would you guys do first? try FI-II w/ the wool pad or try some of the PI-II Rubbing Compound w/ the yellow pad? (i tried FI-II &/or SMR already, both w/ yellow pads)



thanks.:xyxthumbs

 

[imported_Dave Holmes]

In my experience, multiple applications of a milder type product may be necessary. I've used Hi-Temp Light Cut and DACP with my PC and a cutting pad (Lake Country yellow pad). Both of those products have required a second or third application on scratched areas.

Just my opinion, but I'd rather do multiple apps of a milder product (and pad) than go too aggressive. I'm not familiar with 3M's products, but if their SMR is about the same as Meg's #9, it can take awhile on anything but the mildest of swirls. I've found DACP to be a very good product for light to moderate surface scratches/imperfections. Same with Hi-Temp's Light Cut. But the DACP seems to do a better job "cleaning" than Light Cut (which I found odd, as I figured any abrasive would remove contaminants/water spots, too). Both of these are very easy on, very easy off.

Personally, just the words "Rubbing Compound" makes me think of something very aggressive. Keep in mind that I'm not that familiar with 3M's compounds, so I could be way off base. If you want to try it, I'd start with a polishing pad, then go up (in pad aggressiveness) from there. Keep in mind you may need to follow up with an SMR/polishing pad combo to remove any haze or marring from the more aggressive compound.

Others may have more experience/better ideas, so hopefully more people can chime in.



Dave

 

[Accumulator]

kidsdoc- I'll try to address all of your recent posts here. Sorry to hear you're having troubles, but it's not uncommon, especially the first time you try this stuff.



Hard to say if you're using too much product or not, but I suspect you might be. I honestly can't tell you how much to use, odd, but in all the years I've been doing this I just "use as much as I need to" without taking note of it quantitatively. What you can do when you suspect "too much" is to use the extra product off the pad/panel using a towel, and/or use it to work a larger area. Not the perfect solution, don't let your area of operation get too big or it'll start to dry on you, but it's something you can try. Then use less on the next panel. Only use enough to avoid drying out too soon or having the PC "skip" on you. It doesn't take very much.



I would NOT suggest that you switch to the wool. The PI-II RC/yellow is as aggressive as *I* think you should go. Remember that some scratches are too severe to be removed. If the PI-II AND the FI-II (with yellow pads) both fail to remove the marring, you'd better consider living with it. Don't waste your time with the SMR until you've done all you're going to do with those products. Use the SMR with a white (polishing pad). In fact, for your last pass with FI-II, *I* would use a white (polishing pad) with IT, too. You might not even NEED the SMR.



Use one product. Wipe it ALL off. Switch to a new pad and get out new, clean towels. Use the next product, etc. Avoid cross-contamination. You need to get the "coarse" abrasives OFF so they don't interfere with the MILDER ones that are used subsequently.



Allocate enough time. When I read that you want to finish before the game I start thinking "uh oh". The first time you do a job like this it can take a VERY long time. Consider NOT trying to get the SG on this weekend, the AIO will hold up on its own for at least a week; you can apply the SG after the next wash. *I* would do the whole car with each "level" of polish, etc. before going to the next "level", i.e., finish with the PI-II/FI-II on the whole car before using the SMR or the AIO.