Dealer installed swirls need help

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Evenflow

New member
Hey all, long time member here. Haven't detailed in probably seven years or so. I am a bit out of touch with the latest and greatest products. Anyways recently picked up a new Mazda 6 in jet black mica. Told the dealer not to wash or detail it, but it appears they did anyways. I have some minor swirls, pics attached. I think its a job easy enough for the PC. What are the best pads/polish now a day? I remember Optimum and LC being the best when I was really really into this stuff. Anyways these swirls are robbing my new car of its deep paint color. How should I attack this? Since the car is brand new I am planning on a one step polish and straight to wax. Is M80 still a good one step polish? Going to top with paste Souveran. What pad to use for the M80? Thanks!


 


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Right now I'm still using the LC pads (orange for your needs )and Optimum polish, god working time and no dust. You sure you want to go with Souveran? I'd go with a sealant unless your willing to do it often. JMTC
 
Thanks for the reply. You don't think Optimum is to much of a heavy cut for those swirls? I think my bottle of Optimum is close to six years old now I will have to check to see if its still good lol.


 


I am going to try Souveran first just to see the depth of the paint, may do a sealant before hand. Thinking about Meguiars #16 as well for longevity and since we have had about a solid week and half of pure rain.
 
The Polish on a white or orange pad isnt harsh at all , I use it all the time . You still have some #16 too huh? Just did it over Klasse SG on my burgundy Civic.
 
I will try out the Optimum on a white pad first see what kind of difference it makes. If it's not helping I will try an orange pad. Thanks for the recommendation.


 


I think I still have about four tins of Meguiars #16 in the garage somewhere. I literally have not done any detailing in about eight years. Haven't had a nice car worth while detailing.
 
Yup I remember ordering this stuff from a detailing shop in Abilene, TX. Got their last few tins many many years ago.


 


So it looks like my optimum stuff isn't good anymore. I do have some Poorboys SSR1/SSR2 that appears to be in good shape. May have to give that a shot. The swirls don't look to bad, no?
 
You might want to take a look at HD Polish.   Finishes really well on black and has some cut to it with a white or orange pad.   The HD Pads (same as Buff & Shine) are also very good--the orange finishes like an LC white.  Works well on my hard as nails VW paint.
 
evenflow- You won't go wrong with either the Optimum or the HD Polish.


 


And yeah, M16 is still a good choice; I continue to use it on my wife's A8.
 
Optimum Hyper Polish, HD Polish, or M205 are great 1 step polishes. Paired with a polish pad (LC Orange or white), or Megs finishing microfiber pads are awesome. 


 


I'd suggest topping it with a sealant, allow it to cure then top that with whatever wax you'd like. The sealant will give you long term durability and then the wax will give you the wet looks your looking for. 


 


My go to sealants are Blackfire wet diamond or Opti-Seal. I rarely use paste waxes anymore due to most have a lack of durability. But still have a few tins laying around. 
 
BTW--HD Poxy (which is a hybrid sealant/Montan wax looks fantastic on black after HD Polish--then top with HD Express Gloss Enhancer Wax (spray)-- then every 4-6 weeks hit it with HD Express for a great look and durability.
 
So I have a lot of Menzerna Intensive Polish left, is that polish good enough for a one step LSP ready finish w/ a white polishing pad? Just trying to save some money and not order m205.
 
IP might be ok on a white pad at very light pressure and at 4 or 5 on the PC .. do a small test spot. Myself I don't use M205 etc any more .. Low working time and too dusty .. I use Optimum Polish or 3D polish.
 
evenflow- I doubt the IP would satisfy *me*, but then I'm not always satisfied with M205!


 


And BTW, I'd sure consider Optimum or HD Polish instead of M205, which I've basicaly quit using/recommending...got a whole gallon if it sitting here that I'll never use now that there are such better alternatives.
 
Woops I pulled the trigger last night on some M205 (just the 8oz bottle for $10), a flat white LC 5.5" pad. I will see what I can get to work out of the M205 and if need upgade to the Optimum.
 
evenflow- Well, plenty of people really like the M205, I might be in the minority on this one...my big gripe with it is all the Trade Secret Oils it leaves behind.
 
Evenflow, you need to be pretty conservative with those 4 tins of #16.  At the rate you're going through it, you're going to run out in about 150 years or so, then you're screwed.
 
Evenflow:


I'm with Accumulator on the M205 and the Trade Secret Oils (TSOs) used as a lubricant with the abrasives.


Be sure to use some type of Prep-solvent after polishing. Some here use isopropyl alcohol (IPA), others use Kleen-Strip Prep-sol, or CarPro's Eraser.


If you don't, you may end up with a "filmy" or "milky white" finish under the carnauba wax. You'll see it in the sun light at certain angles, especially on black. I had this happen to friend's black GMC Sierra truck I did with Collinite 885. Live and learn (from somebody else's experience)
 
Lonnie- That description of how the M205's TSO can cause issues is good, that's just how it was when I had problems with it after using ZAIO. 


 


Now I'll admit it doesn't always happen; I've LSPed after (unstripped) M205 with no problems at all.  But I've also had the issues and struggled with "sticky" paint that simply didn't want to give up those oils (hot sun and time probably would've done it, but that wasn't an option).


 


Oh, another example- smooth exterior black plastic on GM SUVs.  When marred it can be polished up just like paint, so I used M205.  Looked great.  Next moring I went back out to the shop and it looked *awful*.  The oils had dissipated leaving it looking oxidized/dried-out and somewhat "milky".  I repolished with something else (1Z High Gloss, IIRC) and did a quick IPA wipe, and let *that* approach sit overnight.  No problems, it stayed nice and I just LSPed it.
 
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