Ferrari 360 swirls are killer, what's your best compound?

A

achilles99

New member
Many thanks to Way2SSlow for helping me with my 360 this weekend (hell of a guy, he even helped me spread some mulch around in my yard :) ). We tried SSR2.5, I believe some type of hypercut, some Optimum Polish, etc. We tried both PC and rotary, using a white, orange and yellow pad. SWIRLS ARE STILL THERE! This clearcoat is kicking our a$$.



I'm thinking about buying some optimum hyper compound, but I have a feeling that it won't work judging by other reviews. What's the best compound you all have used? Think back to the HARDEST clearcoat you've ever encountered. I swear, if this wasn't my car I'd think the swirls were underneath the clearcoat.



Way2SSlow and I are thinking that wool pads are needed as a next step, but anyone have any other ideas?



We temporarily used a glaze topped by Souveran. Car looks great in the sun from 4 feet away, but the swirls are a challenge. We eventually called it quits, and I let him have the keys for a while. Swirls or not, it was a beautiful day to drive!
 
When i was talking to todd he gave the impression (told me) that Ferrari paint is a breeeeze to work on. It is so soft. I believe him 100%. Are you working the polish in long enouph? Ive never worked with PB... only menz for me. If you must do something more aggressive go with m105 on a lc foamed wool.



And todd also said often ferrari's get bumped up on the boat ride over and they need repainting in places. could this be something that happened to yours?
 
It's just paint, hammer it. Doesn't sound like you used anything super aggressive. 360 paint is normally a nice, softer clear. It wouldn't suprise me if your car was repainted after shipping (it is very common on Ferrari's).



Also do not put any chemicals on the rubbersized coating on your steering wheel column, door handles, or vent dials. They will turn to mush.



BTW the hardest paint I ever worked on an orginal paint black Lambo Countach. It took 10-15 passes with a compound to remove all the swirl marks (and never removed a measurable amount of paint).
 
IMO 2.5 is a subpar product. ssr3 is much better for heavy swirls if you want to stick with PB products. Make sure you step down everytime, i.e. 3,2,1, polish. I refer to #95 when dealing with major swirls followed by SIP, 85rd. I was down in ATL a week ago for the Van Halen concert/detailing a clients car. Perhaps next time Im down there if you havent found a solution, I can help you get the swirls out.
 
We definitely worked it in for several passes. We focused on a two foot piece of the front quarterpanel. It may have been repainted. I had the front and rear bumper resprayed to get rid of chips, and now I'm wondering if they repainted more than that to blend it in.



Whatever the case may be, the paint is DEFINITELY not soft. In fact, it's the opposite of that (on my car at least, maybe not on Ferrari's in general).



Where can I buy M105 and a LC foamed wool pad (preferably same place)? What size pad and will I need a different type of backing plate? Thanks for the input...



PS - I am not trying to stick with PB stuff necessarily... just want the right product to get the job done, without having to buy one of everything to get the swirls out (I don't mind stepping down, I just don't want to have 5 compounds). Thanks for the offer to help, hopefully I can solve this issue sooner rather than later.
 
BTW, what's #95 and 85rd? I couldn't find those on the FAQ...



How do you all distinguish between Menzerna 105 and the Duragloss TPP 105? Seems like SIP is a popular one, maybe I should try that next...
 
gators241987 said:
ADS and pakshak both of the items you need. what are you using? rotary, da? what size backing plate do you have?
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I have a PC, using a 5" or 6" backing. Looks like ADS has a purple 6.5" wool foam pad that would be the ticket.



Looks like M105 is Meguiar's 105, not Menzerna like a thought before. Is it necessary for both M105 and SIP, or just one of them? If just one, which one? Sigh... too many products, too little time. Thanks for the link BLK, I wouldn't have known what ADS stood for :)
 
achilles99 said:
I have a PC, using a 5" or 6" backing. Looks like ADS has a purple 6.5" wool foam pad that would be the ticket.



Looks like M105 is Meguiar's 105, not Menzerna like a thought before. Is it necessary for both M105 and SIP, or just one of them? If just one, which one? Sigh... too many products, too little time. Thanks for the link BLK, I wouldn't have known what ADS stood for :)
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Im not a fan of 105, 95 is much better IMO, plus $30 cheaper for the gal. m105 or m95 is more aggresive than sip, and you would need a step down product. you can try sip to see how it would work out. least aggresive method first.
 
I'll probably try the 95, since nothing else is even touching the swirls. Do you think it's OK to use it with a PC, even though a rotary is recommended? Wade will probably want to come back and tackle the challenge again, and I know he has a rotary...
 
baseballlover1 said:
When i was talking to todd he gave the impression (told me) that Ferrari paint is a breeeeze to work on. It is so soft. I believe him 100%. Are you working the polish in long enouph? Ive never worked with PB... only menz for me. If you must do something more aggressive go with m105 on a lc foamed wool.



And todd also said often ferrari's get bumped up on the boat ride over and they need repainting in places. could this be something that happened to yours?
Click to expand...



Jeez man. You really have a thing for Todd and Brian dont ya? Todd and Brian are very talented, but the fact of the matter is....all cars are different. Search for Audi/VW and you'll find people saying that they'll have incredibly hard clear and some saying it's not so hard. I've polished Audis and VW's before.....This 360's clear is MUCH MUCH HARDER than the last A6 that I did of near the same vintage. The Audi was a 2000 and this particular 360 is a 99 model.





PC wouldnt do anything. I used a Yellow foam pad with HTEC/OP at around 1500 RPMS and it wouldnt even make a dent in the defects on this car. I realize that's not super aggressive, but it's what I had with me. I'm going to jump to wool, and thanks to Bryan's (gmblack3a) guidance, I think I'm on the right track now. Just need to place the order.



I'm going to go back with 3M PI 3000 Extra cut, Menzerna SIP and either 106FF/85RD or Ultrafina. I'm kinda leaning toward the Megs solo pads per Todd's review of them and the fact that I think I can source them locally.





PS. My neck got wicked sunburn from the mulching! :D :D Now I guess people can call me a redneck! :D
 
I'm confident we can get this knocked out. Worst case, we'll get another nice afternoon drive in. Who would have thought that detailing could be so complicated. I have a whole new level of respect for those that do them every day.
 
Way2SSlow said:
Jeez man. You really have a thing for Todd and Brian dont ya? Todd and Brian are very talented, but the fact of the matter is....all cars are different. Search for Audi/VW and you'll find people saying that they'll have incredibly hard clear and some saying it's not so hard. I've polished Audis and VW's before.....This 360's clear is MUCH MUCH HARDER than the last A6 that I did of near the same vintage. The Audi was a 2000 and this particular 360 is a 99 model.





PC wouldnt do anything. I used a Yellow foam pad with HTEC/OP at around 1500 RPMS and it wouldnt even make a dent in the defects on this car. I realize that's not super aggressive, but it's what I had with me. I'm going to jump to wool, and thanks to Bryan's (gmblack3a) guidance, I think I'm on the right track now. Just need to place the order.



I'm going to go back with 3M PI 3000 Extra cut, Menzerna SIP and either 106FF/85RD or Ultrafina. I'm kinda leaning toward the Megs solo pads per Todd's review of them and the fact that I think I can source them locally.





PS. My neck got wicked sunburn from the mulching! :D :D Now I guess people can call me a redneck! :D
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Yea man, i do have an HUGE respect for both of them. They are the A-Rods and Dereck Jeters of baseball (except they actually win all the games they play in... ok bad analogy). But they have the most knowledge of detailing then anyone i know. Anyone who is that good IMO, you HAVE to respect them.



I will not say that i have worked on a ferrari but i am hoping to in the next couple months. I am not sure of the year of the one i would be working on but it is a few years old so i def want to here what you guys find. We all have faith!



,Daniel



P.S. Good luck! And have fun!
 
gators241987 said:
Im not a fan of 105, 95 is much better IMO, plus $30 cheaper for the gal. m105 or m95 is more aggresive than sip, and you would need a step down product. you can try sip to see how it would work out. least aggresive method first.
Click to expand...



Why do you prefer 95 over 105?
 
baseballlover1 said:
I will not say that i have worked on a ferrari but i am hoping to in the next couple months. I am not sure of the year of the one i would be working on but it is a few years old so i def want to here what you guys find. We all have faith!
Click to expand...



I WILL get this car as close to perfect as I can. No matter how many times I have to go over there and work on it nor how long it takes me (so long as I'm not thrown out :D ). I'm totally focused on getting what I need to do the job right. I'm not going to care how efficiently I do it, but I am taking this one very seriously. He was nice enough to let me behind the wheel of his Ferrari and I feel that I owe him and the car to make it as close to 100% as I possibly can.



I cant tell you how thankful I am that I got to pilot a machine like that, and it's definitely a feeling like no other I've ever experienced. That motor screaming at 8500 RPM right behind your head is like......um...somthing really really good. The only thing you're thinking about is grabbing onto that paddle and hitting the next gear! If I really needed anything to really motivate me to work even harder at life....That ride was it. Anyway, if anyone wants to drop their .02 in the piggy bank about compounds and Ferrari clear....please do.



Hey Daniel, let's take it easy on my Yankees alright. They're off to a slow start, but dont be suprised if they're on Boston's coattails by the break.
 
Its hard to give recommendations for a good compound to work with Ferrari clear when it is obvious that this isn't Ferrari typical Ferrari clear.



On the traditonal softer finished I typically use some type of the 3 step which would start with 3M Extra Cut Compound and wool pad for as many passes as necessary to chop off the defects. On 360's it usually takes 1 to 2 passes, that is it. On the F430 with the harder PPG paint I like Meg's M105 for heavy work (although on the F430 I did two days ago I used Extra Cut).



If you want a safe combo that will work on a variety of paints (but you may have to use more then a couple passes to cut the defects out if it is hard paint or they are very deep) grab a Lake Country Purple Foam Wool pad and the 3M Extra Cut at about 1800 RPM's. Work until a dry buff, inspect and repeat...



After try a good middle polish with a moderate pad (I prefer SIP on a green german foam pad) and work it very well, making sure to feather the RPM down after the polish is broken down. Go for perfection on this step, and I find it absolutely necessary to wipe the paint with a solvent to inspect the work.



After you can finish by PC or rotary if you choose. UltraFina is an easy one to work (moderate pressure, 1700 RPM to start then back off the pressure to about a 1000 rpm) and lightly burish the paint to perfection or choose your favorite finishign polish.



The fact that the car may be repainted (given the hardness) I cannot help you with the paint measurements but in general 360's have plenty of paint film (5-8 mils) so they can easily tolerate a pretty aggressive polishing.
 
Wade, Sounds like you have a good idea of what will be required.



3M ECC with either LC purple foamed wool, Edge Yellow wool or the megs wool.

SIP with either the newer Megs diamond yellow or LC green german.

3M ultrafina with blue CCS, 3M blue foam or Megs diamond black finishing.



Achilles99, Did you have a viper in the past? I think we have meet at an auctocross in Macon before back when I had my silver Z06. :)
 
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