*GASP* Swirls!

[onthespot]

I've been detailing since 1988. Today, I decided that I have a lot to learn. In fact, today I felt less like a detailer than I ever have...

Had a white '99 F-150 single cab to do today. The customer told me it hadn't been waxed in 4 years. The following are the steps I took and the problem that I had:

1. Bug remover on front bumper, grille, and mirror backs.
2. Wheel cleaning. White letters on tires cleaned.
3. Dawn wash & pressure rinse (about 2000 psi)
4. Clayed (Meguiar's clay - used the Dawn wash water as a lube)
5. Washed again & rinsed
6. Dried with Water blade and chamois.
7. Doorjambs and hood jamb.
(This is where the problems started)
8. Polished entire vehicle with PreTreat Polish Light Compound (Manufacturer = ProTime- distributed by National Detail Systems). Used PC 7424 with White foam polishing pad. Setting was on 4.

I used to apply this polish with my Gem Orbital. Could polish entire vehicle then removed polish with 100% cotton towel. When I went to remove polish - I discovered that there were swirl marks everywhere! I couldn't rub them off with the towel. Tried a MF - that didn't work either. Finally in desperation, I grabbed my Gem, put a terry cloth bonnet on it, and after much work was able to remove the swirl marks with it...

9. Applied Z5
10. Applied Z2
11. Final trim detailing, dressings, and all that "nit-picking" that we do...

So what happened??? What caused the swirls? Was it the PC? Too high of a setting? OR Was it the fact that the polish applied with the PC should be applied and removed in sections? OR a combination of the two?

The Gem has about 1700 OPM. I think the PC on setting 4 would have about 4000 OPM. Would this higher speed cause the swirls?

Anyhow, any input all you pros out there could give this humble "detailer" would be appreciated...

Thanks!
Onthespot, (On The Spot Mobile Detailing, North Carolina)

(By the way, Got a $30 tip from the customer... So it did turn out good. Was just a rocky road getting there...)

 

[Boss_429]

onthespot,

Not a pro, but I'll try to help if I can.

First, are you sure the swirls weren't there before you started, and the cleaning just brought them out?

Second, if you have used that polish before, I would follow their instructions for application and removal. Anyhow, the setting of 4 should be fine with the PC, although, you might want to check with the manufacturer of the polish. I believe most people use a setting of between 4 - 5 for most other polishes.

Lastly, was the pad "super clean"? Also, make sure the pads don't have any divets in them, as they can cause swirls. BTW, the white pad that comes with the PC is OK, but there are better pads for the PC.

Hope this helps.

 

[ACE]

I'm not familiar with that polish, but maybe it was too abrasive or the PC did not have the power to break down the abrasives fine enough to polish, just to scratch. Maybe you should stick with the PC standards like Menzerna Final, DACP or 3M Swirl Remover.

 

[jackimoe]

sounds like maybe the pad had some dried up polish on it or maybe the product dried up as you were polishing.

 

[onthespot]

Thanks everyone who responded. Looking back on this I think that as Jackimoe stated, the product dried up on me as I was polishing. Even though I was under a detailer's canopy - it was very hot out (85 degrees).

Onthespot