Getting Frustrated

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Yaemish

New member
I tried hitting my dark blue car with SSR 2.5 (Yellow Propel Pad) and then with the SSR 1 (Blue Propel Pad). The whole process took a long time and I made sure I did 3 passes with each application with the PC set to 5.



I followed everything up with a thin layer of Z2 and Z5. The thing is, upon close inspection and direct sunlight I can see all the really thin scratches as well as really fine swirls that aren't visible in indirect light.



From 10 feet away my car looks like a million bucks, close up, I'm not too happy with the results. Should I give it a run with the Orange cutting pad and 2.5 or just have someone wet sand it at this point? I don't want to put in any more time if its not going to take everything out.
 
It seems that everyone says the same thing these days. I don't know what you could be doing wrong. Maybe some more insight into your applications process, time spent in one area, and breakdown of the SSR. How deep are the scratches? Like I said, there are many people complaining of the same thing lately, so search around a few of the threads and I think you will find some good advice. I think the whole process takes some practice. It will work, don't give up. A real enthusiast enjoys the learning process too.



JJ
 
Yaemish said:


I followed everything up with a thin layer of Z2 and Z5. The thing is, upon close inspection and direct sunlight I can see all the really thin scratches as well as really fine swirls that aren't visible in indirect light.

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You either didn't work the stuff in well enough or you are being too much of a perfectionist. Its almost impossible to get out every single scratch and swirl so that you cannot see it - this is especially true on dark cars. I have realized this and set acceptable standards for my truck - its more of a visual thing.
 
blackcaraddict said:
you are being too much of a perfectionist. Its almost impossible to get out every single scratch and swirl so that you cannot see it - this is especially true on dark cars. I have realized this and set acceptable standards for my truck
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AMEN to that! I've come to cope with it b/c I know it's still in better condition that 99% of the black daily driven black vehicles on the road. Those other 1% are just plain crazy!
 
If you can feel the scratches with your finger nail then polishing might not solve it and you could possibly look at wet sanding, but if you can't feel them with your nail you can remove them with polishing.
 
Like I said, from far away it looks OK, close up is another story (Depending on the light). And no, I can't fell the scratches with my fingernail.



FullCarjpg.jpg




fullcar2.jpg




door.jpg




FinalPaint.jpg




As you can see, at some angels the paint looks OK, should I be happy with my results? That last pic is what it is like when the sun is really hitting it hard. Would I be really killing my clearcoat if I was to attempt another swirl removal?



And I know, she needs some new shoes.
 
It looks pretty good. I might recommend a paint cleanser following a brief SSR2.5 polishing on the spots with spiderwebs. I like to finish up my polishing with the PC on "6"...that usually helps.
 
I didn't go all the way up to 6, maybe I should have. I did use some AIO under the Zaino, I forgot to mention that. I'm starting to think about doing the orange pad.
 
hmm that last picture is still pretty swirly -- perhaps you missed spots?



I would recommend getting some really bright halogen lights to shine on the car whilst your polishing, so you can see better what you are doing.
 
It does look pretty good. Those can be gotten out with probably one more pass with SSR 2.5



You are well on your way to a perfect end result. Depending on your satidfaction requirement, you might want to wait awhile and do it agian the next go round. Like someone else said, you will be driving a car that looks better than 99% of them on the road. Don't get to caught up in absolute perfection on a daily driver. Swirlies are way to easy to introduce , so don't go crazy over those minor inperfections. JMHO!



JJ
 
When you say passes.... Does that mean to apply the SSR 2.5, remove it, then the next application and removal is another pass? If this is the case, should I bring it up to an orange pad instead of a yellow? Does the orange cause more marring?
 
Yaemish said:
When you say passes.... Does that mean to apply the SSR 2.5, remove it, then the next application and removal is another pass? If this is the case, should I bring it up to an orange pad instead of a yellow? Does the orange cause more marring?
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Yes, when we say two passes we're talking about two applications. It's not uncommon to make 3 or 4 passes to remove swirls. Just remember to work a small area (~ 2' x 2'), use a fast PC speed, and move the PC slowly over the area being worked.



If you have the orange pad give it a try, I really like the orange pads and find they leave very little marring/hazing if the polish is worked long enough to properly break down, but a follow-up with a lighter polish on a polish pad may be needed.



You may also want to try using 4" pads on the PC, they seem to add a little more cut because the smaller pad won't bog down as easily. Here are a couple of places to buy the pads and a backing plate:



http://www.autopia-carcare.com/sosfx4sppa.html



http://www.properautocare.com/4inspotreppa.html



I also like them to do smaller "spot" work.
 
Just my opinion, but the car looks great as is if it is a daily driver. You can reduce the existing swirls even more but keep in mind, over time your car is going to get new ones. It is inevitable for a daily driver. I agree with others who have stated "don't go crazy over those minor inperfections."



If it is a rarely driven show car than I would definitely consider working on reducing the remaining swirls.
 
SSR2.5 and a cutting pad may leave hazing. Try following that with SSR 2.5 and a polishin pad before you do the SSR1.
 
There is some hazing, I did go over it with SSR 1 and a Blue pad but there is still some hazing. What is the process for using the SSR 1?
 
Yaemish said:
There is some hazing, I did go over it with SSR 1 and a Blue pad but there is still some hazing. What is the process for using the SSR 1?
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Like Scott mentioned, if you use an aggressive polish like 2.5 with an aggressive pad, follow-up with 2.5 on a polish pad (green) if you notice hazing. Then if needed you can finish up with SSR1 on a green or blue pad.



Different paints respond differently due to their hardness, the polish/pads used, etc.. There have been times where I go to an LSP after SSR2.5 or DACP, and other times I follow-up with a less aggressive polish (#80 or SSR1). If I use an orange pad I almost always follow it with a polish pad.



This is just something that you learn over time and with experience. It also helps to do one small area at a time until you discover what process is best for the paint and the techniques/products you're using. Nothing is more frustrating than doing an entire car to discover it doesn't look right when you pull it out into the sun, and then have to start over.
 
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