New, need advice - Second attempt on my Black Cobra

[bmac11]

I bought my supplies and made an attempt at this last summer. The car didn't turn out how I wanted. The very light scratches that you can only see in the sunlight are still there (you can not feel them or see them in the shade). I had to use a clay block on the car first because there was some kind of overspray-like coating on the car. You can still see some of the scratches the bar left behind. I am thinking my problems may of been caused by buildup on the pads or not using a tough enough polish.



The car is a 97 Black Cobra with 30k miles. It was repainted properly several years ago. I believe the paint is very thin because they wet blocked it down to make it darker. There is a spot on one of the door lines where the paint was taken down too low.. so I am afraid to use the PC on it again.



Here is what I tried last time.

PC 7424 with 5" Flexible back plate



P21S Shampoo

FPII -white LC pad

RMG -black LC pad

AIO -black LC pad

P21S Carnauba wax -black LC pad



My next attempt, I was thinking of trying IP with an orange LC pad first and switching to a synthetic wax such as Z2 or Z5.. or just using the entire Zaino product line.



Few questions and any advice is appreciated.

1. How many pads should I be going through or how often should I clean them during use? Should I be using some kind of lubricant on the pads?



2. Is there a difference between the CCS pads and the flat ones? I only have the flats ones.



3. If I use the Menzerna polishes, should I use something between FPII and Z5 or should I ditch the two polishes and use Z-PC Fusion first?



4. Is it ok to use a PC for the LSP on a black car? I am afraid its causing my scratches.



5. Will the first polish remove all the old products I applied last year?



Thanks

 

[Jscort98]

I can answer a couple of your questions



1. You should change your pads when they become caked with product or clean them with a spur. For lube I lightly spray some quick detailer on them before using them

4. it is definitely ok to use that.

5. by now the wax is definitely gone. p21s lasts at most a couple months.



I recently tried to polish my 98 ford escort and discovered the cc is medium hardness. The fpII might have been too weak. The IP and orange might do the trick though. Good luck

 

[imported_MBenz]

1. It kinda depends on the product, how much you use, and how big the car is. You will know when the pad is doing no good. The surface will be literally covered with product like it is icing on a cake but i won't wipe off. Some time soon before this point, clean the pad, or get a fresh one.