Please help me pass the halogen test with flying colors

4

4gothow2playwc3

New member
Hey guys, I have an 11 months 8th gen black civic (water-based aka soft paint) with the dreaded swirls... I tried to polish it with a porter cable 7424xp with white/orange pad and optimum finish polish but it didn't remove the swirls. I thought OFP is good enough for the soft paint but I was wrong :o. I guess I need to buy an M105? What do you guys think? Is it too harsh for my paint?



Before polish:

step1k.jpg




After polish:

step2p.jpg




It looks like I just added some swirls LOL! I should had practiced polishing on our old corolla :D
 
I believe the new Civic paint is harder, but if it isn't doing anything I would say it is more with your technique. Make sure you are using pressure and completely breaking down the polish, and I would get M105 anyway.
 
a finishing polish likely won't get you the results you're looking for, as it's main purpose is to clean up haze left over from pad/heavy polish marks.

Its not the pads - its the polish. a PC isn't all too powerful, so you'll have to step up to something with a heavier cut. Find a good medium polish and maybe a heavy polish or compound and I think you'll be good to go. If you're trying to do a one step, maybe M205 or Menzerna 203 will do the trick..
 
jordanrossbell said:
I would get Menzerna Powerfinish if i was you for that.
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Actually x2. on that.



I would have 3 polishes at least.



M105 for a compound, P203S(Powerfinish) for a mid cut, and then 3M Ultrafina, or PO85RD. I guess OFP would replace the last one.
 
Yea, as others have said, OFP isn't going to cut it (pun intended). Powerfinish is an excellent recommendation, so is getting 105. Also, if you don't want to drop that kind of cash, you could try ScratchX 2.0 or even Ultimate Compound OTC for about $10. Follow that up with OFP/white pad and you should be good to go.
 
Optimum Polish II via Orange pad should take that out. If you're already ordering the M105 however, read up on the Kevin Brown Method. That will almost definitely take care of your problem.
 
Darkstar752 said:
I believe the new Civic paint is harder, but if it isn't doing anything I would say it is more with your technique. Make sure you are using pressure and completely breaking down the polish, and I would get M105 anyway.
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Hmmm.. I think it's my technique. this was my first time to use the PC on my first car. Maybe I was hesitant to put pressure because I'm afraid to screw things up and I believe that no pressure = no cutting power. I guess I need some dutch courage here hehe!
 
Just watched a youtube video.. 15-20 lbs of pressure maybe that's what I need. Honestly I was afraid to put the pressure and I was using the PC under it's own weight. It could be the reason why I can't get my desired results. Nevertheless, I need to get a more aggressive product than OFP.
 
4gothow2playwc3 said:
... I tried to polish it with a porter cable 7424xp with white/orange pad and optimum finish polish but it didn't remove the swirls. I thought OFP is good enough for the soft paint but I was wrong :o. I guess I need to buy an M105? What do you guys think? Is it too harsh for my paint?
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Well, I'm no authority on Honda paint, but it sure looks like you need something more aggressive.



I haven't used the new "xp" version of the PC, but with the older model I always need to use 4" pads for serious correction.



And, heh heh...once you pass the "halogen test" you can work up to the "incandescent light test" ;)



Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!
 
Accumulator said:
Well, I'm no authority on Honda paint, but it sure looks like you need something more aggressive.



I haven't used the new "xp" version of the PC, but with the older model I always need to use 4" pads for serious correction.



And, heh heh...once you pass the "halogen test" you can work up to the "incandescent light test" ;)



Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!
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Thanks for the warm welcome! :D Why 4" pads? for more heat generation? I noticed that after polishing with a 6.5" orange pad, the pad didn't get warm
 
4gothow2playwc3 said:
Why 4" pads? for more heat generation? I noticed that after polishing with a 6.5" orange pad, the pad didn't get warm
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IME the primary benefit of the smaller pads is that you can apply more pressure without the machine merely "jiggling". This does create more heat, and you have to be a little careful, but *man* do the smaller pads do correction better and faster.



Other than the ability to apply pressure, I'm not really sure just *why* they're all that more effective, but I can sure say that they are.
 
Uh oh.. seems like I need to get a smaller backing plate and 4" pads :D. So what should I get? Menzerna is expensive for me :( How about poorboy's SSR 2.5, is it any good? $17 CAD for 16oz
 
4gothow2playwc3 said:
Thanks for the warm welcome! :D Why 4" pads? for more heat generation? I noticed that after polishing with a 6.5" orange pad, the pad didn't get warm
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That's some of your problem. 6.5" pads on a pc won't cut butter. Get some 5.5" and 4" pads for more correction.
 
Some good info in here guys.



Personally, I enjoy SSR 2.5. Its probably the best polish in the SSR line and can finish down very well.



Give it a try.
 
craigdt said:
Some good info in here guys.



Personally, I enjoy SSR 2.5. Its probably the best polish in the SSR line and can finish down very well.



Give it a try.
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What pad are you using? 6.5" orange ccs pad? I heard that the only problem of SSR 2.5 is that it dusts pretty much.
 
4gothow2playwc3 said:
Uh oh.. seems like I need to get a smaller backing plate and 4" pads :D. So what should I get? Menzerna is expensive for me :( How about poorboy's SSR 2.5, is it any good? $17 CAD for 16oz
Click to expand...



Despite my initial resistance and misgivings, I've found that the Meguiar's M105/M205 twins really are simply wonderful.
 
why not just get some Ult. Comp and swirl x, otc?



also are you doing an IPA wipedown? at the least there should be a difference in gloss? I might read up on the KB method and then try the OFP again.
 
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