Problems with PC end results

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bojangleS_8686

New member
Sorry I have no pics to go along with this, I didn't think I would need to take any so I didn't need to bring my camera. I polished a 2002 Ford Focus with moderate swirls with SSR2 via orange CCS pad and PC on speed 5. When I was done, It looked like there were more swirls than before, but the reflections were much better. This has happened to me a few times, so I can only assume it is something I am doing wrong. I haven't finished the job yet (its my girlfriends car so she doesn't care if has to stay in the garage for a day) because I want to get rid of these swirls completely. Is the SSR line not strong enough to get rid of swirls completely? Should I step it up to SSR3 and an orange or yellow pad? Or am I just using the wrong combination of products? I'm sure everyone can feel my frustration on this, any help is appreciated!
 
Its marring left by the rough pad and product. After that your going to have to step down to a finer pad and polish.



On my Camaro I used SSR2.5 with a yellow pad. Followed that with TC-8 and an orange pad and finished with OP and a white pad (all LC pads). Worked well.



I'd just go with a light polish and a white pad if I were you.



Also you may not be working the polish long enough.
 
It may be that you notice more of the swirls now because the surface is more reflective. SSR2 isn't THAT aggressive...while SSR3 is like rocks in a bottle. SSR2.5 is about like #83 and many other medium polishes, but 2.5 has some fillers in it that the other SSR's don't (yes, I know it says on the bottle it doesn't have any, but my personal experience and that of other Autopians says it does).



SSR3 WILL leave marring that you will have to take out with a finer polish.
 
Well, I wouldn't finish with SSR2.5 on a yellow pad on any car, let alone a black one. Depending on the color and the paint, you can get an LSP-ready finish with SSR2.5 if you use a less aggressive pad.
 
The 3 step process was probably overkill, but this was my 4th attempt. I finally found a system that worked after 3 failed attempts, and I wanted to make sure I did it right.
 
Thanks for the input. I have SSR1 and a CCS white pad, I will try that tomorrow and see how it works. I also have Pro Polish and EX-P that I bought from a fellow autopian that I haven't tried out yet. Maybe this is a good time to try these as well?
 
I think you really have to determine if the marring you are seeing is left over from before polishing, or if you are introducing it with your products/technique. Try a spot with the SSR1/white, and if that improves/fixes it I guess it was you using a too-aggressive pad and/or not working it enough. If it doesn't fix it, you probably need to go more aggressive, work on your arm speed, etc.
 
How long should SSR2 take to break down on a 2x2 area? I have been working it in from 2 to 3 minutes per section while making around 4 complete horizontal and vertical passes.
 
It depends how much you are using, you want to work it until it's almost gone, but not 'til it's dry. 2-3 minutes on a 2x2 panel sounds about right. My suspicion is you just have some deeper marks that are going to take more passes or more abrasive to remove.
 
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