I got a PC for X-mas. I also got a set of pads, some Optimum Polish, Klasse Twins, Souveran, and some cobra MF towels. My black G35 had tons of swirls and scratches that I could see under a halogen worklight. The day after x-mas I got up early and went after them.
I started with a white polishing pad and the OP. After I saw that almost nothing happened I switched to an orange cutting pad. It removed many of the defects but its still no where near perfect. I decided to just let it be since its a daily driver and its never going to be perfect. After a while I noticed that I was leaving tons of little swirl marks and hazing in the paint. I began to get discouraged and disappointed. I only got through half the car before I gave up since I thought I was only making it worse.
After some research on Autopia, I learned that this is normal. An aggressive polish and a cutting pad is SUPPOSED to leave those tiny little swirls and a finer polish will remove them afterwards. So I ran down to the garage and tried some AIO by hand in a small section. Then I followed it up with some KSG just to see what happens. Lo and behold it was a DRAMATIC transformation.
By that time it was too late to really dive into a serious detail. Luckily, next weekend is a long weekend so I can surely spend some time getting the job done right. If it wasn't for Autopia I would have just given up my detailing hobby and driving around with a half-polished car until spring.
Next weekend I'm going to finish the rest of the car with the OP and an orange pad. Then I'll use the AIO with a white pad followed by KSG with a gray pad. I'll let it sit over night and then hit it with some souveran in the morning. I can't wait to see the results. I'll be sure to post pics.
Autopia saved my car!
I started with a white polishing pad and the OP. After I saw that almost nothing happened I switched to an orange cutting pad. It removed many of the defects but its still no where near perfect. I decided to just let it be since its a daily driver and its never going to be perfect. After a while I noticed that I was leaving tons of little swirl marks and hazing in the paint. I began to get discouraged and disappointed. I only got through half the car before I gave up since I thought I was only making it worse.
After some research on Autopia, I learned that this is normal. An aggressive polish and a cutting pad is SUPPOSED to leave those tiny little swirls and a finer polish will remove them afterwards. So I ran down to the garage and tried some AIO by hand in a small section. Then I followed it up with some KSG just to see what happens. Lo and behold it was a DRAMATIC transformation.
By that time it was too late to really dive into a serious detail. Luckily, next weekend is a long weekend so I can surely spend some time getting the job done right. If it wasn't for Autopia I would have just given up my detailing hobby and driving around with a half-polished car until spring.
Next weekend I'm going to finish the rest of the car with the OP and an orange pad. Then I'll use the AIO with a white pad followed by KSG with a gray pad. I'll let it sit over night and then hit it with some souveran in the morning. I can't wait to see the results. I'll be sure to post pics.
Autopia saved my car!
