PUN TOTALLY INTENDED. So I recently started machine polishing with a GG 6" machine. Still using Griot's pads, but getting tired of them fast. I wanted to start cheap, so I went OTC with Megs UC and SwirlX, and it just doesn't seem like they're doing much other than removing swirl marks--especially the UC. Is this operator error? :buffing: Or is it time for me to look at what the big boys use? I've been looking at Mezerna products, namely the SIP/106FA (formerly the infamous 106FF, but you all probably know that).
To try and answer some preliminary questions you may have:
I have worked on 2 different cars. A '99 Dodge Dakota that has better than expected paint given it's age (due to low miles, 61k) but still needs a fair amount of correction. Results on the Dakota have been quite good, I'm thinking it has much softer CC/paint than the next vehicle; a '99 XJ Jag. It's with the Jag that I'm seeing the least amount of results, despite spending the most time on it. I don't know much about clearcoats, but what I do know is that in early 2000s some companies started using a rock hard (ceramic?) clear. I have no idea what is on the Jag, but from the results I'm getting, it seems like it has a hard clear...or is this all just down to user error? As this is a luxury sedan, I'm scared about hurting the paint, so if anything I've been careful not to over-correct anything, but at the same time I've been reading enough on here to know that you can't let it know you're afraid. Am I just not working the product long enough? I'm also wondering if the GG Orange is any good, as I've read it's a fairly non-aggressive polishing pad, as far as polishing pads go.
My MO: GG 6" Orange pad, on speed 5 or 6 for both the UC/SwirlX. And I'll do multiple passes just like the DVD that came with it said. On the Jag I seem to be removing a good majority of the swirl marks, but oxidation and other little odds and ends seems to remain untouched.
My wish list:
Mezerna SIP/106FA
new 4" or 5.5" backing plate for the GG RO
Uber Pads for new backing plate
To try and answer some preliminary questions you may have:
I have worked on 2 different cars. A '99 Dodge Dakota that has better than expected paint given it's age (due to low miles, 61k) but still needs a fair amount of correction. Results on the Dakota have been quite good, I'm thinking it has much softer CC/paint than the next vehicle; a '99 XJ Jag. It's with the Jag that I'm seeing the least amount of results, despite spending the most time on it. I don't know much about clearcoats, but what I do know is that in early 2000s some companies started using a rock hard (ceramic?) clear. I have no idea what is on the Jag, but from the results I'm getting, it seems like it has a hard clear...or is this all just down to user error? As this is a luxury sedan, I'm scared about hurting the paint, so if anything I've been careful not to over-correct anything, but at the same time I've been reading enough on here to know that you can't let it know you're afraid. Am I just not working the product long enough? I'm also wondering if the GG Orange is any good, as I've read it's a fairly non-aggressive polishing pad, as far as polishing pads go.
My MO: GG 6" Orange pad, on speed 5 or 6 for both the UC/SwirlX. And I'll do multiple passes just like the DVD that came with it said. On the Jag I seem to be removing a good majority of the swirl marks, but oxidation and other little odds and ends seems to remain untouched.
My wish list:
Mezerna SIP/106FA
new 4" or 5.5" backing plate for the GG RO
Uber Pads for new backing plate