Very, very, very thin swirls after last step of polishing?

Accumulator said:
Thanks for schooling me :D I'll try to keep that in mind for future reference.
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Hey, even the student can get lucky and teach the teacher something every once in a while! :D
 
Ok. I have a weekend to continue my project.

I bought a very bright LED torch which revealed the minor swirls that I couldn't spot before (except in sunlight). So I have to trust in it, because I'm not going to see the sun today or tomorrow.



I did a test with a white CCS pad and Presta Swirl Remover. Holy cow! I couldn't spot a single swirl after polishing a small area. It was pure clean! I have never used LC pads before. At first I spread the polish using the lowest speed, then went to 6 with a little pressure, and then to 3 for the last minute or so without any pressure.



Oh man I just hope this would work for the end... :waxing:



Thank you fellows. Any more tips?
 
Since you're asking for a final tip; (and I perpetually wait for Maureen to get ready to leave for the Porscherama at Pocono Raceway today :rolleyes:), It's to stay focused on the technique through the entire detail. Many will get tired, loose focus and rush through the last panel or two. Then you've got to go back at it again. :grrr Dedicate an endless clock with no deadlines and you'll 'come out shining'.

As I type this, I recall a guy who worked for me who'd start on what he considered the ugliest or least favorite part of a car as it was his motivation to make the favorite parts (usually the big panels everyone sees) the ones he'd continually stay focused on. I know that seems covoluted, but there's a lot of truth to starting with and getting through the parts you dislike to enjoy doing the best parts at the end of any task.

All the best with your detail.
 
Here's an example of what I recently completed on a "very" soft BMW 645Ci. It was so soft, that everything I tried would produce swirls (both wool and foam).



I ended up doing 2 steps:



First, I used 3M SRC (which is supposed to be for Scratch Resistant Clear) and a wool pad.



Second: I used a foam polish pad with just a spray of quick detailer. This allowed me to see my work progress and it also cleaned up the swirls from the wool:



Before:



645CiDoorSwirls.jpg




After pictures



645CiSRCSide.jpg




Black645B4powerWashSRC.jpg




Black645CiDoneOutsideHood.jpg




645CiHoodReflectionInShop.jpg




My final product was 3M Performance Finish sealant which gave good protection to the finish.



Toto
 
I just got the car out of garage to check the paint under the street lighting (it's dark in here). I think streetlights show up every fault in the paintwork.



And guess what... PERFECT! Zero swirls! None! Yes!

This is what I've been waiting for!



I have to finish the other side of car tomorrow... And then wax and seal it!
 
Saintlysins said:
As I type this, I recall a guy who worked for me who'd start on what he considered the ugliest or least favorite part of a car as it was his motivation to make the favorite parts (usually the big panels everyone sees) the ones he'd continually stay focused on. I know that seems covoluted, but there's a lot of truth to starting with and getting through the parts you dislike to enjoy doing the best parts at the end of any task.

All the best with your detail.
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I agree with this 100%. I work at a BMW dealership as a recon specialist and it gets extremely monotanous (sp?) at times, even though I LOVE my job. The above is my exact technique that gets me through those long days where it seems like i'll never get done. It makes the day go by faster and keeps the spirits up.:)
 
Totoland Mach said:
Yes! I have done the metallic black BMW's, but this was Jet Black.



Toto
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Jet Black should be banned. I have never, ever, seen a finish so soft in my life. If you look at it wrong, it marrs the surface. I ran my fingertips over the hood of a brand new, just off the truck and freshly washed 1 series BMW in Jet Black and saw I left a smudge so took a clean microfiber and some QD and lightly wiped the smudge off and STILL put a tiny mark on the paint, unbelieveable! This paint is no joke...:scared:
 
Job done! :woot:

Thank you everyone who replied.



I am very satisfied with the result. Couldn't remove all the deepest rids but that's ok.

I got the final touch with Lake Country CCS White pad and Presta Swirl Remover.

Tomorrow I give her a good wash and a wax + sealant.



I really would like to get the paint thickness measured now. I had to make one pass with Presta Strata 1000 with heavy polishing pad to get rid of rids (LOL). Then a pass with Presta Chroma 1500 and polishing pad, and then some few passes with Presta Swirl Remover with that white CCS pad. I used Flex. So I hope there's some clear coat left :confused::p



Now I really have the confidence on Presta products. I can recommend them for everyone!
 
Presta products are really underrated IMHO. Their heavy hitters have decent work time and finish down nicely. And the price is good as well. They get my vote any day.
 
Anzafin said:
I am very satisfied with the result. Couldn't remove all the deepest rids but that's ok.



I really would like to get the paint thickness measured now.
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Good to hear you got it sorted. :cool:

I actually live about 200km from your location and have a paint thickness gauge, pm me if you are interested.
 
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