What did I do wrong?

P

p_dubs

New member
Hi guys looking for help here. This is the process I used-
Wash with Gold Class
Clay with Mothers
Pinnacle XMT Swirl Remover (Orange Pad with PC7424 on speed 5)
Pinnacle XMT Fine Swirl Remover (Orange Pad with PC7424 on speed 5) on one side of hood
Poorboys Polish (Orange Pad with PC7424 on speed 6)
Klasse AIO.
The first two images show the car in the condition when I got it.
Next image shows the result after Pinnacle XMT Swirl Remover.
Then image of the result after Pinnacle XMT Fine Swirl Remover.
Then image of the result after Poorboy's Polish.
I basically had to go over the XMT Fine Swirl Remover with the Poorboys polish to have it look decent. There are still alot of scratches, any recommendations out there? Was my first mistake for being cheap and buying the Pinnacle instead of the Poorboys swirl removers?
Can't seem up upload the images...
 
Well, for one I think your pad might be a little too abrasive for what you are trying to do. You will want to step down your pad along with the polish when you do that. I don't know what kind of pads you are using, but orange pads are usually pretty strong cut pads.

And secondly, there is nothing cheap about the Pinnacle XMT products. Those are top notch polishes when used properly. My guess is that you would have gotten the same results with any other polish because your pad is wrong. Getting the perfect shine is a combination of the right pad and the right product. If you are going to use a strong pad with a mild product then you can expect to have a lot of scratches left over.
 
I have to agree with Jman :rockon for a fine swirl remover and for the polish, no more than a white polishing pad should have been used. Even a finishing pad with my polish at that point would have helped.
Just remember that there is a learning curve with new products and learning the correct combination of product and pad is part of it.
I'd say go back to the Fine Swirl remover with a white polishing pad and do the same with my polish and you should be fine :bigups
 
Since I can't seem to upload the images, let me attempt to describe what I have. The car is a 1998 BMW 318ti. The body is straight, but the paint has swirl marks galore. It is not so bad that it will catch the tip of the fingernail. My question is, in which situation should I use the orange (stiff) pad? Or should I use the white (softer) pad?
 
Poorboy said:
I have to agree with Jman :rockon for a fine swirl remover and for the polish, no more than a white polishing pad should have been used. Even a finishing pad with my polish at that point would have helped.
Just remember that there is a learning curve with new products and learning the correct combination of product and pad is part of it.
I'd say go back to the Fine Swirl remover with a white polishing pad and do the same with my polish and you should be fine :bigups
Click to expand...

+1
A simple rule is to use the least aggressive combo first.
Most of the time I am grabbing for a polishing pad , unless the surface is in rough shape.
 
p_dubs said:
Since I can't seem to upload the images, let me attempt to describe what I have. The car is a 1998 BMW 318ti. The body is straight, but the paint has swirl marks galore. It is not so bad that it will catch the tip of the fingernail. My question is, in which situation should I use the orange (stiff) pad? Or should I use the white (softer) pad?
Click to expand...
Sounds like you have Lake Country pads and the orange is a cutting pad used for removing scratches.
Use the orange pad and the more aggressive polish to remove all defects then switch to a white pad and use the fine polish.

After using the white pad If you want even better results use the Black pad and a very mild polish to make it look like a mirror.

You are trying to finish it with a cutting pad that would be like using a course sand paper instead of real fine paper to finish wood you will get poor results.
Both products that you have are capable of doing a outstanding job when properly used you need to learn proper technique. :)
 
As said above use the right pads. Always finish with white or black. Using a PC correctly takes practice and I know I need to practice more. My number one mistake is always using too much polish and second is not keeping the pad clean since the dried polish in the pad can affect the results.
 
I can't add anymore to what has been said. The lighter polishes sound have a finishing pad as others have pointed out. I'm only chiming in to reiterate that the XMT polishes are not cheap by any means. Sure, there are more expensive polishes out there that may be better under different circumstances but the XMT line is solid as is the Poorboy World's.
 
I have one more question now that I know how old the car is ... how many passes with the Swirl Remover and orange pad did you do? Were most of the swirls gone at this point? If not then you may need to start from scratch and make a few more passes at this level before you move on to lighter levels :passout:

ok it was more than one question :D
 
Since I have never used a cutting pad, I can't comment on the results you will get from one.
I have heard of marring from the use of a cutting pad and certain products with a PC.
Anyway:
Work on only one small section until you figure out a combination that works.
My first efforts would be with a polishing pad and only use the cutting pad if necessary.
I have no idea as to the abrasiveness of any of the XMT products, but Poorboy's SSR2.5 and Meguair's #83 will remove a lot of marring when used with a polishing pad. I use a speed of 5 or 6 and it takes some time. Some time being anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes in the same area if the paint is hard and the damage is severe.
I would probably try the orange light cutting pad in just one area and see it it is removing your original blemishes. If it does, then follow up with a polishing pad and the same product. That may be all you will need to do. If you still have some hazing, a polishing pad with your next least aggressive product would be my next step.
As an example of the time needed to correct paint compared to a rotary, a friend of mine can do more to a flaw in 2 minutes than I can in 20.
Consider the PC as a fast hand that doesn't get tired. :D
 
The orange pad is a light cutting pad and in his post #4 he said he had really bad scratches that is why I suggested the orange pad it is just a little more aggressive than white.

I always use the orange for correction unless it is just minor marring or you will be a long time with a PC.
Since he is seeing such bad scratches it would be my guess that after using the orange pad he still has them and he needs to do it again until all scratches are gone then use a white pad with a less aggressive polish.
Once the paint has been corrected then you won't need the orange pad for any minor marring from careless washing. or QD ing
 
Thanks for all your comments. Most of the heavy marring was removed with the first pass with the Orange pad. But it was a matter of getting the light scratches out that was a problem. I will try out the fine swirl remover with the white pad. What do you suggest is the next step? Or should I just use the Poorboy's Polish with the white pad? I'm still trying to figure why the server is rejecting the 470k images.
 
I have been fooled like "light" scratches. They are often deeper than they appear so you may need to work specific areas over again with the orange pad or try a white pad with the XMT SR if you want to try something less aggressive the second time.
 
p_dubs said:
Thanks for all your comments. Most of the heavy marring was removed with the first pass with the Orange pad. But it was a matter of getting the light scratches out that was a problem. I will try out the fine swirl remover with the white pad. What do you suggest is the next step? Or should I just use the Poorboy's Polish with the white pad? I'm still trying to figure why the server is rejecting the 470k images.
Click to expand...
You may not be working the product long enough.
If it don't break down you will have marring.

Use the white pad and the mild polish and work it until it looks like this.



Duragloss075.jpg
 
Bunky said:
I have been fooled like "light" scratches. They are often deeper than they appear so you may need to work specific areas over again with the orange pad or try a white pad with the XMT SR if you want to try something less aggressive the second time.
Click to expand...

yeah what he said :bigups
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top