Scratches reappear after a week...

[Geeky]

Hi,

I'm from Oman and Meguiar's products are not sold here except a few. When ever I googled best polish or wax, Meguiar's name always popped up and the "How to" videos on youtube are just so easy to follow. So somehow I managed to order the Ultimate products along with a DA polisher and tried them on my car.

I own a Dark Blue Toyota Corolla 2014. I had a lot of swirl marks on my car and after using the Compound\Polish\Tech Wax 2.0 combination I was able to clean 95% of the swirl marks. I was able to finish the hood and one side of the car. The roof and the other side I will be doing this weekend hopefully. Now my question is when I finished the Compound\Polish\Tech Wax 2.0 on some parts of my car I was able to see an easy 95% reduction in swirl marks but yesterday when I inspected the car I was able to see a few old scratch marks pop up again. I am sure that it still looks much better then before but I don't understand why these scratches are appearing again and that too just in a weeks time. After the Compound\Polish\Tech Wax 2.0 I cleaned the car daily with a very soft cotton towel. I used to clean it very gently and there is no way I am making new scratches so my only assumption is that these are older scratches that are reappearing again. It still looks better then before but why are these scratch marks appearing so soon again?

Sorry but I got a lot of questions and I cant call the call centers because its going to cost a fortune...

Does the compound contains fillers that vanish with time or something? I used wax, I thought it was supposed to seal my work for at least a month. Its winter here but temperatures go up to 32 C nowadays and 52 C in Summer. Is 32 C a lot? I was afraid of using the DA polisher at a higher speed so I used it at around half the speed my drill allows. I was able to see good results so I thought its enough but is it possible that I am seeing the scratch marks again because I used it at a slower speed? I been getting a lot of dew drops on the car but I dry and clean the car everyday before I park it in the sunlight. Can dew drops be the problem? The scratches I see now are not deep, They don't catch my fingernail. I just want to make sure that the car stays free of swirl marks for at least a few weeks because otherwise its just too much work for a short time. Ive seen every video there is about using the DA polisher and the other products I used. I cant figure out what I did wrong.

Help! TIA...Sorry about my bad English but I think I was able to convey the message.
Geeky

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

just realized the forum format does not allow the use of degrees sign. The Degree symbol... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degree_symbol

[Nick Winn]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Ok so I just want to get a few things straight here, you are using our DA Power System Drill Attachment correct? If so which pad were you using when applying our Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, & NXT Tech Wax 2.0? Also, what rpm speed range does your drill operate at? Typically this is located on the side of the drill. For your DA Power System Drill Attachment, we recommend a drill with a max speed range of around 2500 - 2800 rpms.

My first thought it that the scratches you are seeing have were not taking out during your initial compounding step. Ultimate Polish & NXT Tech Wax 2.0 have some natural ability to certain defects to a certain extent, but I don't believe that is the case here.

Are you using any type of special lighting when you are trying to remove the defects? If not, an LED light can really help during this process.

What are you using along with the cotton terry cloth towel to remove the dust & clean the car?

Thanks!

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Ok so I just want to get a few things straight here, you are using our DA Power System Drill Attachment correct? If so which pad were you using when applying our Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, & NXT Tech Wax 2.0? Also, what rpm speed range does your drill operate at? Typically this is located on the side of the drill. For your DA Power System Drill Attachment, we recommend a drill with a max speed range of around 2500 - 2800 rpms.

My drill has a small sticker that says 3000 rpm max. So I was probably operating it at 1500 rpms when using the red pad for the compound, Yellow for polish and black for wax.

Are you using any type of special lighting when you are trying to remove the defects? If not, an LED light can really help during this process.

I used a quite powerful led light with a very bring spot light. I don't think light is a problem. I was enjoying the whole thing and pretty much saw the car from all angles. Its was scratch less, as I said 95 % clear. Maybe one or two small light scratches here and there.

What are you using along with the cotton terry cloth towel to remove the dust & clean the car?

I used nothing. I was just removing the dirt with the towel by gently moving it on the car. No pressure at all.

Thanks for the reply.

[04blkpearlcoupe]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Did you inspect it with the LED light before you applied the tech wax or after? It should be inspected right after polishing and before applying wax because the wax will fill in scratches and make them appear to be gone.

[The Guz]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

I am with Nick on those areas not being corrected or they require more work for them to be removed.

I would also consider switching to microfiber towels instead of cotton.

Also I would not be using a dry towel to remove dirt or any kind of dust. I would recommend using a quick detailer of some sort.

[BillE]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Geeky,

Totally of topic, but to use the 'degree' symbol, try using "alt248".

Example: My current temp -7

[BillE]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Geeky,

Totally of topic, but to use the 'degree' symbol, try using "alt248".

Example: My current temp -7

This did not work-please remove.

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Inspected it before I applied wax and the scratches are appearing now...

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

04blkpearlcoupe - Inspected it before I applied wax and Im sure the scratches are appearing now...


The Guz - Point noted, Next time I will try to make sure I compound with a faster speed and inspect it carefully afterwards. About the towels. The ones I got are border less ad really soft stuff. There is no way they are creating scratches, especially with the way I am using them but I will still try to use both on different areas and check the difference after a week.

BillE - Thanks I will try to avoid using the degree sign

Thanks all, Any other suggestions are most welcome...

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

My first thought it that the scratches you are seeing have were not taking out during your initial compounding step. Ultimate Polish & NXT Tech Wax 2.0 have some natural ability to certain defects to a certain extent, but I don't believe that is the case here.

Nicholas - Could you please elaborate a little about this.

TIA

[The Guz]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

Inspected it before I applied wax and the scratches are appearing now...

When reading this it is leading me to a few things. I could be wrong as I am not physically there to witness what is going on.

1. The areas where the defects are reappearing have not been worked enough or they are too deep for DAPS attachment to remove with a drill. Possibly needing to go with an actual dual action polisher to get better results.

2. With the DAPS, it needs to be held at a certain angle to have it work properly. The defects could be an issue with refining your technique with the DA drill attachment.

3. The towels are causing these defects when removing NXT. It is known as towel marring.

4. Has the area been repainted? The reason I ask is because repainted areas behave differently than factory paint.

Nicholas - Could you please elaborate a little about this.

TIA

I'm not Nick but ultimate polish is rich in polishing oils. These polishing oils will darken the paint but they can also fill in defects. Now this does not meet it has fillers. The oils are there to act as a lubricant between the pad and painted surface. So it is possible that there is residual oils left behind by ultimate polish. This is why some of us use a prep wipe like IPA or a product similar to CarPro Eraser. These are intended to remove polishing oils. NXT has been said to hide defects as well as it is considered a polish wax. Not an abrasive polish ultimate polish.

Nick can elaborate a little more on this. I am giving you the non technical description.

[Lydia]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

I agree with Guz in his recommendation to use some kind of a quick detailer spray if possible when you are wiping the vehicle down. Also, if you aren't already doing this, be sure to switch to a clean part of the towel often. Otherwise you may be trapping dirt in your towel and scratching the paint with that. Since you said the scratches that are reappearing aren't deep, I'm wondering if perhaps this is what's happening. If it was a matter of polishing oils and NXT wax filling the scratches, I guess I'm surprised that the effects would go away that quickly.

Also, like he mentioned, wiping the paint carefully with isopropyl alcohol after using Ultimate Polish is a good way to make sure the swirls are indeed gone. I wouldn't necessarily wipe the whole vehicle down with it, but maybe do a portion to get a better idea of what you're working with. Be careful to use a soft cloth for this also to avoid marring the paint. I would personally recommend isopropyl alcohol diluted 1 part alcohol to 9 parts water. I'm not sure how IPA is sold where you are but here in the states it's sold diluted a few different ways so you may have to do some math to get it diluted to roughly 10%.

When you said they are reappearing, are the swirls reappearing or does it appear to be individual deeper scratches? I think the most important thing is to find out whether these are old scratches that are reappearing or whether they are new scratches. Then you can go about addressing the issue.

Your English is excellent, by the way!

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

1. The areas where the defects are reappearing have not been worked enough or they are too deep for DAPS attachment to remove with a drill. Possibly needing to go with an actual dual action polisher to get better results.

I have plans to buy an actual dual action polisher but not now.

2. With the DAPS, it needs to be held at a certain angle to have it work properly. The defects could be an issue with refining your technique with the DA drill attachment.

Yeah I noticed this because the hood looks much better then the trunk area. All done by me but maybe I was using different angles. Do you know of any articles or videos explaining this?

3. The towels are causing these defects when removing NXT. It is known as towel marring.

I used microfiber when I was applying meguiars products but I will try to use microfiber now...

4. Has the area been repainted? The reason I ask is because repainted areas behave differently than factory paint.

Nope, No accidents or repaints so far. Its all factory paint unless the dealership lied to me

I'm not Nick but ultimate polish is rich in polishing oils.

Someone spending time, trying to solve my problem. I cant thank you enough

These polishing oils will darken the paint but they can also fill in defects. Now this does not meet it has fillers. The oils are there to act as a lubricant between the pad and painted surface. So it is possible that there is residual oils left behind by ultimate polish. This is why some of us use a prep wipe like IPA or a product similar to CarPro Eraser. These are intended to remove polishing oils. NXT has been said to hide defects as well as it is considered a polish wax. Not an abrasive polish ultimate polish.

Yeah I will carefully inspect UC next time I use it. I need to remember that the scratches left after using UC is what I will get after a week or so.

Thanks

[Geeky]

Re: Scratches reappear after a week...

I agree with Guz in his recommendation to use some kind of a quick detailer spray if possible when you are wiping the vehicle down. Also, if you aren't already doing this, be sure to switch to a clean part of the towel often. Otherwise you may be trapping dirt in your towel and scratching the paint with that. Since you said the scratches that are reappearing aren't deep, I'm wondering if perhaps this is what's happening. If it was a matter of polishing oils and NXT wax filling the scratches, I guess I'm surprised that the effects would go away that quickly.

I have detailers spray that I used for claying but somehow I don't like the idea of using it on a dirty car. All that dust, getting wet and sticky, it feels like it will put more scratches. I need to try using it once though. I will give it a try today. The scratches I see now are not deep and I feel another pass of UC will probably get rid of them but I must resist the urge Just used it a week ago. Ive decided not to use it again for a few months. Or maybe try 105 after a year.

Also, like he mentioned, wiping the paint carefully with isopropyl alcohol after using Ultimate Polish is a good way to make sure the swirls are indeed gone. I wouldn't necessarily wipe the whole vehicle down with it, but maybe do a portion to get a better idea of what you're working with. Be careful to use a soft cloth for this also to avoid marring the paint. I would personally recommend isopropyl alcohol diluted 1 part alcohol to 9 parts water. I'm not sure how IPA is sold where you are but here in the states it's sold diluted a few different ways so you may have to do some math to get it diluted to roughly 10%.

I will try to search for IPA.

When you said they are reappearing, are the swirls reappearing or does it appear to be individual deeper scratches? I think the most important thing is to find out whether these are old scratches that are reappearing or whether they are new scratches. Then you can go about addressing the issue.

I was assuming with all the care Ive taken that these are old scratches but I think I will be able to tell the difference next time. I am planning to use different cloths on different areas to find out the root cause of these scratches.

Your English is excellent, by the way!

Thanks, too many grammar nazis at my workplace got my confidence down