Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

[cubbies21]

Hey guys,

I have a black '07 Chevy and its my daily ride. This winter we had a lot of snow- meaning A LOT of salt build up on the paint throughout the winter. In addition, my car has a lot of swirls and cob webs along with some isolated scratches.

I really am focused on removing the moderate to heavy swirls on the black paint. Being that the car is still fairly new ('07), what can I use that will be safe (its a clear coat finish), but COMPLETELY remove ALL swirls.

note: I will be using a DA Polisher with polishing and finishing pads.
If you guys can also tell me what pads to use with what product in what order that will be great!

Is UC too aggressive and will leave micro-abrasion?

Sorry for all the questions. just anxious to start polishing now that its getting warmer.

[Carfire]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

The Term You Are Looking For Is Micro Marring.
I Believe UC Should Not Leave Behind Micro Marring, But I may Be Wrong.
But It Really Depends on How You Work the Product.
Also To Choose the Correct Product, How Bad are the Swirls?
**Remember Least Aggressive Method Possible**
Good Luck!!

[cubbies21]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

I'd say the swirls are bad enough that when the car is parked in the sun you first notice the swirls, over noticing the paint. Its not the WORST thing you have ever seen, but still moderately- severe.

Does scratchX and/or SwirlX remove moderate swirls or simply light swirls?

[Murr1525]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

UC would be a strong product to jump straight to.

Something like SwirlX, #80, #205 would be better choices. You would use the 8006 or 8027 polishing pads for them.

[cubbies21]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

Alright, I'll probably go with scratchx


thanks for the quick help guys

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

I really am focused on removing the moderate to heavy swirls on the black paint. Being that the car is still fairly new ('07), what can I use that will be safe (its a clear coat finish),

but COMPLETELY remove ALL swirls.

All our products are clear coat safe, we understand that 99.9% of all new cars being manufactures have a clear coat finish and we take this into consideration when we make our products for the entire market.

A word of caution about trying to completely remove ALL the swirls. If this is a daily driver it's likely going to get swirls and scratches again just from normal wear-and-tear, plus any time it's not washed like it was a black show car. So for daily drivers it's usually a better idea to aim for a little lower than perfection, for example real good. You can make that choice but keep in mind, removing swirls and scratches means removing clear paint off the car and all the UV protection is in the clear layer.

Check out this thread for a detailed explanation of what it means to remove swirls and scratches...

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...


Here's another one for good measure,

Which products need to dry before removing?

note: I will be using a DA Polisher with polishing and finishing pads.
If you guys can also tell me what pads to use with what product in what order that will be great!

First read this,

How To use: G110 - G220 - G100 - PC/Porter Cable - UDM
If you're moving up to machine polishing, be sure to read the below thread before starting...
Tips & Techniques for using the G110, G100, G220 and the PC Dual Action Polisher
(These are all similar tools)


For removing defects use polishing pads like these, W8207 or W-8006, the W8207 pads are washable in a washing machine, the W-8006 are not.

For applying a finishing wax, (NXT is a finishing wax), use either W9207 or W-9006, the the W9207 pads are washable in a washing machine, the W-9006 are not.

For removing swirls use the 5.0 Speed Setting
For spreading out a wax use the 3.0 to 4.0 Speed Setting.

Is UC too aggressive and will leave micro-abrasion?

You only have to work the product until you're satisfied with how the paint looks, or until you're happy with the amount of swirls and scratches are removed, after that you can stop running the polisher which means you'll stop removing paint.

The most important thing to do is a TEST SPOT first. Check to see if Ultimate Compound is removing defects to your satisfaction and leaving a nice looking finish, (that's 2 things). Remember polishing paint is an art form, not just a mechanical process. After working a section with Ultimate Compound, bring your downward pressure up and make a few more passes with lighter pressure. Then wipe the residue off and inspect.

If the finish looks great that means the pain on your car is easily polishable and after the UC you can go straight to wax, if you see some haze then that means you're paint isn't as polishable as everyone hopes for and you may have to do a second polishing step with a less aggressive product like the SwirlX.

TEST SPOT

Doing A Test-Spot

Before going over the entire car, see if you can make just one small section look good, that is apply the product you're planning on using over the entire car to just one small section about a foot squared or so. Work it in and then wipe it off, then apply the polish, work it in but not as much as the compound because now you're not trying to remove paint, just spread the product out, then immediately wipe it off, then apply the wax and let it fully dry and then wipe it off.

Now inspect our results. Make sure you can make one small section look GREAT before going over then entire car. If you can't make one small section look GREAT you won't be able to make the entire car look GREAT.

Make sense?

It should look like this,




And if you're having any problems, the post back here after the test section and we'll help you tweak your technique to insure you get it right.

Info dump on the way...

[cubbies21]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

Thanks a lot Mike

[Megafast13]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

Here you go

1.Wash: NXT Wash, 2 Buckets, Grit Guards
2. Clay: Smooth Surface Clay Kit
3. M105: Polishing Pad--Speed 4 or 5 by DA
4. M205: Polishing Pad--Speed 4 or 5 by DA
5. Wax: NXT Tech Wax 2.0--Speed 3 by DA

UC is nice but if you have a DA then use the Pro Line Duo.

If you can't get that than use

3.Ultimate Compound: Polishing Pad--Speed 4/5
4.SwirlX: Polishing Pad--Speed 4/5

Remember to do a TEST SPOT First!

Mike is going to dump the same stuff and then some below!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

Read through this too...

Using the G-110 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

[cubbies21]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

I truly appreciate all the info and with SUCH SPEED!

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO HELPED!!!

[Carfire]

Re: Need help before I start Spring off on the right foot.

No Problem!!
That is What We Are Here For!!
Good Luck with Your Swirl Removing!!