paint rubbed on applicator pad???

[blkcam]

So I was polishing the door on my LX450 today because it was not in the best condition. This was also my first time polishing anything so I would consider this a practice.

Anyways, I washed the door, dryed it, and then cleaned it with swirl X, followed by deep crystal polish and then waxed it.

Now when I cleaned and polished it, I worked the swirlX and polish in to the paint but look at what happened to my applicator pad----->





Is this paint???
I think it is because the car was clean before I did anything to it.

Is it normal for applicator pads to look like this??
I need to know because today was my first time ever polishing and I considered it more of a practice before I go and do my entire Tahoe next week.

Btw, I did it by hand. I don't have a DA yet.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

Usually if you have a single stage paint job, as you work any kind of abrasive product against the paint you'll see pigment, or color come off in a uniform manner like this,





In your pictures, it almost looks like you're removing dirt, tar and/or road grime, possibly off a lower panel that didn't get wash well enough?

There are tinted clears so it's possible if your car has a tinted clear coat that you're seeing some color from the tinting.

If you take a clean applicator pad and work on a panel like the hood or trunk lid do you see uniform black color coming off onto your pad?


Check this thread,

How To Test for a Clearcoat or Single Stage Paint Finish

[xantonin]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

You failed to mention the most critical part of telling if that's paint: What color is your paint?

Anyways, I washed the door, dryed it, and then cleaned it with swirl X, followed by deep crystal polish and then waxed it.

Did you clay bar as well? If not, sounds like that's just dirt as Mike said.

[blkcam]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

The color of the paint is black.
I think it looks like dirt because there is still a little bit of polish on those pads.
and I did the upper part of the door panel, not the lower plastic part that gets dirty usually.

Mike, thanks for the link. I think my car does have single stage paint and on top of that it is in horrible condition compared to my tahoe so I do also need to clay it.

Also, I washed the pads and they look brand new, everything came off with no problem

[Murr1525]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

They dont really look black enough for black paint... You'll be ok.

Nothing wrong with changing pads in the middle if you are concerned, but definately have an extra in case you drop one.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

To me, it looks more like dirt.

[xantonin]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

Yes, but if it's dirt that's a really bad thing to occur while you're using a pure polish or polishing in general.

You may have caused some swirls, scratches or marring.

[blkcam]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

In that case im 100% sure its not dirt because the paint felt soft and smooth when I was done and in the sun there were no swirls or scratches

[Zuke]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

Did you clay after washing?

[blkcam]

Re: paint rubbed on applicator pad???

No.
I should have clayed because the paint was not in the best condition.