Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

[SEVY B]

Just pick up a '88 Alfa Romeo Spider. Red color, single stage paint. So far I washed and clayed the car. Then I did a test spot with my DA polisher, polishing pad and M80...did nothing to the improve the imperfections. So I repeated the process, again nothing. Then I switched to a cutting pad+M80...again nothing. Hmmm.......

So I pulled out the 1st generation M105 and the cutting pad and I got some results. After all the M105 work, I followed up w/ M205 and a polishing pad the waxed w/ Nxt tech 2.0. I was working in my garage and the lighting was decent. However, I was taught to use 2 different light sources...so I did. When I rolled the car back to be under direct sunlight....I was pretty dissapoined that the below surface defect (water etching) marks were still there!

Not really sure what the next step is here. I threw the swirl killer M105 at it and I still have defects. This may require some advanced techniques, (ie. wet sanding, rotary buffer).

PLease advise.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

Well it sounds like your on the right path
You might want to try it again
You need to get a good light sorce so you can see what you doing to your paint
Here's a Swirl finder-

[SEVY B]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

You think that I should hit it again with M105 and the cutting pad?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

You think that I should hit it again with M105 and the cutting pad?

• Try M105 with the cutting pad
• Work a small section, about a foot squared. Keep your work area small while you're in the testing phase.
• Use the 5.0 Speed Setting
• Push down as hard as you can while holding the pad flat to the surface but make sure you're still maintaining a fairly fast clip of speed for pad rotation.
• If you have not marked the back of your pads then place a mark on the back of the pad and/or backing plate so that you can more easily see that the pad is rotating.

Work your section using the above tips and if you're still not seeing the Type II Water Spot Etchings coming out then you'll likely need a rotary buffer.

[SEVY B]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

I'll put a little more passion behind the DA.

Only used the rotary in the advanced techniques class. I have to say that I'm still a bit nervous with the rotary...actually don't even have one yet. Might be time to step up....

[Superior Shine]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

• Try M105 with the cutting pad
• Work a small section, about a foot squared. Keep your work area small while you're in the testing phase.
• Use the 5.0 Speed Setting
• Push down as hard as you can while holding the pad flat to the surface but make sure you're still maintaining a fairly fast clip of speed for pad rotation.
• If you have not marked the back of your pads then place a mark on the back of the pad and/or backing plate so that you can more easily see that the pad is rotating.

Work your section using the above tips and if you're still not seeing the Type II Water Spot Etchings coming out then you'll likely need a rotary buffer.

Rotary buffer indeed!

Paint was swirled, oxidized and stained with water spots.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

Most of the car was single stage paint as the wool pad pulled color fromt he paint. Some parts were clear coat base coat.




Hows this for a businessman, I recruited the customer to polish!

With little direction form me he was polishing up a storm.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

I continued on with the rotary/#105 as Sevag chased me with the G100 and #205.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

A light rain started to fall so we pulled the car into the garage for a coat of wax.





Dual xenon light picture -

[Superior Shine]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

Here are a few outside pictures.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

Nice work on the Alfa!

[SEVY B]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

Only one comment from you guys!!!!! Car came out really nice.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

It isn't in the show off your detail section.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Project Alfa, Below Surface Defects

Nice job!