swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

[dreamps]

i used swirlx with a white pad(LC) and did 2 passes on a test spot and did not see the swirls gone. should i go to an orange pad(lc) or should i go to UC with a white pad or orange pad?

the test spot(1/2 my hood) was washed/clayed/washed before testing.

i am using a 7424xp

i broke down my 1/2 hood into 4 sections. 2008 jeep grand cherokee

thanks

here are what the swirls look like... mind you i used swirlx via white pad(lc) a week ago

[Michael Stoops]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

Nice to see you doing a test spot!

Let's talk a little about your technique:

• What speed did you run the machine at? (hopefully speed 5)
• How much pressure did you apply? (should be 15lbs or so - enough to deform the pad noticeably but not stop the rotation)
• How slowly/quickly did you move the machine over the paint? (slow arm movement is needed to give some "dwell" time to an area)
• How long did you work a given area? (SwirlX provides a very long buffing cycle, so you should be able to go over a given area 4 or 5 times, maybe more, with a single application of product)

It sounds like your test spot was a small enough area - 1/2 the hood further broken down into 4 sections gives you nice, tight work areas, which is great.

The above factors will ultimately play a big role in the final outcome. But the combination of SwirlX and the LC white pad is fairly mild to begin with, which makes the above list all the more critical.

If all the above points were done correctly then stepping up to the orange pad makes sense. If memory serves, that pad falls somewhere between our yellow polishing and maroon cutting pads so it shouldn't cause any issues such as micromarring, etc. If you already have an orange pad but have yet to purchase Ultimate Compound, try the orange pad first. You may need to follow with the white pad, but that is not a given and you may be just fine with the SwirlX/orange pad.

Just make sure you're doing the things noted above correctly.

[dreamps]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

Thanks Michael!

• What speed did you run the machine at? (hopefully speed 5)

i spread it with speed 2 and then used speed 5 to buff

• How much pressure did you apply? (should be 15lbs or so - enough to deform the pad noticeably but not stop the rotation)

yes 10-15lbs, i tested the pressure first on a scale! great tip i saw on the site

• How slowly/quickly did you move the machine over the paint? (slow arm movement is needed to give some "dwell" time to an area)

i moved 1-2" per sec and overlapped

• How long did you work a given area? (SwirlX provides a very long buffing cycle, so you should be able to go over a given area 4 or 5 times, maybe more, with a single application of product)

can't really remember bc it was about a week ago. i dont think i put enough product on while i tried this. i did not prep the pad at all and put 3 dime size spots on the white 6.5 pad... might have been my flaw. also swirlx was starting to dust after a while.

i do have orange pads but UC is very cheap so ill also try that. i will try swirlx with the orange pad first since i believe that is less aggressive.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

You may be right on the "not enough product" point based on your description. Apply the typical ring of product toward the outer edge of the pad, or an "x" through the center. Just make sure it's only a 1/4" or so bead of product. We've seen people make the "x" in the middle of the pad with way too much product.
There's a difference between x and x

[dreamps]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

yeah i was doign this after work and time was limited and i remember reading about too much product so on a new fresh pad i put 3 large pea size drops. i have a feeling that was too little i will use a new fresh pad and draw an X not a X... do you think swirlx with a white pad would be enough to remove these swirls? if it doesnt work i will take a video of my arm movement and then try an orange pad with swirlx. if that doesnt work ill move up to UC with a white pad. the truck was clayed so i will just rewash the hood.

[the_invisible]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

These swirls are very light and should NOT require Ultimate Compound. Also, an orange pad tends to leave very light swirls on the surface like the ones we see on your hood.


I would increase machine speed to 6 with a white pad and tweak the amount of product applied to remove these swirls. The high consistency of swirlX puts a lot of drag on the pad, so you will most likely need to increase the machine speed. 15lbs of pressure may be a little too much for speed 5 to allow the pads to spin freely. Increase machine speed!

[dreamps]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

yes i definitely agree with you! i thought these were light swirls as well and was surprised that the white pad with swirlx did not remove them. i will try again with more of a refined technique this weekend and post my results. thanks!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

The whole process of swirl removal isn't just about how light the swirls may or may not look. Some paint is much more difficult to correct than others, so what might appear to be equal swirls on two different cars may require very different approaches to remove them. The problem is, you never really know for sure what you've got until you start working on the paint.

[dreamps]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

since i am new to this truck i do not know how hard this clear coat is. hopefully i will be able to remove these swirls. im hoping swirlx with a white or orange pad will remove the swirls. i really do not want to move up to compound on a less than 1 year old truck. you never know huh? thanks again guys! i've been lurking on the site for a year and started posting recently

[sanddrag]

Re: swirlx and white/orange pad (lc)

Definitely give the LC orange pad a try. I'd doubt the white pad is firm enough to let you apply the pressure needed without it stopping the spinning. The orange pad with SwirlX works great for me on swirls like that, with a fair bit of pressure, speed 5, about 3 passes per application (by then it gets a little dusty), and two applications. Should take them all out. Sometimes (especially on a warm day) I like to hit the pad with a VERY fine mist (just one small shot) of Quick Detailer to give the SwirlX enough working time for one more pass. Not too much though, or you'll take away the cutting action with the extra lubrication.