Removing Pigtails

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

The problem with continuing to try and remove the pig tails is that I have no idea how much paint has already been removed due to polishing over the years. Without seeing it first hand, it is difficult to suggest that you try a couple more times in case you burn through the clear coat.

As I said in my first post and Frank also suggested, you could try M105. However, if UC with the terry cloth by hand is not doing it after a good 3 attempts, I really think it is best not to push your luck as you could chase the pig tails until you have burned through. Again, without seeing it first hand and seeing how the paint responds, I can not really say what to do.

It may be best to take the truck to a professional that has a paint thickness gauge who could measure the paint at that spot and on several panels in order to get an idea of how much clear there may be to play with. Either way, once scratches get so deep that they can be felt, that is usually a sign that it may not be safe to remove them by polishing without risking the longevity of your CC.

I know it is frustrating, but if the scratches are somewhat rounded over and look pretty good, it may be wise just to call it a day. Detailing is the type of obsession where a person keeps chasing the smallest imperfections. But that chasing eventually comes to a point where risking it may not be worth it.

Just some food for thought...

Tim

I know what you are saying Tim about commenting without actually seeing the vehicle first hand. I think there should be plenty of clear left though (I hope). Ultimate Compound has never touched my truck until the last 2 days in that one area only. The rest of the truck over the last 5+ years (I've owned it since new) that I have owned it, the most aggressive I have ever got was Some M80 once a year on a yellow pad with the G100 for the first few years, and mostly M66 or ColorX (cleaner waxes) with a yellow pad maybe twice a year and topped with waxes like M20, NXT, M26 and the like over the last few years. So I don't think I should have burned too much clear off. I have never been too too fussy about getting a swirl free finish being a daily driver and all.

I think I will just go over the rest of the pigtailed areas that I have not touched yet and do a couple passes over them to round them over some and leave it at that for now.

Thanks again Tim

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Removing Pigtails

You are very welcome! I just wish I could have been more help...

I have machine buffed my 1999 Super Duty many times over the years in order to keep it looking flawless. So I am certain that my paint would very far thinner than yours, based on what you have described as your polishing regiment. If it were me, I would probably try the M105 with the terry cloth, but that is me.

Tim

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

If it were me, I would probably try the M105 with the terry cloth, but that is me.

Tim

I ordered some M105. Well see how it goes once it gets here.

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

I went out in to the garage tonight and was playing with the camera and flash settings trying to get a better picture than I posted before of the actual pigtails for anyone viewing this thread in the future. Here is the best I could do at capturing them.





Still waiting on the M105 to get here.

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Removing Pigtails

Great shots 105 should do the trick 2 to worst case 3 passes

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

Great shots 105 should do the trick 2 to worst case 3 passes

I hope so. We'll give it a try when the 105 gets here.

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

I went out into the Garage Sunday and worked on those pigtails.

M105 by hand was not removing them to my satisfaction, and Mike Phillips recommended that I carefully try and feather sand them with some 2500 and 3000 Unigrit paper.

I'm happy to say that I was able to completely remove the pigtails by carefully feather sanding like Mike had suggested to me and then I removed the 3000 grit sanding marks with My G100 and some M105 on a 5.5" orange CCS pad and then followed up with M205 on the white pad. The finish looks great Now.

Just wanted to say thanks to Tim, Frank and Mike for all their suggestions in helping me remove those pigtails.

I'll try and post up a couple pictures tomorrow.

Thanks guys.

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

Here are the pictures.

Here you can see the the pigtails near the top of the bed reflecting in the sun.



Close up.



Close up in the garage under the halogens (before feather sanding)
It was tough to capture the pigtails inside the garage.



After feathersanding the pigtails with 2500 Unigrit and 3000 Unigrit Sandpaper



After polishing the sanding marks and remaining pigtails out with G100 and M105 followed by M205





Zoomed in on the one Halogen's reflection.



Outside afterwards. Unfortunately there was no sun.

[Mister B]

Re: Removing Pigtails

That's the best I could do for pictures. I know some of them are not that great, but I can't figure out how to take any better pictures with my Canon A560. I guess I need a better camera like some of you guys have. Or a better operator.