HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

[RSnider]

I'm at the end of my patience with this dilemma. I spent DAYS going over my Helrot '97 BMW M3 with UC and a rotary to get a crystal clear shine (with a few holograms, albeit). To remove the holograms, I tried using SwirlX with a Porter Cable DA. I followed Meguiar's recommendations exactly for PC speed, applied pressure and pad type for SwirlX. I'm using a meg's yellow polishing pad with the PC set to 4-5 and applying 15-20 lbs of pressure. I've read all through meguiar's threads about arm speed and I'm certain I'm not moving my arm too fast. I just cleaned the pad (full wash and air dry), so a dirty pad isn't the culprit.

I laid down a tape line to check the before/after and the difference is like night and day!

I have tried every combination of PC speed and applied pressure and they all produce the same results: HAZE.

Is it possible that I received a bad batch of SwirlX? Does BMW paint from 1997 just hate SwirlX? What is going on?! Please help before I resort to pulling my hair out, going back to the rotary and just living with holograms.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Have you tried using less pressure and/or a finishing pad?

It may be possible that the SwirlX/speed/yellow pad are still too aggressive to finish out properly. Give it a try with less pressure and the yellow pad, and if that doesn't do it, try a finishing pad.

If you still can't get it to finish out properly, check back and we can discuss other product choices that might "play nice" with your paint.

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

I have tried everything... High speed + high pressure; low speed + high pressure; high speed + low pressure ; low speed + low pressure and everything in between.

Just tried a 9000 series finishing pad with the same results.

[tcope1]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Pictures?

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?



It's pretty evident where the strip of tape was located.

I'm beginning to think the problem lies within the SwirlX because a hand application of SwirlX with a brand new foam applicator yielded the same results.

Is it possible that I received a bad batch of SwirlX?

Also, does humidity and temperature effect SwirlX's ability to break down with a PC?

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Pictures?

Posted a picture, waiting on moderator approval.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Well, I would say it is "possible" you got a bad bottle, but it's also possible that you simply have a very sensitive paint that needs something less aggressive.

Do you have any of the medium of fine polishes that use traditional abrasives as opposed to the new SMAT?

The original formula of ScratchX, M09, M82, and M80 all come to mind as "possible" solutions that are inexpensive to try.

M205 is a newer product that I have never experienced hazing with, but it does use SMAT abrasives as well.

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

The only products I have at the moment are Ultimate Compound, SwirlX and Show Car Glaze, which would only cover the problem.

What I don't understand is how Ultimate Compound applied with a rotary buffer (in the hands of a novice) could produce a haze free finish, yet something less abrasive than UC applied with a PC leaves a hazed finish...

With the weather system that just blew in, it will be a while before I can get to the stores. Going on week 3 of not having my car, it looks like. :/

[Markus Kleis]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

The only products I have at the moment are Ultimate Compound, SwirlX and Show Car Glaze, which would only cover the problem.

What I don't understand is how Ultimate Compound applied with a rotary buffer (in the hands of a novice) could produce a haze free finish, yet something less abrasive than UC applied with a PC leaves a hazed finish...

With the weather system that just blew in, it will be a while before I can get to the stores. Going on week 3 of not having my car, it looks like. :/

Without being there to test it out or at least observe the process myself, it's hard to say.

Sometimes things just don't work together... that's what makes automotive detailing so addicting... it takes a lifetime of practice just to get the hang of things!

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

The PC I'm using is borrowed from a friend and I just realized the pads it came with are 8" meg's pads. Could the pad size be limiting the cutting ability of the SwirlX resulting in a rough finish?

[OBSSEST]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Was the paint badly oxidized before? You still have mad scratches on there for having used a rotary with UC already prior to this step.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

The PC I'm using is borrowed from a friend and I just realized the pads it came with are 8" meg's pads. Could the pad size be limiting the cutting ability of the SwirlX resulting in a rough finish?

Possible, but I don't think that is the issue. You said you did it by hand with the same result, right?

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Was the paint badly oxidized before? You still have mad scratches on there for having used a rotary with UC already prior to this step.

No, the paint was not badly oxidized before. This was my first attempt at using a rotary and being the third owner of this vehicle, I didn't know if it had ever been buffed prior to this, so I was extremely cautious to remove as little clear coat as possible and not burn the paint. Under anything other than my LED work light (or a Brinkmann dual xenon), the scratches you see are invisible, so I chose to err on the side of caution with the rotary and UC.

Possible, but I don't think that is the issue. You said you did it by hand with the same result, right?

Good point. I'm still wondering if temperature and humidity could have anything to do with the breakdown process of SwirlX. It was snowing outside, so the humidity must've been near 90% inside my garage. I had a heater going, but the temperature was only 45-50 degrees F. I remember reading a post on the megs forums about a minimum working temp of 50-55, but I can't remember what product it applied to.

[RSnider]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Also, a lot of those scratches are from getting a bit too aggressive with the microfiber out of frustration.

[tincan]

Re: HAZING! SwirlX or PC?

Hi

Is it the same problem as i have below



It happens when i use swirlx or UC by hand and i can't remove it off completely.