Mild Paint Correction / Polishing - need thoughts on assessment and product selection

[D.R.]

I'm beginning to learn how to use my g110v2 dual-action polisher. As a first step I watched a handful of YouTube videos and read some threads here and other places. I also picked up the most mild of products at a local store that carries the Professional line. I was reading the bottles of the various products and picked M205, which had the lowest "cut rating" of the products on the shelf and states "removes swirls and light defects from all paints". The paint has a lot of flake and I honestly don't think it's swirled or at least I can't see any. I can see a bit of orange peel and fine scratches.

M205 + g110v2 - I figured I'd give it a go and work on my technique with the DA polisher and follow the "use the most mild product that will get the job done" approach. So I did my hood and although it's shiny and smooth, I'm not sure the M205 touched any of the mild scratches in the paint (I thought light scratches and light defects were synonymous). I even used some painters tape on the first section I did and I didn't notice any change in even the slight scratches even after working my test spot 3 or 4 times with various pressure and speeds. Anyway, I'm not mad or disappointed. I got some quality time behind the polisher without doing any apparent damage so I call that a successful learning experience. Put some wax on it for protection as well.

I've since picked up some different products to continue the journey/experiment/paint correction process. I'd like to know what you think about when you look at a car's paint, decided if more improvement/mirroring is possible, and choose a product.

The car: 2006 Subaru WRX - metallic silver
- so 6 year old metallic silver Subaru paint with some light scratches and some orange peel
- some periods of neglect, but nothing too serious, typically garage-kept. I'm not aware of any previous paint correction (I bought it a couple years old).

The goal: as close to mirror finish as possible taking as little clear coat as possible. Time is not a concern.

Products available: g110v2 w/ polishing pad, M205 (Ultra Finishing Polish), M2 (Fine Cut Cleaner), M83 (Dual Action Cleaner Polish), M105 (Ultra Cut Cleaner), wax

Which would you use? (or other?)


Thanks for your time,
Dave

Pictures showing my progress so far, but also showing some fine scratches and the orange peel. (I drove it a little and used some Quick Detailer before these pics)

good enough from afar


some light scratches and orange peel


close-up (aka an excuse to use the macro lens)

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: Mild Paint Correction / Polishing - need thoughts on assessment and product selec

Here is what I would do:

Note Subies are know for soft clear

Dawn Wash with 2 bucket or foam gun with grit guards
Clay
Test spot with 205 and polishing pad....................desired results continue, undesirable results see next step
Test spot with 105 and polishing pad....................desired results continue, undesirable results see next step
Test spot with 105 and cutting pad.......................evaluate results
After 105 follow up with 205 to clear up haze or marring
If dusting and residue are prevalent, wash again with car wash soap
LSP for silver Megs NXT 2.0 paste or Megs Ultimate Paste Wax

[Murr1525]

Re: Mild Paint Correction / Polishing - need thoughts on assessment and product selec

The orange peel you are stuck with.

I would want to dio a test spot with Ult. Compound. It is much easier to use than the #105.

[D.R.]

Re: Mild Paint Correction / Polishing - need thoughts on assessment and product selec

I decided to do a bit of an experiment. Murr, you may ultimately be right about the orange peel, but I'm positive that it's now better than it was.

I first washed the car and clayed the hood and roof.

I decided to do a side-by-side on the M2 (Fine cut cleaner) and M83 (dual action cleaner polish) products that I already had to get a feel for what to expect from them.

Using a brand new polishing pad I ended up doing 2 passes with the M2 since I was a bit unsure of my technique on the first pass. I did notice some improvement of the fine scratches. But I saw that with 1 pass of the M83 on a slightly used pad the results were better than the two passes of the M2. I also did a second pass with the M83 on that test panel and the improvement continued.

Notes: the M2 seemed to dry out quickly and the DACP seems pretty slick at times (the pad would stop spinning) so I probably need to refine either my technique or probably the amount of product. The DACP got a bit dusty once the edge of the pad began to dry out, but I guess that's to be expected. I didn't have time or enough pads, guts, or patience today to try a test of the M105, but perhaps I'll experiment with that and Ultimate Compound when I work on the roof.


after 2 passes with M2


after 1 pass with M83


after 2 passes with M83