SwirlX on Xirallic paint

[JagXK]

I recently bought a 2012 Jaguar XK convertible with Xirallic paint. The car had been driven by the dealership's manager, and had 1850 miles on it. The dealership had washed the car improperly, leaving light swirl marks. (I now use the double-bucket method with Grit Guards.)

I used SwirlX with a W-7006 pad on a Porter Cable 7424, which removed much of the swirls but didn't completely eliminate them. I was concerned about going too deep.

Should I take another pass at the car with the same products, use a different compound, or a different pad?

Does it help to buff the car with a very fine polish and soft pad after using SwirlX?

Thanks,
Robert

[Detailing by M]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

First off welcome to MOL!!!!

Well it all depends on your skills.
Brifly tell us what you know, that will help us tell what You can do.
Can you post some pics?

If it was me? No problem giving it another try. Your CC is new and it's all still there so you have some paint to work with.
BUT it was owned by someone who problably gave it to the Dealerships "detailwer" not that they are all bad but....
So your paint might have some CC removed by them

Another choice is to bring it to Meg's on TNOG on the 27th sign up here
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?57325-August-29th-2013-TNOG

[JagXK]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

Thanks for the reply. I'll take some photos. I just bought a dual-xenon light that really helps. The car was new at the dealership; it had just been driven by the sales manager for 1850 miles. I doubt that it had been detailed by them. I was thinking about joining the class in late August. That's a good idea. Thanks again.

[wifpd4]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

...
I was thinking about joining the class in late August. That's a good idea. Thanks again.

No, that's an excellent idea.

Meet and learn from the best, in a relaxed setting with other folks and with the tools you'll need and gain hands-on experience. Can't beat it.

[JagXK]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

You just convinced me. Plus, I live about an hour drive away.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

SwirlX is pretty light duty for the most part so it might not have been quite enough to get the job done here. Also, the W7006 cutting pad isn't recommended for use on a DA due to it's very aggressive nature often causing haze with that tool. Combine the two, SwirlX and a cutting pad, and you've actually got a bit of an odd combo (light duty liquid with a heavy duty pad). While not an automatic reason to assume a lack of results, it's not necessarily a "best practices" approach to paint correction. Come on down to a Saturday Class or Thursday Night Open Garage and we'll get you on the right track in no time.


Edit to add: By the way, dealing with this Xirallic paint isn't really any different than dealing with any other paint. Hardness or softness of the paint is always the trickiest thing do deal with, and this paint doesn't necessarily impact that aspect. Xirallic is essentially an enhanced metallic that's designed with a new breed of metallic particles in the paint that are supposed to give a much brighter metallic effect. Ford uses this quite a bit and it is very noticeable in their metallic black on their newer cars. It looks like there is a huge amount of flake in the paint and it is extremely bright, no doubt about it. The effect can be enhanced with proper defect removal and finish polishing, and a combo of Ultimate Compound for defect removal and M205 Ultra Finishing Polish for gloss and clarity enhancement tends to really maximize the effects of these metallic particles.

[JagXK]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

Thanks for that insight. I also have W-8006 and W-9006 pads. Which of those two would you recommend for my situation?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: SwirlX on Xirallic paint

Normally we would go with the W8006 and Ultimate Compound as a starting point, with the buffer set to speed 5, moderate pressure, slow movements across the paint and working an area no larger than 2' x 2'.