Ultimate Compound scratch removal

[Stormy85]

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum and am hoping for your advice as my first polishing experiment is not going as planned.
I know the forum is generally for auto but I guess it all comes down to the secrets of the trade.

I have a bike frame which I have leveled using 2000grit and then started using Meguiars Ultimate Compound to remove the scratches. I started by hand but quickly realised that it would be a very large undertaking also considering the amount of pressure needed to see any kinds of results. In my despair I bought a Proxxon Dual Action polisher and tried it with the included yellow pad (its says medium pad in the instructions) but without any improvements. I then tried the included lamb wool (feels synthetic to me) which gave me some hope but not nearly what I was hoping for. Until know I have used the DA at medium speed (low is 800 and max is 2800 so I assume its around 1800). Also, I have done 2-3 passes but it doesnt seem to improve much.
I am also questioning whether I should have bought the orbital polisher from Proxxon instead as I have seen some people use those for the exact same job but because I am a novice I thought the DA would be a safer choice.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Ultimate Compound scratch removal

Welcome to Meguiar's Online & we are happy to help you even though not automotive. My first thought would be to purchase a stronger compound, like our M105 Ultra Cut Compound or M110 Ultra Pro Speed Compound.

If you are going to stay with using a d/a, you will need great technique, aggressive cutting pads like our D/A Microfiber Cutting Pads, to pull a mark like 2000 grit. You may not even be able to pull the marks fully even with the most aggressive set up on a d/a, it really depends on how resilient the paint is.

You might consider refining with a foam backed automotive sanding disc like 3M Trizact 3000 grit.

[Stormy85]

Re: Ultimate Compound scratch removal

Welcome to Meguiar's Online & we are happy to help you even though not automotive. My first thought would be to purchase a stronger compound, like our M105 Ultra Cut Compound or M110 Ultra Pro Speed Compound.

If you are going to stay with using a d/a, you will need great technique, aggressive cutting pads like our D/A Microfiber Cutting Pads, to pull a mark like 2000 grit. You may not even be able to pull the marks fully even with the most aggressive set up on a d/a, it really depends on how resilient the paint is.

You might consider refining with a foam backed automotive sanding disc like 3M Trizact 3000 grit.

Hi Nick

Thanks for your feedback.
I might have misspoken as I did actually go over with 3000grit. Due to the curvature of the tubes perhaps I didnt manage to get rid of all the 2000grit sanding marks which are the ones that are showing through?
Would the microfiber cutting pad be more aggressive than the wool pad? I though it was the other way around? If I was to switch to an orbital polisher would that make a difference in terms of aggresiveness. I am mostly afraid of burning through the paint as I am rather new to the whole cutting and polishing game.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Ultimate Compound scratch removal

Hi Nick

Thanks for your feedback.
I might have misspoken as I did actually go over with 3000grit. Due to the curvature of the tubes perhaps I didnt manage to get rid of all the 2000grit sanding marks which are the ones that are showing through?
Would the microfiber cutting pad be more aggressive than the wool pad? I though it was the other way around? If I was to switch to an orbital polisher would that make a difference in terms of aggresiveness. I am mostly afraid of burning through the paint as I am rather new to the whole cutting and polishing game.

What wool pad do you have & for which machine? D/A Polisher?

When you ask "If I switch to an orbital?" Do you mean rotary polisher?