C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

[Mike Phillips]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

The panels that I have buffed using M105 appear a duller black under my LED light and slightly less reflective compared to the sections I have not touched at all. Is this normal?

This is just M105, M205 and ColorX have not been used yet.

For a black car using a DA style polisher, yes and no. Some paints polish out better than others and under a bright light will look darker and more clear, that's what we always hope for. The same chemical used with the same pad on a rotary would leave a more clear finish but it would likely also leave light holograms which are usually removed with a DA Polisher. It's in part the oscillating action that causes the haze. Of course working by hand has it's faults and drawbacks too...

What kind of light are you using? Not sure how it compares to the Brinkman but there's a reason the Brinkman is referred to as a Cruel Master.

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

The panels that I have buffed using M105 appear a duller black under my LED light and slightly less reflective compared to the sections I have not touched at all. Is this normal?

This is just M105, M205 and ColorX have not been used yet.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

I have also used M09 with a finish pad to remove marring on my vette.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

If all this ColorX ends up doing is filling in the micro-marring so it doesn't show, what difference would it make if I used the ColorX or just moved right on to waxing?

There's a good chance it will remove it but you won't know unless you strip the wax off and then inspect the results.

SwirlX is stronger than M205 so it could be it might work also if the M205 wasn't strong enough to remove any marring left behind by the M105

We've had so few problems with micro-marring since we introduced these new products that it's really a case of testing until you find the right combination of products that will produce the results you're looking for.

Would the NXT Tech Wax or a good glaze do the same thing and fill in the Micro Marring?

Tech Wax would easily mask the micro-marring.

A product like M07 would do a pretty good job too but it's water soluble while Tech Wax is water in-soluble.


Wish I could be there in person to help you dial in a successful system...

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

Picked up the ColorX this afternoon, but before I get back to it...a question. If all this ColorX ends up doing is filling in the micro-marring so it doesn't show, what difference would it make if I used the ColorX or just moved right on to waxing?

Would the NXT Tech Wax or a good glaze do the same thing and fill in the Micro Marring?

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

I agree. It's a good thing I'm stubborn. I'll try some more local shops and see if I can track down ColorX.

Edit: Ordered from local supply store, picking it up ColorX tomorrow.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

I will pick up ColorX this afternoon and give it a shot. I don't care if it just masks it. My only objective is to not see it. Thanks.

ColorX should work either way.

Could SwirlX Swirl Remover be used in place of ColorX? Which is better?

SwirlX is like M205 only more aggressive, so if M205 isn't working then chances are SwirlX won't work either, but you never know until you try. For now I would stick with ColorX if that doesn't work then I would try SwirlX.


Would be nice if Corvettes were famous for their easy to polish paint instead of their reputation for having horribly hard paint to work on.

[Desertdawg]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

I forgot about colorX, I think your going to like the results from this product. Then you can move on to the rest of your Corvette with what you have learned so far.
Now I can't wait to see that fiberglass shine!!!

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

Could SwirlX Swirl Remover be used in place of ColorX? Which is better?

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

I will pick up ColorX this afternoon and give it a shot. I don't care if it just masks it. My only objective is to not see it. Thanks.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

Just getting back to this thread since yesterday...

This micro-marring you're experiencing is paint related because it looks like you've gotten all the right techniques down and pad/product combos...

This is a good example of what we mean when we post that some paints are more polishable than others, that's how it is and that's why we stress doing test spots so much on this forum.

Here's the next thing to try and this usually works by either removing the micro-marring or masking it, you won't know till you try and then inspect the results.

Go to any auto parts store or even a store like Target or Walmart and pick up a bottle of ColorX. ColorX is a strong cleaner/wax, it contains diminishing abrasives as well as chemical cleaners and can remove light swirls especially when used by machine.

ColorX


Shake the bottle well and then use this product just like you're using the M205, that is use it with a finishing pad on the 4.0 to 5.0 speed setting.

Work the product 4-6 passes over your test section and the let it dry and then wipe off the dried wax and inspect.

This will either remove the micro-marring or mask it or do a little bit of both. The only way to tell would be to chemically strip the surface and inspect the paint closely to see if the micro-marring is gone or not.

Chances are good it will remove it, but even if it masks it, if the results look good after the ColorX then the paint will look even better after you apply a second application of a finishing wax like Gold Class, NXT, DCC, M21, M26 etc.

Besides ColorX you could also do the above only use a light cleaner/polish like M09 Swirl Remover 2.0 or M82 Swirl Free Polish.

Personally I would opt for the ColorX to try next and see how that works plus it's easy to find and very affordable.


Keep us updated...

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

why not finish off those panels and move on to get the rest of the vette to this level. Plus I think the LSP may fill in for now so he can feel like he has accomplished something....

This might actually be the point I'm at right now. I might just back the car out of the garage this afternoon and try to get it in direct sunlight and see how it looks. If it looks good, I'm moving on. A little afraid that all I've done is trade nasty, glaring hard scratches swirls for billions of tiny cobweb swirls.

I'm not entirely convinced yet that this "micro-marring" can actually be completely removed. I guess I would have to see it done on my car to believe it.

[Desertdawg]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

I just read all the way through this, tons of great info!

I may be way off base, but here's my suggestion.
Mike or Mark are the professionals here so don't listen to me if they say different!
Looking at the micro marring in the last pictures maybe it's time to put on a LSP! I can only suggest what works for me, and thats either MACHINE GLAZE Item Number: M0316 or HI-TECH YELLOW WAX Item Number: M2611
I say this because Matt says he has only worked on a couple of panels so far, why not finish off those panels and move on to get the rest of the vette to this level. Plus I think the LSP may fill in for now so he can feel like he has accomplished something....

I would hate to see him give up in frustration!

He can always pick a spot later to start on it again!

[Bounty]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

The area being worked has no swirls at all left, all that's left is micro-marring from both the M105 and M205 products. At this point, I'm only trying to figure out how to get rid of the micro-marring.

I really can't help too much there as I use a different line of pads and have a more extensive line of polishes so I'd keep going less aggressive to progressively chase out the induced marring.

As far as taping all of that stuff...well...then I would have to come back across it by hand on the areas the tape covered because the scratches/swirls there were as bad as everywhere else. I'm scared that if I go over it all again by hand it will mess up what I've been trying to so hard to do with the D/A.

If properly taped off into sections when you remove the tape from one worked area you'll clearly move on to the next while incorporating the previously small taped section. Think of it like taping in this fashion: [_] with the open top portion being where you just removed tape from an adjacent section. Now when you do the current section you'll also overlap slightly to get the previously taped part (not sure if I confused you more with that explanation...lol).

Also, the defect removal is blatantly obvious. It really is. The portions of the car that I haven't touched at all are covered in hard swirls. The panels that I've compeleted vs the panels I have not...there is a 100% difference. Panels completed only have micro-marring left.

That's actually a good thing! It means the swirls are gone and the hard part (laborwise) is over and you just need that last, small percentage to make it perfect.

I uploaded these videos just to show my technique, to make sure I was doing it right. It doesn't show how many times I've gone over that section. It's been worked....A LOT. I've only been moving on to M205 when all the swirls/scratches are gone and only the Micro-Marring is left.

I figured as much just wanted to make sure when you do work you're taking all the necessary steps. I think you're doing great and just need to get that last step figured out to be happy. Good luck and keep asking questions...it's the only way to learn.

[Demon_C5]

Re: C5 Vette - 1st DA Use

The area being worked has no swirls at all left, all that's left is micro-marring from both the M105 and M205 products. At this point, I'm only trying to figure out how to get rid of the micro-marring.

As far as taping all of that stuff...well...then I would have to come back across it by hand on the areas the tape covered because the scratches/swirls there were as bad as everywhere else. I'm scared that if I go over it all again by hand it will mess up what I've been trying to so hard to do with the D/A.

Also, the defect removal is blatantly obvious. It really is. The portions of the car that I haven't touched at all are covered in hard swirls. The panels that I've compeleted vs the panels I have not...there is a 100% difference. Panels completed only have micro-marring left.

I uploaded these videos just to show my technique, to make sure I was doing it right. It doesn't show how many times I've gone over that section. It's been worked....A LOT. I've only been moving on to M205 when all the swirls/scratches are gone and only the Micro-Marring is left.

At this point, I've stopped again until I figure out how to get rid of that Micro Marring effect. I can't seem to get it to go away. M205 seems to cause it as well, just not as bad. I'm using up a lot of product here trying to figure this out, getting me a bit nervous seeing that it's $33/bottle.