UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

[Cbrenthus]

So, I have been doing tests on the trunk of my new camaro to get rid of swirls. It seems the best removal is to use the ultimate compound with pressure. It looks really good under the fluorescent in the garage, and any other light. However, when I finally checked in the sun today, there is a hazing effect or something, it looks smeary! Any thoughts? My process is:

Wash
Clay, wipe of extra spray
Ultimate compound
Scratchx 2.0
Nxt tech wax 2.0

I'm doing it all by hand, no machine. I also tried each step, in the shade, then pulled the car in the sun to check, and the smearing occured on the ultimate compound step!

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Are you sure you're not letting it dry on the paint ? Also make sure to use a clean MF towel really slowly for a final wipe-down to get all the product out.

Hope it helps.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Are you sure you're not letting it dry on the paint ? Also make sure to use a clean MF towel really slowly for a final wipe-down to get all the product out.

Hope it helps.

Actually, I think that is exactly what I am doing! I've been reading threads since I signed up, and I didn't realize it was supposed to stay wet! I am going to try testing, but smaller patches and remove before it drys.

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Great!
UC has a long working time but as soon as it "disappears" on the paint, stop and wipe with a dry MF towel and inspect, after you're done with the whole panel give a final buff carefully with a new towel.

Let us know if it worked.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

I just tried again, and was careful to do a smaller patch then wipe off quicker. It does seem better when comparing with a led flashlight, but I will have to wait for the sun to know for sure. I will let you know though!

[kevblah]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

I get the same hazing effect when I use UC, so I always finish it off with the Deep Crystal Polish and then the Carnauba Wax.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Maybe I'll try the deep crystal. I don't like the idea of going straight from compound to wax!

[kevblah]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Maybe I'll try the deep crystal. I don't like the idea of going straight from compound to wax!

Yeah, I just spent about 12 hours between this morning and last night just doing UC on 3 panels, hand applied. It always hazes up no matter how I apply it, so I just let it haze up and don't really worry about it. The Deep Crystal Polish smoothens it all out, and then a nice coat of wax over it

[scanlessfool]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

If it hazes up, isn't that an indication that the product is to strong for the paint and perhaps it needs something less aggressive?

[akimel]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Yeah, I just spent about 12 hours between this morning and last night just doing UC on 3 panels, hand applied. It always hazes up no matter how I apply it, so I just let it haze up and don't really worry about it. The Deep Crystal Polish smoothens it all out, and then a nice coat of wax over it

You are still working too large a space. Whether applying by hand or machine, work one small section at a time (perhaps 18"x18") and then immediately buff off.

If UC hazes the paint, then UP (as you have discovered) should remove all hazing and leave the paint LSP-ready.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Sorry, but can you clarify UP and LSP?

[akimel]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

UP = Ultimate Polish
LSP = last step product, i.e., your wax/sealant

Depending on one's paint system, one may find the Ultimate Compound leaves a little hazing on the paint. One will then want to follow up with a less abrasive polish like Ultimate Polish to remove the hazing. On other paint systems, however, one may find that UC leaves the paint LSP-ready, that is to say, there's no marring and the paint is ready for wax. Does that make sense?

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Yup, that makes sense! So, I'm off to buy some up!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Ultimate Compound is a fairly aggressive product and in some cases (ie, with some paints) it can leave a bit of haze. As others have mentioned, that hazing is usually very easy to correct with a less aggressive product, and Ultimate Polish is going to be a superior choice over Deep Crystal Polish to remove this hazing. Why? Because DC Polish is a pure polish with no cleaning (ie, no abrasives) ability to it, so it would only be hiding the haze. UP, with it's SMAT abrasives will actually remove the haze and still give you the polishing oils to enhance gloss prior to wax application.


As for UC causing some hazing - sometimes you need a product with some extra punch to remove the defects, even if that product leaves the paint less than perfect in the process. This is really no different than using a strong compound via rotary buffer to pull out sanding marks, albeit on a much less aggressive scale. Sometimes you don't have much of a choice but to trade out heavy, random defects (swirls, scratches, etchings) for a much more refined and predictable defect (light haze), then easily remove the haze with a second step. It really all depends on the paint and application method. We've seen cases where UC leaves the paint looking gorgeous and ready for wax, and we've seen cases where UC is just flat out waaaay too aggressive and should be substituted with a different, less aggressive product. And the same can be said of almost any product on the market as nothing works 100% equally on all paint finishes.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Well, I tried the UP last night, but it was too late for me to really get it out in the sun and see. I gave the surface a quick was, re-calyed, then tried the UP, then Techwax 2.0. My question now is that if it didn't work, should I try starting from the UC again to be sure?