Soft black paint for Noobs

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ozzywannabe

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GDay Autogeeks

I have recently acquired a new Holden SSV (essentially a Chev SS) in the soft GM black colour. Phantom Metalic. I have it a once over with Ultimate Compound than Ultimate Polish. No matter how much I work the paint, in the sun there are still very minor swirl marks. I am very new to machine polishing, and with the exception of a hyper blue WRX, all the cars I have ever done are white or silver so UC has always been enough.

My question here.. Is there a beginner one step that may work here, or even a two step system other than the meguiars consumer range? Am I missing something as a beginner? I know the hardest combination is Soft paint and Black paint. I want to get it 95% there so I can ceramic coat the beast.
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For essence, use a finishing pad. I use a MF finishing pad and it's incredible. Just did a black Tesla and it came out great! Just take your time and let both the pad and product work.

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Jon TDS said:
For essence, use a finishing pad. I use a MF finishing pad and it's incredible. Just did a black Tesla and it came out great! Just take your time and let both the pad and product work.

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I was given a new bottle of D166. Would that do the job on a finishing or softer pad? Or even ultimate polish? I have noticed on some panels, mainly the side that did have sunlight, have very very light hazing. I'm waiting for Essence and some lake country pads to come into stock so I can order.

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You'll always hear in this forum, do a test spot. If you already have them, try using them.

I think it would work but you might lose some efficiency with a finishing pad because the d166 cleans and cuts while the essence fills.

But hey it might just work!

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Humm...Just thinking here.

Copied from AGO store: "Meguiar's D166 Ultra Polishing Wax uses a durable blend of synthetic polymers, silicones, and carnauba wax to create a layer of protection and shine on painted surfaces".

Couple things to consider.

1. If you're going to coat, you'll gonna have to remove the polymers, silicones and carnuba wax before coating. This is working against yourself in terms of time and cost.

2. In my experience---soft paint and Ultra fine polishes don't work all that well together. Better off to get a regular polish (more abrasives) and standard polishing pad to reduce haze. It's weird but fine polishes creates more haze on soft paint than regular polishes. One would think it'll be the other way around!

Like the others say---do test spot using Ultra fine and another using regular polish and see what happens.

Tom
 
Or, switch to a different polish.

Mike Phillips posted an article where he polished a 1996 Porsche with off paint.

He used Wolfgang Finishing Glaze on Lake Country black SDO pads.

Original BASECOAT/CLEARCOAT paint - 1996 Porsche 993

I believe the Wolfgang product is similar to Menzerna SF3500.

Menzerna is sort of my fail safe when finishing is a concern. I've had cars where no matter what I did, my M205 wasn't going to let me finish out how I wanted. In those situations, Menzerna PF2500 (with Lake Country Tangerine Hydrotech pads, or Blue Buff and Shine) delivered the results I was looking for. I reserve the SF3500 for show cars

The difference is abrasive orientation. The Menzerna products utilize some very advanced diminishing abrasive technology, which in most circumstances allows for very deep finishing. The abrasives in M205 / Ultimate Polish do not diminish, which requires sometimes different techniques.

I feel that the Menzerna polishes have delivered more consistent results on a wider variety of paints.
 
I would try the new meguiars 210 it's made to finish soft paint. I'm always leery when people say they used something that came out great because u dont know what kind of light they are using to judge.

To me great means under a powerful color match light.
 
Thank you guys. Appreciate the support and feedback.

I'll see what can be sourced in sydney, or from overseas. I know m210 is not available in australia yet. I'll see if I can find Essence or Wolfgang. I did some reading and I'm leaning towards CarPro essence. If anyone has other ideas please share. I'm all ears, or eyes...

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ozzywannabe said:
Thank you guys. Appreciate the support and feedback.

I'll see what can be sourced in sydney, or from overseas. I know m210 is not available in australia yet. I'll see if I can find Essence or Wolfgang. I did some reading and I'm leaning towards CarPro essence. If anyone has other ideas please share. I'm all ears, or eyes...

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Click to expand...

Menzerna SF3500 is what the Wolfgang product is based off of.

I believe you have access to that polish.
 
WristyManchego said:
Shoot an email to Nick from Detailing Shed, he’s in Sydney and has a load of global product beyond what’s on his store.

If you go the Essence route, do it prior to ceramic coating in the same session.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I will look into DetailingShed.

The only thing i am worried about with Ceramic Coating is it is essentially permanent. If i still have swirls that i dont notice, i am locking them in for at least a year. I am in no rush to ceramic coat... I think i can live with Essence + Reload for a bit...Unless from more experienced members this is not recommended?
 
ozzywannabe said:
GDay Autogeeks

I have recently acquired a new Holden SSV (essentially a Chev SS) in the soft GM black colour. Phantom Metalic. I have it a once over with Ultimate Compound than Ultimate Polish. No matter how much I work the paint, in the sun there are still very minor swirl marks. I am very new to machine polishing, and with the exception of a hyper blue WRX, all the cars I have ever done are white or silver so UC has always been enough.

My question here.. Is there a beginner one step that may work here, or even a two step system other than the meguiars consumer range? Am I missing something as a beginner? I know the hardest combination is Soft paint and Black paint. I want to get it 95% there so I can ceramic coat the beast.
7b33ef507c162bb67fa5124c7f1e6939.jpg


Sent from my SM-G950F using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...

If your paint is super soft, you might be putting the swirl marks in when you buff out the polish. Next time you do it, try spaying a liquid on if first (spray wax, APC, ONR, etc) and buff super lightly, not putting any pressure on if you can. See if that leaves you with a swirl free finish.
 
Coating is not permanent.

If it bugs you---break out the polisher and take off the offending section and re-coat.

Essence with a hit of reload is fine too...

Main thing...don't over think or get too uptight. Just get it done. If not happy, do it again with something different. You learn a lot from each session!

Tom
 
An other thing. If you can't manage to finish without swirl or haze with Ultimate Polish, try mixing in some water. I would start at 50% water, 50% UP. See if it changes anything. You can also try with a different pad, sometimes the foam is too soft want it rolls over itself to damage the paint. So a harder pad could work better.

As someone said, try working the product less. Doing 1 or 2 passes instead of 4 or 5.

Keep you pads clean. Try cleaning them twice as much as you are doing now and see if it solves it.

The very last thing you should try is changing products. There is almost always a solution with the product you are already using.
 
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