Stumped...Paint Defects after removing Ceramic Coating?

[Hokie335i]

Hi all,

Been a while since I've been active on this forum but I'm back with a question that has me stumped. I'm working on my Emerald Green 1999 Miata and am polishing it in preparation for Gtechniq CSL/EXO. Just put this combo on my LX470 last week for the 2nd time.

The Miata had a Wolfgang Uber coating on it when I began buffing from the PO which wasn't old but it wasn't applied well so I wanted to strip it and recoat with Gtechniq.

However, what has me stumped is that after polishing with my Flex 3401/LC Force pads, using Sonax Cutmax and EX04-06, I have these buffer trail looking marks that I can't get rid of! I have repolished and they are still there! I noticed that while compounding off the old coating, it left really bad buffer trails but I figured it was a function of the coating being removed as I have never had to buff off a fairly new coating before...

The hood and top areas do not show it. Only the side panels. Any ideas?

Hood example:
IMG_2558

Side:
IMG_2560

 

[Rsurfer]

You shouldn't have to use a compound to remove a coating. The holograms are from the compound. Try using 04-06 with a finishing pad. You did switch pads when using 04/06?

Do you have a different DA as your 3401 is forced rotation and maybe to aggressive for you paint. It's not easy to polish vertical panels and apply light and even pressure.

 

[Hokie335i]

You shouldn't have to use a compound to remove a coating. The holograms are from the compound. Try using 04-06 with a finishing pad. You did switch pads when using 04/06?

Do you have a different DA as your 3401 is forced rotation and maybe to aggressive for you paint. It's not easy to polish vertical panels and apply light and even pressure.

Compounded with an orange pad and used a white pad with the 04-06. I've corrected dozens of cars over the past 6-7 years and haven't ever had this issue which is why I am stumped. I polished out another mazda in this color last year with no issues whatsoever. Only difference was Menzerna polishes vs. Sonax.

I have an old Griots polisher I can try. I have worked with very soft Jet Black paint a lot though and have never had finishing issues with the Flex...

 

[WillSports3]

Too aggressive for the paint. My Mazda paint is a little harder than the old paint but still, I find long stroke finishes a lot better.

 

[Hokie335i]

Too aggressive for the paint. My Mazda paint is a little harder than the old paint but still, I find long stroke finishes a lot better.

Thanks. I just used the Sonax for the first time and maybe it is too aggressive to finish with. I used it on my Galactic Grey LX470 and had no issues but that paint is harder.

I’ll try some Menzerna SF3800 on a white pad with the GG6 and slower arm speed.

 

[WillSports3]

I use EX 04-06 as well actually, one of my favourite one step correction liquids, I think the biggest issue here might be too high a speed and too fast arm speed. I don't generally like using Menzerna just because of the extra amounts of work I find myself doing to get rid of the polishing oils. My personal opinion about menzerna, I know most people love them. I just prefer Sonax. Other trick you might wanna do, spray a little bit of something like N914 on your pad as part of the priming process, I find it helps with soft Japanese paint.