Could have 2 different issues since the paint is so soft. I think my towel game is sorted out. I'd be applying Jescar power lock after this is all done since I have some left over from another car.
1. Yes
2. Black (tried orange, not good results)
3. 4
4. Tool weight + light pressure from my hand - 10-15 lbs total? (a guess)
5. Griots Perfecting cream
I saw your post early on and I think you're on the money. I've got some Mezerna 3800 on order based on your original suggestion. Do you have any idea how the Buff and Shine reds compare to the Griots black or red? I have griots red (wax pads) that I've not tried yet.
Yes, it does look like your towels are sorted.
I'm not famaliar with the Griot's line first hand, but that marring looks similar to what I would sometimes get with Meguiar's M205 on a really soft clear coat.
The last time I had this issue was on a black gmc Sierra. I was using 3D ONE on yellow B&S Uro-Tec pads. I switched to ACA520 on white Uro-Tec and was still getting haze. I was using a Rupes Duetto on speed 2.
I then switched to 3D AAT502 and it did the trick. It sounds like the Griot's product is comparable to a non diminishing abrasive like the 3D and Meguiar's M205 / M210 / Ultimate Polish.
Be careful with "priming" by spreading the polish over the pad. It can put more abrasives than needed on the paint. Once you've done one set of section passes a foam pad will "self" prime anyways. Occasionally you may have to go back and re-polish that initial section. Since I switched to 3D I haven't had to do that though.
The Griot's polishes are water based, and can be "altered" with a light spritz of water. I usually only do this (with ONR 256:1) when working with cutting compounds like M105 or the old Rupes Zephir.
Because the Griot's product is non diminishing, you may want to try a light mist of water on the pad - like spray it in the air and let it fall on the pad. Start with a small amount of product on the pad, something like three small drops - four if you use the 6" pad.
Not, to be clear I use my ONR (256:1) rater than straight water because it adds a bit more lubrication, and goes farther than plain water. This might really help your situation because it should help buffer the abrasives more than the polish alone or the addition of water. When I use it with heavy cutting compounds it's more to re-activate the abrasives than to lubricate or buffer anything. I never noticed a drop in cut with those harsh compounds, but it might have more affect on the finishing polishes because of the lighter abrasive load and / or the possibility of smaller abrasive grains.
I have also switched to my Porter Cable with blue Buff and Shine / Hex Logic pads to remove that kind of marring.
Other pads you could try are the Buff and Shine Uro-Cell. I used to use a similar pad in the Lake Country Hydrotech. The red one is probably the on you would need. The red Buff and Shine and the red Griot's are almost identical if I remember correctly. I also believe that Griot's sourced Buff and Shine to make their pads for them. There aren't many actual pad manufacturers out there.
Finally, the use of the Menzerna should take care of the issue. It's an ultra fine diminishing abrasive. While I haven't needed it in years, I do have Menzerna SF4000 (now 3800) on hand still, and I could finish anything out. Today my preference for diminishing abrasive products are the Jescar line. Their Micro Polish resists dusting and wipes off much easier than the Menzerna.
Best of luck!
. I'm going to try a smaller pad with a contoured edge and see if that's more forgiving.
