XMT 360 Fail??

[Madness87]

Would it be safe to assume we all agree that it surely wasn't pad selection (either the black or the white) or polisher speed??

I'm kinda wondering if maybe I didn't have the pad primed or covered food enough?? Seems the black pad is gentle enough that this shouldn't matter though, no??

Well the black pad has no mechanical cutting ability, so how would it induce swirls unless there was dirt on the pads or something? I also don't see how a polishing speed induces swirls?

There has to have been something between the pad and the paint creating swirls. Could be the "product"... But I don't know how?

Maybe OP should use the same scenario on a test spot? Maybe something is in the bottle or something?

 

[galaxy]

My guess is that 205 filled in some of those swirls and then when you used XMT 360 it cleaned the paint of the 205 therefore revealing the swirls.

Best answer so far, IMO.

Interesting thread OP.

Based on my (basic) understanding of polishes, I don't see this to be the case. A glaze or something, yes. But not a polish. The 205 shouldn't "fill in" blemishes, it should remove them; within its capability of course. Besides, as you'll read below, I did an IPA wipedown between the 205 and 360; paint was perfect. Nothing for the 360 to remove.

Well the black pad has no mechanical cutting ability, so how would it induce swirls unless there was dirt on the pads or something? I also don't see how a polishing speed induces swirls?

There has to have been something between the pad and the paint creating swirls. Could be the "product"... But I don't know how?

Maybe OP should use the same scenario on a test spot? Maybe something is in the bottle or something?

I agree; has to be the product. Pads were clean, I assure you. I also confirmed this by immediately using another/different product on another black pad without inducing any swirls what-so-ever. The black pad has always been my go-to pad anyways and have never had a problem with it. Has to be the product. That's how I started this thread BTW; first a test spot and then yesterdays result of attempting to do the whole vehicle.

use IPA, MS, or paint cleaner to thoroughly remove any polishing oils from the 205 and then inspect the paint to see it the paint is in fact perfect.

i know this is frustrating for ya. good luck

Copy…did exactly just this. 205 followed by an IPA wipedown before going to the 360. At first I was frustrated because I really wanted to try the 360. Now I'm only slightly frustrated because my understanding of what the 360 is, it should not be leaving these marks. But, I'll get over it.

Thanks everyone…but like I said, guess my paint and 360 just weren't meant to be. After two srike outs, I'm not going for three unless someone just has a fabulous idea what could be going on that hasn't been covered.

 

[AutowerxDetailing]

I'm just going to throw this out there...not to be a jerk but because I am truly interested in what is happening to the paint surface.

ostpics:

 

[Paul Mitchell]

I'm certainly no expert but could it be the Flex polisher that's the problem? Would it be better with a PC or GG polisher? I'd like to hear what the experts have to say on the choice of polishers.

 

[galaxy]

I'm just going to throw this out there...not to be a jerk but because I am truly interested in what is happening to the paint surface.

ostpics:

I tried, sorry. I just couldn't capture it in a picture. I tried to give a good description though. I also just don't see the polisher being the culprit since it's a 3401 and not a rotary…and with a black pad??

 

[Hoytman]

... This was with a black LC pad ... I swapped to a white pad. It was leaving swirls just slightly worse than the black pad!!

Would it be safe to assume we all agree that it surely wasn't pad selection (either the black or the white) or polisher speed??

Agreed. It wasn't the pad selection, but it was most likely the order in which you used them.You used them in reverse order as white should have been used first, then the black. See for yourself in the link below.

You said you swapped to the white pad...well, the white pad...assuming you're using lake country pads...is more aggressive than the black.
I honestly can't believe no one else caught that.

CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander

 

[Rsurfer]

use IPA, MS, or paint cleaner to thoroughly remove any polishing oils from the 205 and then inspect the paint to see it the paint is in fact perfect.

i know this is frustrating for ya. good luck

:iagree:Bet if he did that now, he would find swirls on his paint. Putting down a LSP over 205 without an IPA wipe-down is a no no.

 

[Rsurfer]

I'm certainly no expert but could it be the Flex polisher that's the problem? Would it be better with a PC or GG polisher? I'd like to hear what the experts have to say on the choice of polishers.

Why would you think that a PC or GG would be any better than a Flex?

 

[Paul Mitchell]

Why would you think that a PC or GG would be any better than a Flex?

Frankly I have no idea if a PC or GG would be any better and that's why I posed the question. As I previously stated, I'm no expert and I wondered if the flex might have too much power to finish with the XMT. I've not used a Flex and I noted that some of the previous posts were referring to a PC for the last step (see posts #7 & #14). Maybe I need to be more specific - Will the Flex finish as well as the PC?

 

[Rsurfer]

Frankly I have no idea if a PC or GG would be any better and that's why I posed the question. As I previously stated, I'm no expert and I wondered if the flex might have too much power to finish with the XMT. I've not used a Flex and I noted that some of the previous posts were referring to a PC for the last step (see posts #7 & #14). Maybe I need to be more specific - Will the Flex finish as well as the PC?

They all will finish about the same, but the Flex being forced rotation is more powerful thus a little faster in correcting department.:xyxthumbs:

 

[Vegas Transplant]

:dunno:

 

[Paul Mitchell]

They all will finish about the same, but the Flex being forced rotation is more powerful thus a little faster in correcting department.:xyxthumbs:

Thank you!

 

[tuscarora dave]

(copy & paste) from here XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one.


"Once the abrasives have broken down, XMT 360™ literally disappears as you polish".

My guess would be that you didn't work it long enough for the abrasives to fully break down, thus leaving a swirled haze.

Just a guess as I have never used XMT360 but I've used many diminishing abrasive cleaner waxes.

 

[galaxy]

Agreed. It wasn't the pad selection, but it was most likely the order in which you used them.You used them in reverse order as white should have been used first, then the black. See for yourself in the link below.

You said you swapped to the white pad...well, the white pad...assuming you're using lake country pads...is more aggressive than the black.
I honestly can't believe no one else caught that.

CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander

My whole swapping to a white pad or vice versa was simply a step in experimentation. I did not necessarily progress from black to white. It was just posted as FYI that both pads did the same thing. I did an IPA wipe and a sealer/glaze step before the LSP after I was done playing around.

 

[Hoytman]

I only went by the information given...it's all in the details. Hope you get it fixed.