Hey all it's my first post but I've been reading these forums and using a PC for about 12 years now. The results I've been getting with my first black car have me scratching my head - something's not quite right with my procedure and I can't proceed until I can replicate good results. I finally got my own garage to take my time, and my spring project is to really bring this black paint to life as I'm a few years behind schedule. The positive is on a test spot I've achieved a pretty swirl free finish that I'm happy with, but I am having a problem with haze and overall dull looking finish after even a finishing polish.
Compounded with v34 and orange flat or hex - trying plenty of different work times and pretty good results here.
Began polishing with v36 and white and while swirls are getting knocked down I'm surprised to see bad overlap marks and haze. Tried another pass and new pad, no difference. Same results with black pad and just for kicks even tried a blue pad. Varied work time, speed, pressure, lube and still looking horrible. Normally I would expect a cutting polish with extended work time to clean itself up pretty good? I must be going mad so I bust out my go to SSR2.5 and 1 and I'm still getting marks and haze.
So I try v38 final polish and black pad, this cleans up the overlap marks and I'm starting to feel relief, and then try it with a blue pad to see if I can further clarify the finish, but it's still has this sort of dullness to it with an inspection light. Yes there is some clear coat pitting but those are distinguishable from an overall cloudy look. I've also been having issues with product gumming and build up despite fresh lubed pads and 5 small dots of product. The drier I go the dust almost seems to rub into the pad and pigtail causing further marring, and the more lubed starts to fling gum after a few passes. As it stands I've been on the wetter side but it's pretty hard to remove but at the same time looks a little better than the drier side.
So, what's the secret with black? I'll admit I am a little rusty and it's my first black car. I just want to get the paint to the point where I can finish it up ultra clean with a finishing polish. On my other cars I used to just hit it with SSR1 and a black pad and it would come out to an incredible slick finish you would be ready to glaze and seal. Sorry for the long post, but hope someone can chime in.
View attachment 47167
Here you can see the circular cloud on the left, almost looks like product on the surface.
Compounded with v34 and orange flat or hex - trying plenty of different work times and pretty good results here.
Began polishing with v36 and white and while swirls are getting knocked down I'm surprised to see bad overlap marks and haze. Tried another pass and new pad, no difference. Same results with black pad and just for kicks even tried a blue pad. Varied work time, speed, pressure, lube and still looking horrible. Normally I would expect a cutting polish with extended work time to clean itself up pretty good? I must be going mad so I bust out my go to SSR2.5 and 1 and I'm still getting marks and haze.
So I try v38 final polish and black pad, this cleans up the overlap marks and I'm starting to feel relief, and then try it with a blue pad to see if I can further clarify the finish, but it's still has this sort of dullness to it with an inspection light. Yes there is some clear coat pitting but those are distinguishable from an overall cloudy look. I've also been having issues with product gumming and build up despite fresh lubed pads and 5 small dots of product. The drier I go the dust almost seems to rub into the pad and pigtail causing further marring, and the more lubed starts to fling gum after a few passes. As it stands I've been on the wetter side but it's pretty hard to remove but at the same time looks a little better than the drier side.
So, what's the secret with black? I'll admit I am a little rusty and it's my first black car. I just want to get the paint to the point where I can finish it up ultra clean with a finishing polish. On my other cars I used to just hit it with SSR1 and a black pad and it would come out to an incredible slick finish you would be ready to glaze and seal. Sorry for the long post, but hope someone can chime in.
View attachment 47167
Here you can see the circular cloud on the left, almost looks like product on the surface.
