doing more harm then good, i think(newbie needs advice!)

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poormansATSV

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hey guys my name is dan and i am attempting to claybar and remove some very light swirls from my 10k mile BLACK RAVEN 2015 Cadillac ATS after this joke of a winter. first let me start off with my arsenal...

Optimium GPS
Optimum CAR WAX
Optimum NO RINSE WASH & SHINE
Nanoskin Autoscrub FINE clay block
Mequires Gold Class Wash
Carpro wool wash mitt
Lake Country Orange CCS Smartpad 5"
Lake Country White Flat pad 5"
Upgraded/modded Harbor Freight DA
brand new box of washed and dried Kirkland Microfibers(costco)
2 buckets with grit guards.
power washer

here are my pictures of before and after my attempts.
***BEFORE;***





***AFTER:****



as you can see i went from good to bad but luckily i did a 1 sqft test area with the clay, GPS&orange pad, GPS&white pad.

Any input & help will be much appreciated!
 
Clay will introduce micro-marring like that. Normal and nothing to worry about. I take it the clay is producing visible results with contaminants showing?

No harm done. Those minor swirls will buff right out. Actually doesn't look overly bad really. I would hit it with some good polish and a white pad making 4 passes in each direction and see what comes from it. I would bet that's all you'll need. Start out with the minimum needed.

IF in the event you need more, jump to the orange pad and things will surely come around. If you do that and then hit it with the white pad after and really shine it up.

Seal it up from there or take it to a higher level yet and apply a couple coats of a good glaze like Chemical Guys Blacklite and seal it up after that. You'll thank me for taking that extra couple coats as the surface will shine like a black mirror that's miles deep.
 
I wouldn't have paired the GPS with an orange pad, but I still wouldn't expect that level of marring. Did it look like that after the Nanoskin?
 
Wait.........I re-read your post. Not familiar with GPS.

Okay....never used GPS so I can't comment. AIO like that probably would have worked best with a green pad. At least that's what I've done with HDSpeed and had great results.

I would say it's probably a great product but is it a match for your cars paint, I can't say. Others will chime in.

I would suggest hitting it with a green pad. If that doesn't work, HDSpeed should do a fine job if you're looking for an AIO Solution. Have used it on both my vehicles with great results.
 
yes this is after i hit it with a buffer, the marring after claybar was pretty bad...or typical for the nanoskin from what i have read online but it was a hazy/fogyish marring after clay. i hit it with Optimum GPS and lake country white and orange pad. do you think my pad might be contaminated or im not using enough speed or pressure? im at speed 3 of 6 on the DA.
 
poormansATSV said:
yes this is after i hit it with a buffer, the marring after claybar was pretty bad...or typical for the nanoskin from what i have read online but it was a hazy/fogyish marring after clay. i hit it with Optimum GPS and lake country white and orange pad. do you think my pad might be contaminated or im not using enough speed or pressure? im at speed 3 of 6 on the DA.
Click to expand...

Speed 3 is not going to do much. Bump it up to 5 and go from there.
 
poormansATSV said:
yes this is after i hit it with a buffer, the marring after claybar was pretty bad...or typical for the nanoskin from what i have read online but it was a hazy/fogyish marring after clay. i hit it with Optimum GPS and lake country white and orange pad. do you think my pad might be contaminated or im not using enough speed or pressure? im at speed 3 of 6 on the DA.
Click to expand...

If the pad was contaminated it would likely tear up the finish. I'd try a green pad given it's an AIO and Hit it with speed 6 if you're looking to cut through those swirls. Report back.

Reading up online, even Optimum suggests that for deeper surface imperfections, use Optimum Polish or Optimum Compound prior to GPS. So while your paint isn't horrible, it may not finish out like a mirror with the GPS Product. Not sure as again, I don't have experience with it. Just saying that even they are noting a polish might be necessary.
 
poormansATSV said:
hey guys my name is dan and i am attempting to claybar and remove some very light swirls from my 10k mile BLACK RAVEN 2015 Cadillac ATS after this joke of a winter. first let me start off with my arsenal...

Optimium GPS
Optimum CAR WAX
Optimum NO RINSE WASH & SHINE
Nanoskin Autoscrub FINE clay block
Mequires Gold Class Wash
Carpro wool wash mitt
Lake Country Orange CCS Smartpad 5"
Lake Country White Flat pad 5"
Upgraded/modded Harbor Freight DA
brand new box of washed and dried Kirkland Microfibers(costco)
2 buckets with grit guards.
power washer

here are my pictures of before and after my attempts.
***BEFORE;***





***AFTER:****



as you can see i went from good to bad but luckily i did a 1 sqft test area with the clay, GPS&orange pad, GPS&white pad.

Any input & help will be much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Im not a fan of clay block.make sure your not dry buffing,Cadillac paint is not the easiest to pull swirls out of.
 
I would probably switch to real clay and a good lubricating detailer like Fk425, I think those nanoskin things require some ramp up time to avoid marring.

But yeah, its pretty minor damage so it should come out with a good polish and a polishing pad, shouldent need to compound.
 
I am assuming you've finished claying or nano skinning the paint. If you feel the fine grade nanoskin didn't do an effective job, confirm it with the baggie test. If still somewhat gritty feeling hit it again and maybe pick up some traditional clay. Marring is typical after decontaminating with either clay or nanoskin but don't fret...you can buff it out. And the concept of never having too much lubricant for clay is true!

Next you'll need a substantial cutting product for what may be typically hard Caddie paint to level down those scratches and marring.

Finally, in my opinion there is no speed less than 6 on my DA, especially for cutting.
 
KneeDragr said:
I would probably switch to real clay and a good lubricating detailer like Fk425, I think those nanoskin things require some ramp up time to avoid marring.

But yeah, its pretty minor damage so it should come out with a good polish and a polishing pad, shouldent need to compound.
Click to expand...
just make sure your not concealing damage with polish.
 
alrighty guess im going to have to wait on my green pad now then haha. thanks for everything so far!
 
poormansATSV said:
alrighty guess im going to have to wait on my green pad now then haha. thanks for everything so far!
Click to expand...

You could hit it with your white pad at Speed 6. Green is just one step up. May take a little longer with white but you'll know after 4 passes.
 
GSKR said:
Cadillac paint is not the easiest to pull swirls out of.
Click to expand...


That's a fact.

As far as working speed with that polisher, I do everything on speed 4.5-5. I find that to be the sweet spot.
If that polish doesn't end up reaching your desired results, you can pick up some Meguiars Black Wax locally and give that a try, I find it to work very nice.
 
To reduce marring use your Optimum CAR WAX as the lube.

Slow hand movement with DA.
Try to keep moderate DA speed or you overheat the pads.
 
Hey poormansATSV, where are you located? Perhaps there is a member nearby that could help you out.
 
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