Frustrated Newbie...

TexanJim

TexanJim

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Ok...so I bought the Porter Cable 7424xp, Wolfgang Swirl Remover and Wolfgang Finishing Glaze, LC CCS Orange Pad, LC CCS Black Pad and jumped into the deep end of the pool for my first shot at Polishing.

I watched all the videos that I could find by Mike P. and followed the instructions.

I just finished polishing the hood of my wife's 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. Well..while it certainly looks better than it did before I started, it certainly doesn't look like the results that I saw Mike get in the video.

I still see water spots all over the hood.

Should I try something more aggressive? If so, what is your suggestion?

Sorry for such a basic question...but like I said, this is my very first shot at polishing.

Thx for reading.
 
Waterspots can be pretty deep. Search the forum - Mike has a thread just on this.
 
You might want to look into getting something more aggressive, M105 can get most defects out with right pads.
 
It is not uncommon to feel a bit frustrated when first starting out. First, never let any paint whip you. You have to show it who is the boss. Who is the boss? Jim! Like MJ said, some water spots can be difficult to remove, especially since they may have etched the clear coat.

You may want to start with a small 2x2 section. Let's get that small area perfected before we move on. Your pads and products are good. LC orange with the WG Total Swirl Remover can tackle some nasty defects. Downward pressure on the PC is important. Take a Sharpie marker and put a thick line on the outside edge of the backing plate. You want enough pressure on the pad but still need the pad to rotate. The mark will let you know if the pad is spinning properly. Move slowly with your passes like in the video. It may take a few section passes before you see the results you want.

Take your time and work small. Move down from the orange to the white pads if you have some. Finishing Glaze on white should finish down great without needing the black pad. The black has almost no cut at all. Nissan paint is fairly soft so the orange and white should get it done. Deeper defects,scratches will not be removed with the PC but don't worry about that. We all strive for perfection and have to live with some imperfections.
 
Here is the hood after washing and claying. YIKES!
DSC_0431.jpg


I taped off a section for a test spot.
DSC_0433.jpg


After my virgin run...to the naked eye, it looks "ok"
DSC_0447.jpg


DSC_0443.jpg


But unfortunately, the spots are still very much there.
DSC_0435.jpg
 
TexanJim...I feel your pain...spent two hours today on the hood of my M3 with so so results...you can see what I used on my post White M3
 
Definitely work in smaller areas with more pressure and slower arm movement. I would get some white pads to use with the Finishing Glaze. It seems like the Total Swirl Remover left some micro marring on your paint.
 
Well, that's a little far. If you were closer, I'd have volunteered to help out.

Looks to me like you may need some MF pads and a SMAT compound (Megs 105 or Optimum).

It also must be very soft paint because it doesn't look like it finished out well. You will likely need a fine finishing polish like Menz PO85RD on a soft no-cut pad (black or blue). There is almost certainly an intermediate polish step, too.
 
RE: More pressure....
Watching the video, I know that it recommends applying 15# of pressure (assuming that the PC weighs 5#. It seems to to me that the PCXP weighs more than 5# and it doesn't take much pressure to stop the pad from spinning.

Like I said....frustrated. Spent about 8 hours today washing, claying, taping, polishing, finishing only to not be very impressed.

Eh...there is always tomorrow.
 
If you have a bathroom scale, put the PC on and apply pressure until you get to 15# to get the feel of it. The PC isn't the most powerful DA on the market but it should spin a 5.5" pad on 4-6 at 15# - unless you don't have the pad flat.
 
Thanks, guys......I do appreciate you taking the time on a Saturday night to try to help me!!!

I will try smaller working areas tomorrow with 15# of pressure and see how it goes.

Thanks again....A/G really is awesome. Everyone is very helpful.
 
I put the PC on the scale. SON OF A GUN....it does weigh 5#. LOL. I should have known better than to doubt Mike's word. hahaha
 
some advice i can give you is, get more light, use the bathroom scale method like one has mentioned its a very good tip to make sure your using correct pressure, at first it can be frustrating just practice, but you might need something with more cut in it to get the defects out, but before doing that just practice some more.
 
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