Holograms/swirls on '19 Mazda CX-9

[joenintiesc]

I have a lot of swirl marks and holograms in direct sunlight showing on my dark metallic blue paint. I tried using a DA with various pads and compounds/polishes, but it doesn't seem to make any improvement...

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried Lake Country white, orange, and black pads with Meg's 105 and 205, and Sonax Perfect Finish. It's just not making a difference. My understanding is that Mazda paint is "soft". I'm not sure how aggressive to be with cutting pads and compounds, or if I just need to use softest pad with Perfect Finish and multiple passes. Thanks!

 

[Optimus Grime]

How many passes are you making with the polisher and what speed? Japanese cars have pretty soft paint. I’d start with something mild like a Lake Country orange CCS or HDO pad and if that doesn’t work move up to a blue pad. I can’t see needing anything more aggressive than that. At the absolute most I could see using a UroFiber 50/50 pad with 205 or 3D One. I think M105 is a bit aggressive for Mazda paint.

 

[joenintiesc]

How many passes are you making with the polisher and what speed? Japanese cars have pretty soft paint. I’d start with something mild like a Lake Country orange CCS or HDO pad and if that doesn’t work move up to a blue pad. I can’t see needing anything more aggressive than that. At the absolute most I could see using a UroFiber 50/50 pad with 205 or 3D One. I think M105 is a bit aggressive for Mazda paint.

I just picked up the Griots DA, I was mostly using 4 on the speed. I started with the LC orange pad. I actually thought I ended up adding additional swirling, maybe as a result of the M105. Then I tried several passes with the LC black pad and the Sonax Perfect Finish (read on this forum someone having luck with it on the same vehicle - and I just happened to order it myself...) So maybe I am just going at it too mildly now. Should I try again with an orange pad and either the Sonax or M205? ( I also have yellow and white LC pads). This is all with the 5.5 backing plate and pad size.

 

[Optimus Grime]

That black pad isn’t aggressive enough. Try the orange pad and 205 or Sonax and work your way up in aggressiveness but those should do the trick.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I have a lot of swirl marks and holograms in direct sunlight showing on my dark metallic blue paint. I tried using a DA with various pads and compounds/polishes, but it doesn't seem to make any improvement...

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried Lake Country white, orange, and black pads with Meg's 105 and 205, and Sonax Perfect Finish. It's just not making a difference. My understanding is that Mazda paint is "soft". I'm not sure how aggressive to be with cutting pads and compounds, or if I just need to use softest pad with Perfect Finish and multiple passes. Thanks!

First off, since it’s a Mazda, you’ll want a paint thickness gauge. Mazda uses thin, water-based paints that are easy to burn through if you’re not careful.

The good news is that Mazda paint is usually easy to correct, so if your pad isn’t spinning much, that might be the issue. I use a forced rotation 3401, so I can’t speak to your specific polisher, but generally, a basic polishing pad and a good polish should do the trick. Meguiar’s 205 works well—no need for the more aggressive 105. Sonax Perfect Finish is a great option too.

Make sure you’ve used an iron remover and a clay mitt (or something similar) beforehand. Soft paint can easily get marred if there are any contaminants left when you start polishing.

 

[joenintiesc]

How many passes are you making with the polisher and what speed? Japanese cars have pretty soft paint. I’d start with something mild like a Lake Country orange CCS or HDO pad and if that doesn’t work move up to a blue pad. I can’t see needing anything more aggressive than that. At the absolute most I could see using a UroFiber 50/50 pad with 205 or 3D One. I think M105 is a bit aggressive for Mazda paint.

I just picked up the Griots DA, I was mostly using 4 on the speed. I started with the LC orange pad. I actually thought I ended up adding additional swirling, maybe as a result of the M105. Then I tried several passes with the LC black pad and the Sonax Perfect Finish (read on this forum someone having luck with it on the same vehicle - and I just happened to order it myself...) So maybe I am just going at it too mildly now. Should I try again with an orange pad and either the Sonax or M205? ( I also have yellow and white LC pads). This is all with the 5.5 backing plate and pad size.

First off, since it’s a Mazda, you’ll want a paint thickness gauge. Mazda uses thin, water-based paints that are easy to burn through if you’re not careful.

The good news is that Mazda paint is usually easy to correct, so if your pad isn’t spinning much, that might be the issue. I use a forced rotation 3401, so I can’t speak to your specific polisher, but generally, a basic polishing pad and a good polish should do the trick. Meguiar’s 205 works well—no need for the more aggressive 105. Sonax Perfect Finish is a great option too.

Make sure you’ve used an iron remover and a clay mitt (or something similar) beforehand. Soft paint can easily get marred if there are any contaminants left when you start polishing.

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe it is the Griots DA, it does seem to bog down fairly easy. I almost bought the Hercules (Flex clone) from Harbor Freight, but it was out of stock, and my impression was the Griots seemed to be the gold standard for occasional use... The vehicle looks great - as long as the sun isn't shining directly on a door panel. I will try again in the Spring with the Hercules Forced Rotation DA.

 

[MisterSnoop]

Haven't used 105/205. I went with 210 on my gf's car (mazda 3), which was the lighter blue paint. Is the Meg 105/205 dusting?

 

[Optimus Grime]

I just picked up the Griots DA, I was mostly using 4 on the speed. I started with the LC orange pad. I actually thought I ended up adding additional swirling, maybe as a result of the M105. Then I tried several passes with the LC black pad and the Sonax Perfect Finish (read on this forum someone having luck with it on the same vehicle - and I just happened to order it myself...) So maybe I am just going at it too mildly now. Should I try again with an orange pad and either the Sonax or M205? ( I also have yellow and white LC pads). This is all with the 5.5 backing plate and pad size.

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe it is the Griots DA, it does seem to bog down fairly easy. I almost bought the Hercules (Flex clone) from Harbor Freight, but it was out of stock, and my impression was the Griots seemed to be the gold standard for occasional use... The vehicle looks great - as long as the sun isn't shining directly on a door panel. I will try again in the Spring with the Hercules Forced Rotation DA.

I had messaged you about helping you get the G15 at the same cost as the G9. I started with the 15 and while it's not as smooth as a Rupes, it can correct the worst paint.