More or less aggressive?

[clsmith]

I'm in the process of detailing my Road Glide to get it ready for a coating (CQuartz). I thought I was in good shape till I put the paint light on it. What I'm running into is that, no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the swirls/RIDS/marks out of the Vivid Black section(s) on the fairing. The marks are only really visible when the light is on it.

I've tried CCS foam pads: orange and white. I've also tried Meguiars microfiber pads: cutting and finishing. The compounds/polishes I've tried are: Meguiars D30016 Correction Compound and D30216 Polish, Blackfire Compound and Polish. I just can't seem to touch the marks - In fact, I may be making it worse.

I definitely can't catch any of the 'marks' with a finger-nail. It feels pretty smooth actually. It's to the point where I thought it was under the paint. That was till I got desperate and picked up another fairing. That one is basically demonstrating the same behavior so it must be me.

View attachment 69392

At this point I'm kinda lost. Do I need to go more aggressive - i.e. heavy cutting pad or wet-sanding? Or less aggressive - finishing pad(s)?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I'm in the process of detailing my Road Glide to get it ready for a coating (CQuartz). I thought I was in good shape till I put the paint light on it. What I'm running into is that, no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the swirls/RIDS/marks out of the Vivid Black section(s) on the fairing. The marks are only really visible when the light is on it.

Here's your picture in full size.

I've tried CCS foam pads: orange and white. I've also tried Meguiars microfiber pads: cutting and finishing. The compounds/polishes I've tried are: Meguiars D30016 Correction Compound and D30216 Polish, Blackfire Compound and Polish. I just can't seem to touch the marks - In fact, I may be making it worse.

I'm going to guess super soft paint.

And just to note, when it comes to super soft paint - even the PADS can cause micro-marring.

At this point I'm kinda lost.

Do I need to go more aggressive - i.e. heavy cutting pad or wet-sanding?

Or less aggressive - finishing pad(s)? <-- this

You need to get LESS aggressive.

Try the BLACKFIRE Polish with a foam finishing pad of a foam waxing pad.

100% avoid microfiber pads as the fibers are a form of abrasive.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Here's two recent cars I detailed where the paint was so soft I CORRECTED THE PAINT - using SOFT FOAM FINISHING PADS.

In other words, I removed ALL the swirls and scratches using ONLY very soft foam finishing pads.


Here's a 1996 black Porsche I detailed that had the original black basecoat/clearcoat paint and IT was super soft.

Original BASECOAT/CLEARCOAT paint - 1996 Porsche 993

Review: Wolfgang Concours-Series Microfiber Towels - 1988 Porsche 928 s4

Trying to use one level of cut higher than a foam finishing pad, i.e. a foam "polishing" pad, the PAD left marring in the paint.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

More....


Fibers are a form of abrasive - Foam Pads vs Microfiber Pads by Mike Phillips

 

[clsmith]

...You need to get LESS aggressive.

Try the BLACKFIRE Polish with a foam finishing pad of a foam waxing pad.

100% avoid microfiber pads as the fibers are a form of abrasive.

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate the advice! This actually gives me hope as I'm not sure I would've been brave enough to go the more aggressive route.