Need a little advice

[5.4 Shelby]

Am fairly new to polishing experience-wise. Have actually been using a PC with Griots pads and polishes for about 7 ot 8 years. I wanted to go with something a little more aggressive, so I started researching this site and decided to buy 6.5 CCS pads by LC and Pinnacle XMT polishes 1-4. I also ended up buying the new Griots ROP.

I am working on a '98 Chevy Z71 with red paint. As far as I know, it is factory paint. A few years ago my dog was out in the garage when I was not home. He apparently thought I must be in my truck and jumped on it repeatedly trying to look in it. Almost all side panels got extensive scratches. Most are shallow to moderate. A few can be felt with fingernail.

I have tried several passes with the griots pads and even their most aggressive polish(#1 is their most aggressive). I just cant seem to get them out. This is why I bought some cutting pads and XMT compound (#4).

I hit each panel twice with each of the following: yellow CCS with #4, Orange CCS with #3, Orange CCS with #2 and white CCS with #1. All but the deepest scratches are gone. I dont expect to get them out.

At a distance the panels look fabulous. The gloss is fantastic. In sunlight, the panel looks good up close. With the halogen lamps, however, you can still some some mild to moderate swirls. Most of them are very short like they were put there by the machine, pad or the polish.

Any idea why these are still there? Do I need to make more passes with the finer polishes? Am I under or over working the polish(not sure if XMT are DAT or SMAT)?

TIA.

 

[CEE DOG]

Did you stop running the PC when the polish started to dry?

I would try a test spot with Menzerna PO 85RD with a white pad and then a grey pad.

 

[5.4 Shelby]

Did you stop running the PC when the polish started to dry?

I would try a test spot with Menzerna PO 85RD with a white pad and then a grey pad.

Yes. It was still leaving a slightly moist trail behind it. I will say it seemed to get to that point quickly. After 2 side to side and 1 top to bottom pass, it seemed to be getting pretty dry. It did still wipe off easily as though it was still moist.

 

[5.4 Shelby]

I would try a test spot with Menzerna PO 85RD with a white pad and then a grey pad.

I will prob try some other products. Not much is available locally. It takes about 4 business days to get stuff from AG. I have placed 2 good sized orders in the last 2 weeks. My wife is gonna kill me if I order much more.

 

[CEE DOG]

I think they are diminishing abrasives. I am not able to find specifics on each of the types but the #3 and #2 do specifically say they are gradually diminishing abrasives.

the following is copy/pasted
XMT Fine Swirl Remover #2

.............contains Concentrated Micro Abrasives, which are smaller than the industry average for a swirl removing compound. The smaller abrasives break down under less heat. Therefore, they are ideal for use with a dual action polisher.

The number and size of these proprietary abrasives enable them to effectively erase surface defects without marring the paint. The abrasives diminish as you polish so the swirl remover in effect becomes a finishing polish..............

............Apply XMT Fine Swirl Remover with a white polishing pad on your dual action polisher. Pour a quarter-size amount of polish onto the pad and set the polisher at a maximum speed of 5000 OPM. Work the polish in until it starts to dry or disappear.......

 

[5.4 Shelby]

So maybe work it longer? MAybe I am not dry enough?

 

[CEE DOG]

From what you are saying I think you should be working it a bit longer. It should start to dissapear when it's time to stop. Tape off a square on your hood and do a test spot running it a bit longer. Then check the spot and see what gives. Let us know

Oh, also probably don't press down too hard on your finishing passes. Vary this on your test spots and see how it goes but on your final passes you shouldn't be adding any pressure.

What's the temperature by the way?

I have never used XMT polishes so hopefully somebody will pipe in that has and maybe they will know the trick.

 

[5.4 Shelby]

I just went out and worked another test spot. I worked it longer. There seems to be fewer of the skid marks. I will keep trying with working it longer.

I have the temp set at 60. I can warm it up or cool it down. That is just a comfortable temp to work in for me.

I will keep experimenting. Thanks CEE DOG.

 

[jjkacz]

Does your truck look like this or something like this?
If so, the second picture shows it corrected with 85RD.

 

[5.4 Shelby]

I need to learn to take photos. I tried, but, am having trouble getting them to show.

Mine is much better than that. The marks are hard to see. and are spread out much more than that. Overall it looks much more like your second picture, but, with a few scattered"nicks" in the paint.

I worked the rest of the panel (front fender) that I was testing on. I worked it longer and the results are better. Not perfect. I will keep trying with what I have and try other products in the future. That is why I use my truck as a practice vehicle. Don't want to learn on my Mustang.

Sounds like I need some 85RD. I ordered the 115 glaze in my last order. Next one will have to have the 85RD. Unless I win the "Pot o Gold" giveaway and it includes some (not holding my breath).

 

[CEE DOG]

Temperature sounds fine.
Check the recommended max opm for the polishes you are using.
I think the max speed on the PC is 6000 OPM.
I was reading another thread of yours and you might be using a too much pressure. With the PC Mike says 15-20 pounds total so due to the weight of your machine you probably only need to apply 8-15 pounds of pressure. Possibly when using one of you're more aggressive polishes you induced a few of these swirls a little deeper then the rest.

Courtesy of Mike Phillips- Check out this link: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ips-techniques-using-porter-cable-7424xp.html