Paint Correction issues after my first attempt...

Here's a post by Mike Phillips regarding the number of pads you need: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/88109-how-many-pads-do-i-need-buff-out-my-car.html

Also, here is a list of articles and videos by Mike--there are allot, but pick the links that might help: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-car-detailing-articles-mike-phillips.html Look for the "Trouble Shooting" link.

Soft paint like most Hondas can be difficult to perfect as you can introduce marring into the paint with a dirty pad or a pad or polishing product that is too aggressive.

If you are using the new THIN Megs pads you could just add more of them as they are great pads.
 
Hi Gretchen, here is something else to consider. If the paint is soft as you say, it's possible that you may be removing old scratches but creating new ones.

Try diluting your compound with water (in a separate container). I saw a recent video on how someone solved a similar problem on a Porsche they were working on. It's a non AGO link so I can't post it here, can PM you.

One pad is ok, as long as you clean it periodically. Also, make sure you are using high quality MF clothes that have been washed. The best ones are the Gold Plush sold here in AGO. These are my "A" towels.
Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towels 6 Pack

"B" towels are the ones I get from the auto store, etc and will never be used to touch the surface of a car. They are for interior etc...

Make sure you change your MF towels frequently and that they are clean. I always wash them before use. Most importantly always do a test spot before you do the entire car so you can check the results and not waste your time if it's not right.

This will really be a case of multi test spots. You can go more aggressive on a test spot, and check it. Or pick another test spot and go less aggressive. Having an LED light to shine on your test spots will reveal which direction to go in. Hard or soft paint is irrelevant, as long as you get the results of least aggressive approach on a test spot, then make your adjustments accordingly. In this case, I'd rather go least aggressive and see if that yields results.
 
I believe I understand the point of going with the least aggressive approach to the most aggressive. Just to be clear though, does that mean going straight for the compound with the cutting pad can be harmful in certain situations?
 
Gretchen731 said:
Ok so we are talking at least 4 pads minimum for a mid-size sedan.

Just so I can have a better understanding based on a previous comment, if I don't change out pads then eventually it is nearly ineffective, correct?!

I take it that you want the pad to "breathe" in order to have nice surface contact.

Beside the extra pad on hand thing,

Can anyone else second the possibility I have most of my ducks in a row as far has my process goes for the paint correction?

Can I yield better results with different brands of pads and compounds polish etc?!

Do I have good pads otherwise?
Click to expand...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...55-why-s-important-clean-your-pads-often.html
 
Thanks for the article(s) guys! Makes so much sense now that I have "the glass shattered" for a newbie👌 of the importance of fresh pads!!
 
Did you decontaminate the paint before you started? Iron x or similar, clay or clay substitute. Improper washing technique is responsible for most swirls and very light scratches. Have you read the articles or watched videos on proper washing technique?
 
Newbie alert:

I guess I was so anxious to play with the new purchase that I just started the process after a touch-less car wash.

Please spare me of all negative judgements please I beg... I know what I did.

At least I'm honest due to the fact I want the best advice from you guys.
 
We all started right where you are right now. Hang in there, keep asking questions and keep trying to improve the results. Most here are more than willing to help.
 
I use a lot of pads during my corrections. I break a car down panel by panel and use a pad for each panel. After each section I blow out my pads with compressed air. I'll typically go through 6 pads before I'll wash all of them and then still have 6 more fresh ones on hand.

There's a few things:

If you didn't properly decontaminate the paint, you're not working on a fresh clean surface. You're picking stuff up in your pad and running it all over the paint.

You're technique is wrong. Takes some time to get a feel but you may not be getting the results you desire because of this.

Your approach was aggressive and left the paint micro marred. Since your new to paint correction is possible you're mistaking swirls with the marring. Micro marring are fine scratches but they are normal during the process. You need to refine the paint to remove these.

Cleaning the pad often is essential. Not only does the pad become less effective but you're abrading the paint with the paint you just removed.

Sounds like you just need to clay the car and have a few more pads on hand. You'll be alright
 
Gretchen, It appears you have a firm grasp of how to successfully polish paint. My only suggestion to you would be, read and try to absorb as much as you can. I'm not a newbie, but not far from it. I read threads constantly and always try to improve my understanding of the process involved in restoring paint. There's a lot of smart folks on this forum. My goal is to one day be one of them. Take care.

Peace,

Darrim
 
Hmm...have you watched any of Mike Phillips videos on this site?

Its not so much you need so many pads, but you do need to clean them after a few sections. Assuming you do not have a pad brush, you can take a terry cloth towel, cover the pad and spin it in your hand as an alternative method.

I think you also wrote you did to passes. In Mikes videos, he describes a section pass. In your 2x2 area, you should do 4-6 section passes. Each section pass is going across the area in one direction, the next pass would be the opposite direction. In my experience, you need to do at least 4-6 section passes with both the compound and the polish.

The wax or sealant just needs to be spread across the paint evenly, no need to worry about section passes there, just uniform thin coverage.

It was also mentioned in another reply to do a test section. Before you do the entire car, try a small section, make sure you are getting the results you want and dial in the process and then repeat on the rest of the car.

Good luck!
 
One thing to think about as well is you should determine how good "good enough" is for you.

If this is a show car then a mirror finish is goal to aim for. For a daily driver that's a few years old I would think aiming for a mirror finish may be taking things a bit too far given that in a few days/weeks/months you'll have little scratches and stone chips and etc that you pick up from daily driving.

Personally when polishing (my own cars - just a hobby for me) I like to get scratches and swirls to the point where you have to really look for them to find them - but I generally don't worry about making the finish perfect and I promise you my cars look better than 95% of the cars I walk past in random parking lots!

So have fun but don't stress too much.
 
Thank you guys again for the recent replies to this thread.

I agree!! my goal is not show car finish. Of course that is a bonus. Don't get me wrong, since this is a daily drive I don't expect perfection all the time.

Lets recap though. I did the paint correction the first time and the next morning when it was still dark, in a parking lot under the lamp post I saw flaws. (Again, I promise to post pictures...another crappy rain shower in my area, etc..)

The biggest thing is, I want to be able to do everything in my power to correct the matter than I will.

Since I missed a few steps based off of this thread. Eventually I will do another correction in the future since there is really no need to right now.

I will determine in the future my satisfaction level. If in the future after I apply the new insight that I have learned here and there indeed is still flaws, I'll be able to live with the fact that that's the best at the current time.

:dblthumb2:

This is my new hobby and therapy. I enjoy the learning curve! For a beginner, my car definitely looks much more sexier than most Honda Accords on the road I pass by. If I was to compete with one of you. I am sure there's always room for improvement. That is what I am seeking for.

Keep the insight coming!!!:props:
 
View attachment 37143 this is how the car beaded in this mornings shower..

View attachment 37144 here's an afternoon shot of how it looks with a one pad per step correction on the initial try.

It's cloudy right now. Still I would like to have a good night shot of what I'm talking about to prove I'm not crazy.

View attachment 37145 a shot I took a few days ago on the third of the month...
 
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