Very first DA correction attempt (Black Ford Escape)

[Trevor]

This is my first attempt at using my PC. I used the following products:
1. Ultimate Compound
2. SwirlX
3. Menzerna PO85rd
4. Black Hole
5. WG Sealant 3.0
6. PB's Natty's Blue Wax (paste)

I first washed and clayed. Then I taped and started in with SwirlX with a orange LC pad. I didn't think this was enough so I tried the UC, with much better results. It wasn't until after a few hours that I really got the hang of it though and realized that the UC wasn't breaking down unless my speed was more like 5.5/6. I achieved better results after figuring this out. I also didn't realize there would be so much dust from the UC.

Most times I followed UC with SwirlX due to the hazing, but in some spots I got away with simply using the PO85rd instead. The PO85rd was by far my favorite product to work with and I thought the "pop" was amazing from it.

Overall I'm happy with the results, especially for my first time picking up the PC and with the condition of swirls to begin with.

Well enough of me rambling, on to the pics!

Before:

I'm using the following:

Finishing polish:

The AFTER:

 

[Shawn T.]

Nice job! Black paint looks beautiful! :xyxthumbs:

 

[Quattro3.2]

Great job, especially for the first time with a PC.

 

[fancyfootwork]

Very nice job! I highly recommend getting either Meguiars M105 or Menzerna Power Gloss in replace of SwirlX. You won't look back!

 

[LuxuryMobile]

Nice results! Now your hooked.

 

[Trevor]

Very nice job! I highly recommend getting either Meguiars M105 or Menzerna Power Gloss in replace of SwirlX. You won't look back!

Thanks! I don't doubt your recommendation at all. SwirlX was OK, but I wasn't blown away. As I mentioned the PO85rd was my favorite to use by far regarding ease of use and results. Of the products I used, the PO85rd, Black Hole, WG Sealant, and NB were all "winners" in my book and I look forward to using them again. As far as true correction polishes/compounds, I'm open to suggestions. Although hopefully I won't have need for something as abrasive as UC for a while. Isn't PowerGloss also pretty aggressive? I might use WG Swirl Remover instead of SwirlX next time.

 

[Marc08EX]

Nice save! You made the car look like it just came off the lot.

 

[DLaw]

Nice turn around ! Makes you feel good. Many folks here swear by the Meg's Twins. I personally never used them. I did however achieve fantastic results with WG's Twins. Very easy to work with with little dusting. Again, nice save.rops:

 

[rwright]

Congrats on your first job! From what I can tell you got the hang of it. Something I noticed in one of your pictures was a 6.5" pad, is this the only size you have? You may want to consider going with 5.5" pads for your PC XP as they rotate better. If you're looking for something easy to work with then check out the Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover and Wolfgang Finishing Glaze, they have a long working time that makes them "user friendly". Yes Power Gloss is way more aggressive than Ultimate Compound. My personal preference is Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut Compound and Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish. For dark colored vehicles and a DA it's tough to be Menzerna PO85RD as your final polishing step!

Once again, congrats on your first job! rops:

 

[fancyfootwork]

Thanks! I don't doubt your recommendation at all. SwirlX was OK, but I wasn't blown away. As I mentioned the PO85rd was my favorite to use by far regarding ease of use and results. Of the products I used, the PO85rd, Black Hole, WG Sealant, and NB were all "winners" in my book and I look forward to using them again. As far as true correction polishes/compounds, I'm open to suggestions. Although hopefully I won't have need for something as abrasive as UC for a while. Isn't PowerGloss also pretty aggressive? I might use WG Swirl Remover instead of SwirlX next time.

M105 and Power Gloss are both an aggressive/heavy cut. You may also want to pick up some M205 (light cutting polish).

Black hole is a glaze with fillers. Good for show but filling swirls isn't correcting. Still a good product.

WG deep gloss is superb. I use that sealant frequently.

Nattys blue is another great wax. I use it here and there.Deep wet look for half the price! My only complaint with it is that it attracts dust quite easily. And durability could be better. But overall it is very good.

 

[maximus20895]

Very nice job! I highly recommend getting either Meguiars M105 or Menzerna Power Gloss in replace of SwirlX. You won't look back!

M105 is a little bit more aggressive than Ultimate Compound and M205 is a little less abrasive than SwirlX.

M105 = Ultimate Compound
M205 = SwirlX

I really like how well PO85RD finishes!

Great Job! rops:

 

[Trevor]

Congrats on your first job! From what I can tell you got the hang of it. Something I noticed in one of your pictures was a 6.5" pad, is this the only size you have? You may want to consider going with 5.5" pads for your PC XP as they rotate better. If you're looking for something easy to work with then check out the Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover and Wolfgang Finishing Glaze, they have a long working time that makes them "user friendly". Yes Power Gloss is way more aggressive than Ultimate Compound. My personal preference is Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut Compound and Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish. For dark colored vehicles and a DA it's tough to be Menzerna PO85RD as your final polishing step!
Once again, congrats on your first job! rops:

Thanks! I actually have the 5.5 pads, and the 4 inch pads as well. I actually liked the 4 inch pads the best for the worst swirls. Even the 5.5 pads I found hard to rotate at times depending on the contour of the vehicle. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Trevor]

M105 and Power Gloss are both an aggressive/heavy cut. You may also want to pick up some M205 (light cutting polish).

Black hole is a glaze with fillers. Good for show but filling swirls isn't correcting. Still a good product.

WG deep gloss is superb. I use that sealant frequently.

Nattys blue is another great wax. I use it here and there.Deep wet look for half the price! My only complaint with it is that it attracts dust quite easily. And durability could be better. But overall it is very good.

Yeah I added the Black Hole because I wasn't confident my first attempt at correction would be flawless, and because I already was planning on using it on my other car that does not need a polish job yet. I figure if I'm putting a good sealant on it, the BH will last as long as that does anyway. I plan on using Nattys blue as my normal topper, but I will switch to Collinite 845 as my final topper once we get to the winter months again due to its super long durability.

Thanks for the tips!