Why won't the scratches come out?

[Koast]

I detailed a 06 Toyota Solara today, we made a complete pass with 5.5 LC pads on the PC. We used a heavy cut compound and returned and re-did a few areas. But the scratches didn't come out. They were dulled, and the shine of the paint made them less visible but they were far from gone after 2 passes.

None of these scratches were into the paint enough that I could catch a fingernail on them. Should I just make another pass? Is it the PC? Should I just use a rotary and expect the PC to only dull very minor scratches? Was i not working the compound into the paint enough?

Any help would be nice.

Don't get me wrong the car came out looking excellent, but I'm a perfectionist and would like to be 101% every time.

Thanks in advance!

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

You probably didn't work the compound in long enough. What compound and pad combo were you using? What speed?

[Koast]

Meguiars Heavy Cut, LC 5.5 Yellow Pad, Between 4-5 speed (worked in on 1-2).

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

There's your problem. The PC isn't powerful enough to do any correcting unless it's all the way at 6. Spread and correct at speed 6. Use an orange pad as well. The yellow isn't necessary unless you have serious oxidation. Take your time because the PC doesn't create enough heat to break down the polishes very quickly. I spent probably around 7-8 minutes working in Menzerna SIP to make sure it broke down fully.

[Rsurfer]

There's your problem. The PC isn't powerful enough to do any correcting unless it's all the way at 6. Spread and correct at speed 6. Use an orange pad as well. The yellow isn't necessary unless you have serious oxidation. Take your time because the PC doesn't create enough heat to break down the polishes very quickly. I spent probably around 7-8 minutes working in Menzerna SIP to make sure it broke down fully.

Good advice Josh. If the op is using PG then he will need to finish down with a polish. Meg's 105/205 seems to be a great combo using a pc.

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

Good advice Josh. If the op is using PG then he will need to finish down with a polish. Meg's 105/205 seems to be a great combo using a pc.

You know, I've never used 105/205... but I have heard such great things on it. Now that I have a rotary, I definitely need to add 105 to the arsenal. But yes, the OP definitely needs to finish down. If he's doing any kind of compounding, he will need to finish down.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

What size pad are you using?

When I started it was with a PC and I was frustrated until I realized that anything bigger than a 5.5" pad was just silly, 4" for real stubborn areas.

That and properly breaking down the liquid is they key...

Be careful because there is damage that can be done when using a 4" pad on a PC due to the increased heat.

[Rsurfer]

What size pad are you using?

When I started it was with a PC and I was frustrated until I realized that anything bigger than a 5.5" pad was just silly, 4" for real stubborn areas.

Be careful because there is damage that can be done when using a 4" pad on a PC due to the increased heat.

This may have nothing to do with correction, but when I went to a 4" pad and bp, my bp broke. It just split in two. So I went to a rotary lc bp with an extension. The pc is soooo much smoother with 50% reduction in vibration. That loose bolt rattle is also gone. Seems that a smaller and heavier bp keeps the pc in balance. It's really a joy to use the pc now.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

This may have nothing to do with correction, but when I went to a 4" pad and bp, my bp broke. It just split in two. So I went to a rotary lc bp with an extension. The pc is soooo much smoother with 50% reduction in vibration. That loose bolt rattle is also gone. Seems that a smaller and heavier bp keeps the pc in balance. It's really a joy to use the pc now.

You should try the Flex DA.

I logged tons of hours with my PC and a 4" pad with no ill effects...

That's cool that you made an extension. I had to do that for a really small BP that I wanted for my makita but it was only in the UK and therefore would not fit my US machine.

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

Well I believe the OP said he was using 5.5" pads because I thought the same thing as you. I tried using some 6.5" pads one time and it just spread the polish around. You are 100% correct that anything over 5.5" is not good. You've definitely got to get the PC up to speed 6 to do any kind of correcting with it thought. I love rotaries .