Swirls? Scratches? Hmm...

[nick19]

I was walking from the mailbox to the garage, and saw light hit my trunk, and I clearly didn't even TOUCH my trunk when I went over twice with OC.

Procedure and products used. After nearly two passes of DP's Super Swirl Remover, I opened up some OC, and #83. I did mixtures of all OC, half OC half #83, half OC half DP's SSR. I found DP's SSR to be a bit stronger than #83, but not as strong as OC.

Long story short, this is the BEST I could do with a PC. I need to buy myself a rotary, but with moving, paying off some remaining bills etc., keep me from doing it.

I have had 98% success with removing 100% swirls on cars, and these stubborn, swirls and scratches just would NOT come out completely. Although there is a significant difference, I'd say about 90% of them are gone, they're still there. I used my PC on speed 6, working up to 10 minutes with the combinations I used. It took me about 30 minutes to do a 3x1 panel. Keeping in mind, I started with the least abrassive, to the most.

Here's how I started. I KNEW DP's Mild Swirl remover, wasn't going to do the job, so I started with DP's SSR.

Edge Yellow, DP's SSR speed 6

Edge Yellow, DP's SSR, and OC speed 6

Edge Yellow, Meg's #83 and OC speed 6

And FINALLY Edge Yellow, all OC speed 6.

I was getting furious.. I knew if all OC couldn't do it, I need a rotary. My technique is flawless, and I'm not new at this.. these DANG combinations of swirls and scratches just won't come out with a PC.

And onto the pictures...



BEFORE























I started with these.. (I used Finishing Glaze after all the polishing)




(no the rust isn't on my car, its our outdoor freezer)






AFTER

Procedure: 2 total passes of DP's SSR. I went UP, then DOWN on the same area, moved half an inch to the left, and did the same thing. After completing the UP and DOWN processs, I went across, LEFT to RIGHT, and RIGHT to LEFT over the same area. I figured this would allow the BEST possibility for the polish to break down and "BUST" the swirls... well....




(that is DIRECT sunlight hitting the spot, showing all the swirls and scratches.)


AFTER DP's SSR with OC

Procedure: I went with 4 total passes. Using half DP's SSR, this allowed me to work OC longer. I did the same as above. Moving the PC UP, and back DOWN over the same area. Then I went from LEFT to RIGHT over the same area. Back to going UP and DOWN, and finishing up going from LEFT to RIGHT. I don't know if I am explaining this correctly, but its as if you were polishing, except for moving the PC on the next pass, I just made another pass up.









AFTER

Procedure: Same as above, I used Meg's #83, and OC.






AFTER

Procedure: Same as above. Used ALL OC on this one.









I didn't take any photos of the FINAL product, with DP's Finishing Glaze, as it just made it a bit more reflective, but my hands felt like JELLY!

I probably wouldn't recommend doing this, unless you have some good PC skills. At times, I tried using the handle on the PC, and quickly took it off. At speed 6, the only thing you can use is the head of the PC. I thought since it was a flat surface, it would be easier on me, to use the handle, well I was quickly wrong.

I am very happy with the results, and will be doing the other quarter of the trunk. I only managed to do a quarter of the trunk. Time was limited for me.


FINAL VERDICT:


DP's SSR: 5/5 This stuff has more bite than #83, and not as strong as OC. With that said, let's say OC has polishing power of 4/4 with 4 being perfect, DP's SSR has a 3.5. I would put this ahead of XMT #3, and most likely ahead of PB's #3. I have not used PB's, but this stuff has some serious BITE! Grrrr...

DP's FG: 7/5 WOW! For $10, I couldn't have made a better buy! a VERY nice 2-in-1 product for $9.99.. I am going to be purchasing more if they hold the sale any longer. It made for a smooth, reflective finish. I could have them followed up with a layer of EX-P, WGDGS and my wax of choice. The finish would have been brighter than the sun! On white....


I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. It wasn't easy work, and in the next few days, I will have it taken care of. Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions and/or critique my work.





-Nick
5-Star Auto Detailing

[nick19]

You can only post 15 pictures in one post... ooops.


I have worked on some bad cars, but nothing comes close to this. If my whole car, thank god it isn't, was covered in this, it would take me days to do it, including polishing, sealing, and waxing. And at $55/hr, you do the math.. it wouldn't be cheap if someone had a car like this they needed polished out.





-Nick
5-Star Auto Detailing

[bambo2888]

dang, that sucks you couldnt get them all out, but it's like night and day with your before and afters, so, nice job, man. what kind of truck is it?

[nick19]

Originally Posted by bambo2888

dang, that sucks you couldnt get them all out, but it's like night and day with your before and afters, so, nice job, man. what kind of truck is it?

Mine.. '97 Olds Aurora.. I have fooled people into thinking its post-2004... the inside is immaculate, and the paint is even better. I try and polish in the garage, away from the heat; who LIKES working in the heat? I will non-theless..

This time, I worked outside in the bright sun.. it made seeing my progress much easier, and made me work harder when I saw I wasn't getting much done.



Thanks for the kind words..




-Nick
5-Star Auto Detailing

[Surfer]

I also believe that if a Edge Yellow Cutting pad and OC doesn't get marring out, you need need a rotary lol. I love OC. I use it more then OP as it has much more bite but finishes down like a polish.

[nick19]

Originally Posted by Surfer

I also believe that if a Edge Yellow Cutting pad and OC doesn't get marring out, you need need a rotary lol. I love OC. I use it more then OP as it has much more bite but finishes down like a polish.

I was hoping I didn't need a rotary, as only a FEW of the scratches touched my finger nail. I honestly got rid of those, but not the swirls. These things must be DEEP!




-Nick

[Strokin04]

You made a very nice improvement to the trunk and you made me tired just reading all the work you put into the mixing and trying different combos of polish and compounds. I do believe you can now be called the official AG amateur chemist, LOL. Keep up the good work and reviews of products, Mike...

[nick19]

Maybe AG will hire me!


I probably should/could make my post smaller eh? I thought I should include all details that went into the process, hopefully someone can/will learn something or spark some questions someone might have had, or maybe its just because I'm very detail oriented.. I don't know...







-Nick
5-Star Auto Detailing

[Strokin04]

I don't think the post was to long and I actually enjoy reading it and learning new combos you can create with products that you already have in your collection. So I say keep up the good work and thank you for being really detailed and taking the time to try all these different combinations and letting all of us in on what works and doesn't. What I meant by being tired was I would of been wore out if I went through all the different steps you did. So while reading your post I meant to say I became tired because I imagined I was in your shoes. Mike...

[Grimm]

Why don't you try OHC?