What consumer polish / wax / my first time with DA.. Firebird

[91Firebird]

Hi. I'm looking for some opinions on a consumer level for my firebird below. First time with a HF DA polisher..
My goal is a shine and wax. The car is a repaint from accident many years before I bought it. Anything I can get off the shelf. I do have ultimate compound and ultimate wax with hex white and black pads. Thanks you, all!=)

6913569136

[Mike Phillips]

Hi 91Firebird,

I just wrote a review for the new Hybrid Solutions Polish & Wax and it's about as consumer level as you can get.

Review: Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Polish & Wax (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/125897-review-hybrid-solutions-ceramic-polish-wax.html)


Also - I'm just guessing but you probably have a 6: backing plate and 6.5" pads? If so, they probably don't rotate very well.

In order to remove swirls or any paint defects the pad MUST rotate on any free spinning orbital polisher. So if you haven't done any of the below, then click the links and follow the advice.



Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/49489-video-mark-your-backing-plate-make-easy-see-pad-rotation.html)


How to Monitor Pad Rotation? Mark Your Buffing Pads (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/122544-how-monitor-pad-rotation-mark-your-buffing-pads.html)


:)

[91Firebird]

Now that's a curve ball wow! Okay.. imma see if I can rotate the pad lol. I'll report back soon as I test this out now, thnaks, Mike!

[91Firebird]

Believe it or not, just went to Wally and they carry all hybrid solutions but the wax.. I want to do this now before procrastination is my pandemic. Anyone know where the sell this locally?

[91Firebird]

FOUND it. Pep boys.

[Mike Phillips]

Also,

Click this link and watch this video - it will show you exactly what you want to do and why you want to do it.


How to do a Test Spot and then buff out your car! Video Explanation by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions-/125930-how-do-test-spot-then-buff-out-your-car-video-explanation-mike-phillips.html)


The HF or Harbor Freight DA is at it's a core a cheap copy of the Porter Cable 7424XP - So everything I share in the video applies to an HF DA.



:)

[PaulMys]

Cool 'Bird!

How much correcting are you needing to do?

[91Firebird]

Hi 91Firebird,

I just wrote a review for the new Hybrid Solutions Polish & Wax and it's about as consumer level as you can get.

Review: Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Polish & Wax (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/125897-review-hybrid-solutions-ceramic-polish-wax.html)


Also - I'm just guessing but you probably have a 6: backing plate and 6.5" pads? If so, they probably don't rotate very well.

In order to remove swirls or any paint defects the pad MUST rotate on any free spinning orbital polisher. So if you haven't done any of the below, then click the links and follow the advice.



Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/49489-video-mark-your-backing-plate-make-easy-see-pad-rotation.html)


How to Monitor Pad Rotation? Mark Your Buffing Pads (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/122544-how-monitor-pad-rotation-mark-your-buffing-pads.html)


:)

The instructions recommend only 2 ounces per vehicle but in your review I see more than that on your pad for half the hood you buffed. What do you recommend, Mike? And thanks, man!

[91Firebird]

Cool 'Bird!

How much correcting are you needing to do?
��peel heaven.. . The hood I just clayed. Swirl marks are very very light.
691396914069141

[MarkD51]

Generally, a D/A with finishing polishes, and compatible foam pads will amp shine, remove swirls, but will likely not be that effective at removing, or considerably lessen the effect of orange peel.

You might want to look at Polishing Pads that are specifically designed for such, as the ones that Carpro sells here.

CarPro Denim Orange Peel Removal Pad, orange peel removal paint (https://www.autogeek.net/orange-peel-removal-pads.html)

CarPro Velvet Orange Peel Removal Pad, orange peel removal paint (https://www.autogeek.net/orange-peel-removal-pad.html)

I myself have never used such Pads. I see they are recommended to be used with a Rotary Polisher, but would think there'd be some joy with a DA.

I'd suspect the less agressive Velvet Pads might be more forgiving and thus easier to use for a person who's new to polishing paint

[91Firebird]

I won't dare try removing orange peel.

Started the hood and went slow but I still see some light scratches. Apex Detail did a review here and on YT on a Porsche he went really slow with the da. Can I safely go slow? Da on full speed, pressure just enough to see my sharpee pen mark go around.

I do see a difference, though . I don't think it's going to get any better at all though..it's the orange peel effect

[91Firebird]

I think I used a little more of the polish or not enough of it, 3 passes going slow the layer looked like it dryed up or maybe I just couldn't see it. After buffing their were still some light scratches so I did another layer moving faster. Didn't help. this pad and HF polisher probably is the reason . My first time doing this and I wasn't sure AT ALL if I was going to slow at times, doing too many passes and ripping through the clear coat.. So I'm doing 2 passes slow and then a few more but moving faster. A lot of curves and and pockets on the ground effects. Last photo was when I bought the car 1½yrs ago.
6915869159691606916269163

[SNP209]

Looks pretty good from the pics provided, what are your goals for correction (e.g. 80%)?

[91Firebird]

Looks pretty good from the pics provided, what are your goals for correction (e.g. 80%)?

Just looking for as much as I can with what I'm using. I think protection is just as important as good shine.

[91Firebird]

I couldn't finish due to rain a few days ago, the whole car was in the rain after applying the hybrid ceramic polish/wax before the coating 24hr curing. I still have the rear and the top to buff.

So sprayed the rear at the car wash with soap and just rinsed the rest of the car without drying, drive it home and use bucket with soap to continue washing the dirt off the rear & top of car. I wasn't going to waste the energy time and money to fully wash the entire car. I'll do it when I'm done polishing and after the 24hr cure, if I do have to wait that long??

Here some pics after I sprayed it at the car wash.. What I noticed is all the gunk from the palm tree that fell and stuck to the car as well as some dirt..is still stuck onto the hood. Is this normal? I just thought after polishing it with turtle wax hybrid ceramic, the dirt would free itself from the paint easily with only the pressure washer, like after a coat of wax. I've used MGs hybrid ceramic spray only and had much better results, the dirt would effortlessly come off using a pressure washer.

What's up with that?
692136921469215
The side and all looks great and shiny, btw.