More or less aggressive?

[clsmith]

I'm in the process of detailing my Road Glide to get it ready for a coating (CQuartz). I thought I was in good shape till I put the paint light on it. What I'm running into is that, no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the swirls/RIDS/marks out of the Vivid Black section(s) on the fairing. The marks are only really visible when the light is on it.

I've tried CCS foam pads: orange and white. I've also tried Meguiars microfiber pads: cutting and finishing. The compounds/polishes I've tried are: Meguiars D30016 Correction Compound and D30216 Polish, Blackfire Compound and Polish. I just can't seem to touch the marks - In fact, I may be making it worse.

I definitely can't catch any of the 'marks' with a finger-nail. It feels pretty smooth actually. It's to the point where I thought it was under the paint. That was till I got desperate and picked up another fairing. That one is basically demonstrating the same behavior so it must be me.

69392

At this point I'm kinda lost. Do I need to go more aggressive - i.e. heavy cutting pad or wet-sanding? Or less aggressive - finishing pad(s)?

Any help is appreciated.

[Mike Phillips]

I'm in the process of detailing my Road Glide to get it ready for a coating (CQuartz). I thought I was in good shape till I put the paint light on it. What I'm running into is that, no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the swirls/RIDS/marks out of the Vivid Black section(s) on the fairing. The marks are only really visible when the light is on it.



Here's your picture in full size.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/attachments/motorcycle-care/69392d1587932489-more-less-aggressive-vividblack-jpg






I've tried CCS foam pads: orange and white. I've also tried Meguiars microfiber pads: cutting and finishing. The compounds/polishes I've tried are: Meguiars D30016 Correction Compound and D30216 Polish, Blackfire Compound and Polish. I just can't seem to touch the marks - In fact, I may be making it worse.



I'm going to guess super soft paint.

And just to note, when it comes to super soft paint - even the PADS can cause micro-marring.






At this point I'm kinda lost.

Do I need to go more aggressive - i.e. heavy cutting pad or wet-sanding?

Or less aggressive - finishing pad(s)? <-- this




You need to get LESS aggressive.

Try the BLACKFIRE Polish with a foam finishing pad of a foam waxing pad.

100% avoid microfiber pads as the fibers are a form of abrasive.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's two recent cars I detailed where the paint was so soft I CORRECTED THE PAINT - using SOFT FOAM FINISHING PADS.

In other words, I removed ALL the swirls and scratches using ONLY very soft foam finishing pads.


Here's a 1996 black Porsche I detailed that had the original black basecoat/clearcoat paint and IT was super soft.

Original BASECOAT/CLEARCOAT paint - 1996 Porsche 993 (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions-/122888-original-basecoat-clearcoat-paint-1996-porsche-993-a.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3826/1976_Pcar_007.JPG



Review: Wolfgang Concours-Series Microfiber Towels - 1988 Porsche 928 s4 (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/125826-review-wolfgang-concours-series-microfiber-towels-1988-porsche-928-s4.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3981/Wolfgang_Concours_Series_Microfiber_Towels_027.JPG






Trying to use one level of cut higher than a foam finishing pad, i.e. a foam "polishing" pad, the PAD left marring in the paint.



:)

[Mike Phillips]

More....


Fibers are a form of abrasive - Foam Pads vs Microfiber Pads by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/126010-fibers-form-abrasive-foam-pads-vs-microfiber-pads-mike-phillips.html)


:)

[clsmith]

...You need to get LESS aggressive.

Try the BLACKFIRE Polish with a foam finishing pad of a foam waxing pad.

100% avoid microfiber pads as the fibers are a form of abrasive.


:)

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate the advice! This actually gives me hope as I'm not sure I would've been brave enough to go the more aggressive route.