First Timer-- Feedback please

[Niko]

Hey everyone, first time going through my "full-correction" and man, what a pain. Just kidding, it's already addicting but being somewhat of a perfectionist is definitely not helping! I'm ready to be done and enjoy the final product for a little while instead of keeping it garaged and borrowing my sister's car!

Anyways, 2011 Subaru WRX in obsidian black swirl, oh I mean pearl... I've had it swirled for far too long. Been learning on it, and I believe the notoriously soft paint is helpful, however I need to redo the hood because I think there are holograms left over. I've been using Ultimate compound and Ult polish.

I did the hood w/ compound only and only been using polish for the rest on an Orange 5.5 and then a white 5.5 for the polish. Also, using a GG 3 with same products and the tangerine and Cyan (red one?) colors. This perfect technique is definitely a little harder to come by than I had anticipated, however I think I am getting the hang of it (many, many hours later).

Just hoping for some feedback so I know if things are looking good, or if my inexperienced eyes are missing anything. Apologies for cellphone pictures, but I think some are decent.

It's good seeing those swirls disappear!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/945431_10151623793389711_1484597441_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417861_10151623794579711_857763153_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298534_10151623802969711_1135746886_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/581835_10151623803409711_1663146922_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/969118_10151623850444711_1650244516_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/65655_10151623851514711_1761408306_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/575730_10151623851019711_2032022196_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/575631_10151623850874711_522828128_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/263298_10151623851264711_1613189675_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/579396_10151623851684711_1560049808_n.jpg

Now this is only after polishing with a white pad on Ultimate Polish and those ones on the hood, I have deemed not worthy, so I am about to go back to work on those. So, my question is how good is it in comparison? There is no LSP, glaze or sealant applied yet, but the "distinction of image" seems poor, is that correct? I know 100% correction is too much to ask for, and I understand that so I am okay just taking the majority of the swirls out and leaving several little scratches here and there :P

Thanks for letting me rant, and listening to my lack of understanding! I appreciate any feedback.

[Theo_Auto_Fines]

It only gets easier over time. Also as you progress to a more professional line of products you would notice that though your technique is spot on thats only about 70%. The rest will be up to your compounds and polishes. UC and UP's are okay if it has minimal scratches and swirls but you would need to move up to D300 and M101 to get close to perfection. Also you mentioned that you used the GG 3" on the whole car? You would need to get the bigger brother if you want to perfect your methods.

[Mike Phillips]

Looks pretty good... :dblthumb2:

You mentioned holograms left in the hood and you mentioned the Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher but I'm guessing you also used some other tool?

Didn't see it mentioned?



:)

[Niko]

Haha, thanks guys. No way! I used the full size GG DA with the 5.5 backing and pad. I'm confused on proper technique here.

And, actually I believe the holograms were actually just parts I missed, or did not actually do well on, not actual holograms.

I'm having trouble completely eliminating the swirls. I've heard Ultimate compound can finish nicely, however it is still leaving swirls left over. Is it my technique that is not removing them, or just the product + pad combination? Ult Compound on a white pad, i believe (may have been orange) on speed settings 5 or 6.. They are hard to see in the pictures but more noticeable not on a camera phone. I am under the impression I can have a LSP finish with Ult Compound and avoid using a finishing polish but what do you think?

IMG]https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/575454_10151633224514711_2143401186_n.jpg[/IMG]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/943102_10151633224769711_1936126507_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/969434_10151633225559711_545329932_n.jpg

Thank you!