CANNOT for the life of me get swirl free on BLACK! hellp!?

[smokedlights]

I am using 3m 3 step process.. using all 3 steps exactly how they say and advertise "swirl free finish even on black vehicles" I am busting my ass going over and over burning so much of my time only to be frustrated as hell afterwards.

I am doing this on new paint, mostly dirt nibs etc. Sanding scratches are coming out no issues. Im wondering if maybe the softer/ new paint is also giving me hell?

I am using a 3'' rotary air buffer. It seems any part that I touch with #1 (compound) I can never get it to a perfect finish. It looks perfect when in my garage etc. When I take to sunlight I see really fine swirls. I am using the correct towels that are clean etc... any help would be much appreciated? Ive heard maybe its the rotary for the last step or steps 2-3 that I should be using something else?

[allenk4]

Did you do a Test Spot, checking your results after each step?

You didn't mention which pads you are using for each if the 3 steps?


You should not have RIDS after the compounding step

You should not have Swirls after the polishing step

You should not have DA haze after the 3rd step

[Rsurfer]

You should not have DA haze after the 3rd step


He's using a 3" air rotary.

[Detailer Daemon]

He's using a 3" air rotary.

Did you follow up with a DA polisher with a medium cut foam pad and a swirl remover like menzerna, chemical guys or meguiars? You might be getting rotary swirl marks?

[smokedlights]

I dont do anything wih DA is that where Im going wrong? Im using 3'' pads.. 3m - orange- #1, #2 grey, #3 Blue...

either way Im not and shouldnt have to do more then the above 3 steps.... Unless switching the last step to DA maybe or something, but this seems next to impossible keep dumping money on various products "swirl removers" etc .. I would think the 3m 3 step system im using should be great, but no..

[tdekany]

Black is what separates the pros from amateurs. Keep practicing.

[allenk4]

He's using a 3" air rotary.

Correction

Should have said Rotary Holograms instead of DA haze

[allenk4]

How are you defining "Swirls"?

Can you take a close-up picture in the Sun?

[smokedlights]

This is what im using... Yellow towel for 1-2 steps, blue towel after step 3.. just exactly what 3m suggests.. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/xz24cavalierx/bmw/66519176-9E9D-445C-BC27-539079057049_zpsqfrdmsn7.jpg

[smokedlights]

I really can barely even get it in pix.. Its very very light swirls. Most people wouldnt notice but im a perfectionist and im spending a good amount of time on these I want them closer to perfect then this.

[Mike lambert]

Do yourself a favor,follow up with a da,you are just going to be chasing swirls for a long time!

[Hazcat]

Do yourself a favor,follow up with a da,you are just going to be chasing swirls for a long time!

I have to agree. Keep your pads super clean for each section pass. Wipe off old product and clear in your pad with a terry cloth towel before applying new product. I had a super soft paint that I had to use a 600 GSM non-looped towel for wiping off my polish to prevent swirls. Just work small areas until you hit upon the correct combination to get it how you want. Then repeat it all over the car. That way you don't waste time on a process that's not working.

[smokedlights]

what kind of DA any recommendations? DA on just final step? or last 2 steps? I do smoked tail lights so it has to be something small where I can hold the light as well as the buffer... Here are some more pix.. I dont feel they are horrible I dont think the camera picks up most of what Im seeing either.. Also its as if sometimes I do the exact same steps and get lucky and comes out 98% perfect or so, other times Its worse and maybe 90% when Im doing the exact same steps?! Grrr I am incredibly anal which is detrimental to me working on black.. lol
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/xz24cavalierx/bmw/4630CA82-0BF4-407B-BB10-428D19CC6E24_zpsk5bhzino.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/xz24cavalierx/bmw/FF578B82-B87C-490D-80B6-93A35ECF1651_zpsm3xkfdl7.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/xz24cavalierx/bmw/01FBA29C-194F-4EFF-9C44-FCB4B86A46AA_zps4hwqmwvd.jpg

[Mike lambert]

Get an air da,that should do the trick

[davidc]

If you are in a hurry find the closest Harbor Freight and pick up a DA. I have one and have used it one handed. Their back plate is not the greatest so you may get held up with that and pads.

Dave