Unknown concentrated scratching, swirls and the game plan.

[AAron550i]

hello two years ago I purchased my baby two years ago and she has been garage kept 3/4 of the time.

http://s14.postimg.org/uxxxg3zxt/After_reduild.jpg

The paint looked great, swirl free when I got her but quickly, more and more swirls and scratches started emerging as time went on. most of which I couldn't even explain. and also some watermarks.

http://s2.postimg.org/yv7yunoex/20150623_171455.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/f0mke4h71/20150623_171442.jpg

Those are the worst areas but the rest of the top surfaces has much fewer and more spread out scratches. additionally, they can only be seen in direct light and i cant feel the majority of them with my fingernail.

With my porter cable 7346sp I plan to use these items for the job.

Wolfgang total swirl remover 3.0
Wolfgang finishing glaze 3.0
Meguiars #4 heavy cut cleaner
mothers california gold car wash
all colors of the waffle pads in 4 or 6in?
Mothers clay bar kit
Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant
microfiber&drying cloths

Wash, dry, claybar, use Meguiars #4 with white waffle pad for the most damaged areas, wolfgang totalswirl remover with orange or white waffle pad for rest of car, blue pad and WG finishing glaze, then blue pad and WG deep gloss paint selant.

sounds like a good plan or are there other methods or products i should use. also what type/ what likely caused that paint damage? I've seen a cat on my hood once or twice but it would be hard to believe that a cat did that.
Thanks Feed back please

[trekkeruss]

Before I read the end of your post, my thought was cats.

[AAron550i]

Well, that sucks. Is there some sort of cat repellent on the market? I just realized that I posted this in the wrong area, how can it be moved into detailing 101?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Hi Aaron, Welcome to AutoGeekOnline! Beautiful 550i you have there. The hood is going to need some serious work.

If you can feel the scratches by fingernail there are only two options to fix this. One is by wet sanding them out. This is not for a new member to accomplish unless you have some in depth experience in the past. The other option is to have the hood re sprayed to completely fix the paint.

However in the mean time if you would like to try and tackle the defects in the paint you have nothing to lose in my opinion.

With your Porter Cable machine, equip an orange pad and Wolfgang TSR and give it a go on the affected areas of the hood as your test spot to see where that gets you. You may need a second session.

If that does not do the trick to your liking then pick up Wolfgang Über compound and re accomplish the test spot. After you get the defects knocked down then equip a white pad with Wolfgang FG. Then seal the paint with Wolfgang DGPS 3.0

You mention waffle pads? Which pads are you talking about?

You better believe a cat can do that to the paint after multiple encounters with the paint.


Here is a chart on compound/polish aggressiveness to give you an idea.
Autogeek Swirl Removers & Compounds Comparison Chart (http://www.auto-geek.net/charts/wax-cut-chart-master.htm)


Mike

:)

[LSNAutoDetailing]

you are lining up a big army - #4 plus WG Total Swirl Remover...
How about using the least aggressive in your inventory on a test-spot first.
I would start with the WG TSR (rated a number 7 cut grade on the Autotopia Cut Scale). Megs #4 is rated a #8 on the cut scale.

I realize you have some issues... of the two, I would start with WG -TSR 3.0 first. Do 6 section passes... wipe, move on to the Polish with 6 section passes, then step back and look at the results. If there is acceptable improvement (which I've heard great things about WG products), move on... If not, try another pass with both WG products again and look for results.

I wouldn't go #4 then WG TSR 3.0 then polish... That's my opinion.

UPDATED 5/2015: Autopia Polish Comparison Chart (http://www.autopia.org/forums/paint-correction-and-gloss-enhancement/181138-updated-5-2015-autopia-polish-comparison-chart.html)

[AAron550i]

Thank you, And I'm referring to these foam pads: Lake Country Waffle Pro 4 Inch Foam Pads, buffing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/waffle-pro-spot-polish-pads.html)

I suppose I will start the job this weekend.

After searching for ways to repel cats, this funny commercial came up on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIkEfBdpEXA sinister but funny

[AAron550i]

@Paul

very true. Megs #4 does seem very unnecessary. If the results are not good after WG TSR should I do another pass or do the WG FG to then determine if i need another pass of TSR?