Polishing Black C6 Vette - Questioning decisions

[jimmyb496]

I just started researching correct ways to detail vehicles a couple months ago. I figured I'd been doing it wrong for years... and yeah, I was. Dropping wash mit and rinsing it off to get back to work, drying w/ chamois (also dropped from time to time), dry cloths on dry paint, leaving bird droppings/bug hits on until when ever the next wash would be.
Anyways, several weekends of watching videos and reading info on techniques and products and I started to develop an idea of how I was going to approach things from now on.

Started with my Midnight Blue Metallic 2010 GMC Crew Cab (why wouldn't you start with the biggest vehicle?). 2 Bucket Wash, Clay w/ Gary Dean Infinite Detailer, Groits Polisher w/ #3 Polish/Orange Groit Pad, Pinnacle Liquid Souveran Wax w/ Red Pad. Came out nice for a Daily Driver w/ 90k on the ticker that was infrequently washed and never clayed. Then I 2B washed and clayed my wife's 2007 Black TrailBlazer SS. I finished with GD Infinate Detail and run out of time to polish or wax.

REASON FOR POST... So now it was time to tackle the Vette. The paint looks okay when its dolled up with wax, but really its has swirls, scratches, waterspots all over.

1) 2BW
2) Groit Paint Clay/GD Infinate Detail (clay seemed kind of aggressive definitely some marring).
3) Groit Polisher, V34 with Orange CG hex pad
I just wasnt' happy with the scratches that were left behind under the fluorescent lights in my garage. Probably just newbie unrealistic expectations. Picture of hood below after clay.

So I switched to V32 with Orange Hex pad. Polished the deck lid in 2x2 sections w/ crisscross pattern. Wow, that was aggressive! It dulled the finish and left what my wife called "eye lash" shaped buffer scratches. Picture of quarter panel after V32 below. I ceased with the V32 and started using V34 polish to see what it was going to take to clean up the buffer scratches. I went over the sections of the deck lid about 4 or 5 times and it looks much better, but still have some of the eyelashes. Picture below after several passes of V34.

So I'm questioning if I should keep running the V34 at this point to eliminate the eyelash scratches, or switch to V38 w/ different pad? Also what is the deal with all the dust? normal or am I doing some wrong there? Is it okay to polish through the dust and wipe it away between sections?

HOOD - AFTER CLAY
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35337&stc=1&d=1435439565

QUARTER - AFTER V32
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35338&stc=1&d=1435439565

DECKLID - AFTER 5 PASSES V34
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35339&stc=1&d=1435439565

[Daviddear30]

I own a black vette. Started with CG v34 36 38 etc. Wasn't happy. Got menzerna fg400 and it was 10x better.

[Rsurfer]

Menzerna 4000 might clean up that haze.

[refreshauto]

Yea, like it has been said already. Get rid of the CG stuff and switch to either Menzerna, Wolfgang or Shine Supply. You will get much better results

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Welcome to AutoGeekOnline Jimmy! You found the right place to help you properly maintain your vehicles.

As mentioned above, pick up some quality compounds and polishes from either the Menzerna or Wolfgang lineup. I would also go a step further and pick up some new pads to go along with these new products.

Here is an excellent article on the Wolfgang lineup of products.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74198-wolfgang-four.html

The Menzerna equivalent to the above is FG400, SIP1500, SF4000, and PowerLock.
Fast Gloss 400
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-fast-gloss.html)
SI1500
Menzerna SIP - Super Intensive Polish PO83 (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-po83-si1500.html)
SF4000
Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA, Menzerna Final Polish, Nano abrasives, finishing polish, professional polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-super-nano-polish.html)
PowerLock
Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)

My favorite pads for a standard DA machine are the Lake Country Hydro tech pads. Being that there are only three pads in the lineup it makes it very easy to identify and select which pad is needed for a beginner. You will want the smaller 5.5" pads.
Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads 3 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/hydrotech-low-profile-3pack.html)

[FUNX650]

Meguiar's M205 will clear up that haze.
"Test Spot" w/finishing-pad.
Progress to a polishing-pad, if need be.


Bob

[AZ Mike]

Welcome to AutoGeekOnline Jimmy! You found the right place to help you properly maintain your vehicles.

As mentioned above, pick up some quality compounds and polishes from either the Menzerna or Wolfgang lineup. I would also go a step further and pick up some new pads to go along with these new products.

Here is an excellent article on the Wolfgang lineup of products.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74198-wolfgang-four.html

The Menzerna equivalent to the above is FG400, SIP1500, SF4000, and PowerLock.
Fast Gloss 400
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-fast-gloss.html)
SI1500
Menzerna SIP - Super Intensive Polish PO83 (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-po83-si1500.html)
SF4000
Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA, Menzerna Final Polish, Nano abrasives, finishing polish, professional polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-super-nano-polish.html)
PowerLock
Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)

My favorite pads for a standard DA machine are the Lake Country Hydro tech pads. Being that there are only three pads in the lineup it makes it very easy to identify and select which pad is needed for a beginner. You will want the smaller 5.5" pads.
Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads 3 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/hydrotech-low-profile-3pack.html)

:iagree: Welcome to Autogeek.

[jimmyb496]

Thank you to everyone for the quick replies!

Hi David, why weren't you happy with the results? Did the V34 not remove the defects you were hoping it would? The FG400 looks like it's on the aggressive side. Would it be similar grit to the V32 or V34? I'm just try to decide if I'm at the point where I should be starting with the less aggressive option to clean up the marks left by the V32... maybe continue from where I'm at with Menzerna SI1500, IP2000, PF2500.

Mike, thanks for the detailed response. I have the Griots polish lineup and the CG polish line up, but after seeing the responses here, I'm definitely interested in the Menzerna line up. Since Mothers Day, I've invested about $1400 at Autogeek and $400 at CG trying to build an inventory of products to use and choose from for correctly taking care of my families vehicles and my toys. Tends to become a little addicting :).

You specifically mentioned the Hydro Tech pads for ease of use, which I can appreciate. I wanted to list the pads that I currently have to see if there might a suitable substitute or is the hydro tech producing a noticeable difference? Unfortunately I only have the Hex pads in 5.5" diameter. Would any of these do a good job with the Menzerna? I was under the impression the Hex pad was an excellent choice which is why I stocked up on them.

GRIOTS GARAGE 6.5”
-Orange,Correcting Pad
-Black,Finishing Pad
-Red,Waxing Pad

HEX-LOGIC PAD 6.5”
-Yellow,Heavy Cutting Pad
-Orange,Swirl & Scratch Remover Pad
-Green, Heavy Polishing Pad
-White,Perfect Surface Polishing Pad
-Blue,Glaze & Light Cleaner Foam Pad
-Black,Finishing Foam Pad
-Red,Ultra-Fine Finishing Pad

HEX-LOGIC PAD 5.5”
-Yellow,Heavy Cutting Pad
-Orange,Swirl & Scratch Remover Pad
-Green,Heavy Polishing Pad
-White,Perfect Surface Polishing Pad
-Blue,Glaze & Light Cleaner Foam Pad
-Black,Finishing Foam Pad
-Red,Ultra-Fine Finishing Pad

LAKE COUNTRY 4” CCS PADS
-Orange
-White
-White
-Green
-Blue
-Red

I'd note, I also have a PC 7424CP HD that I have tried yet, not sure if trying a different machine would help with this project, but figured I'd mention it.

One other thing I mentioned in the original post. the dust. Is this from the polish drying up in the pad or the small amounts of clear coat being removed for the car? I have been wiping it off before starting a section, but it begins to build after the 2nd or 3rd (of 6 passes), so I find myself passing through the dust as I'm working a section. Is the dust just normal? Is it fine to work through it?

FINISHED WORKING THE AREA TO RIGHT OF IMAGE.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35374&stc=1&d=1435515668

[ScottB]

There are several combo's that work extremely well on GM paint:

1. Wolfgang Twins
2. Menzerna SIP and 085rd
3. Megs 105 and 205

[fly07sti]

Sometimes dust is just a part of compounding. What was the ambient temp in your area when you did this. Are you priming your pads? How much product do you apply to your pad for each new section? Could be too much product, overworking it. Just need some more info to get you dialed in.
I'd also agree with ditching the CG compounds/polishes. Your pads are good. They are actually Buff&Shine pads with the hex's cut in per CG design. FWIW, most Vettes that I've worked on have had fairly hard clear. FG does cut good and finishes down damn near LSP ready on harder clears.

[jimmyb496]

Sometimes dust is just a part of compounding. What was the ambient temp in your area when you did this. Are you priming your pads? How much product do you apply to your pad for each new section? Could be too much product, overworking it. Just need some more info to get you dialed in.
I'd also agree with ditching the CG compounds/polishes. Your pads are good. They are actually Buff&Shine pads with the hex's cut in per CG design. FWIW, most Vettes that I've worked on have had fairly hard clear. FG does cut good and finishes down damn near LSP ready on harder clears.

Temperature inside my garage was 70-75 degrees. I start with priming by putting 4 pea size dots on pad and dabbed around the working area on car. Then 3 more dots, dabbed around, then moved polish around area on low setting (~#2), Then turned up to speed #5 - 5-1/2 and began working area. For subsequent areas, I just add 3 dots of polish to pad, dab work area, then spread on #2. I've bee working each area in slow Horizontal then vertical passes 3x each. I feel like I did it right when there is barely a little material under the pad when I come to a stop and not a lot to remove with my microfiber. When there is a little more polish left on paint, I question that I used too much or didn't go long enough.

Thanks for the info about the pads.

[jimmyb496]

There are several combo's that work extremely well on GM paint:

1. Wolfgang Twins
2. Menzerna SIP and 085rd
3. Megs 105 and 205

Thanks Scott for the recommendations. GM OE paint is really all I need to worry about at the moment so I appreciate hearing about the hardness tendencies of their clear and what works better on it.

-Jim

[jimmyb496]

EDIT: Nevermind, I see the 085rd is same as SI1500/PO83 Menzerna SIP - Super Intensive Polish PO83 (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-po83-si1500.html)


There are several combo's that work extremely well on GM paint:

1. Wolfgang Twins
2. Menzerna SIP and 085rd
3. Megs 105 and 205

SIP? SI1500? IP2000? either/or?
What is 085rd?
Thanks!

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/menzerna-chart-2013.jpg

[jimmyb496]

I'm preparing an order to use on the Vette. My cart looks like this...
Menzerna FG400
Menzerna SIP1500 (PO083/085RD)
Menzerna SF4000 (PO106FA)
Menzerna Powerlock
3) LC 5.5" CCS ORANGE Pads
2) LC 5.5" CCS WHITE Pads
1) LC 5.5" CCS RED Pad

I'm was finding that having one of each color 5.5" pad was causing problems when have to break the project up over a couple days. So felt some extras would be good solution.

I looked at the Hydro Tech pads and the thing that bothers me is the blue pad is the heaviest cutting pad... kind of breaking away from the seemingly unwritten color coding standards. I'm OCD I guess, but unless they outperformed the standard LC or Hex pads hands down, I'd just assume stick with pads that the colors follow some rhyme and reason.

My plan is to use the orange pad with FG400 & SIP1500, use white pad with SF4000, and red with Powerlock. I'm open to anyones suggestions or feedback about this plan.

It is confusing why there are 5 different colors between the orange and the red. I assume there must be an endless number of different scenarios that detailers must have to deal with and maybe that's why there are so many options. If I should be considering the pink, green, black, or blue, please let me know. Some of there descriptions seem almost identical.

[fly07sti]

Sounds like you're doing it correct. It may just be a trait of the CG compound. I actually have all of them and used v34 once and didn't care for it so I never even attempted using any of the others. Are you cleaning your pads after each section as well? Your new order looks good as well. Although IMO, the hydrotechs finish a lot better than the CCS. Also, I'd get at least 6 of each compound and polish pads.