Noob paint correction what to try next for clear coat scratches

[BMWNoob]

Hi All


Noob to paint correction. Buddy got me PC, wolfgang total swirl remover and glaze, and Lake CCS orange and black pads for birthday.


In December, I acquired a 3 year old, 14K mile, black, BMW 535xi. Lots of swirl marks and some light scratches. Busted out my new toys on the trunk lid.


Massive improvement but still scratches. i did one application (6 section passes) with total swirl remover and CCS black (finishing) pad, based on principal of least aggressive first. It didn't remove the deeper scratches so I switched to more aggressive CCS orange pad. First application still showed scratches, so did a second. Some of the scratches are still there.


here is before:



here is after:



Improvement isn't as dramatic as it looks (depth of color wise) as lighting was different. (wonder if i should get a brinkman?)


So, for the remaining deeper scratches (can't feel with finger nail) what should I try next? My thoughts are:


a) More aggressive pad (CCS yellow, microfiber, wool, rayon?)
b) Compound (Wolfgang uber?)
c) Something else?


Listened to a podcast recently with Matt Gibbs. He said he doesn't used compounds anymore: just more aggressive pads with polishes. Thoughts on this?


Would welcome any suggestions


TIA


Mark

[BudgetPlan1]

Might wanna give Megs D300 and their microfiber cutting discs a try, followed by the WG FG on white LC flat ( or Thin Pro) pad.

Not a fan of dimpled pads myself, especially with DAT polishes/compounds like WG.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

I would try some Menzerna FG400 on a white pad, and then try it on the orange pad if the white does not work. Then re evaluate. Sometimes you have to live with the scratches. If the FG400 does not make some significant improvement I would be surprised. It the scratches are too deep sometimes they are best left alone.

Menzerna Heavy Cut Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound

[BMWNoob]

thanks guys