Micro-marring on black paint

[Osnapman]

For the life of me I can't figure out why I'm getting micro-marring after polishing/compounding.

I have a 2013 VW Golf with black paint that has lots of swirl marks on it, so I decided to finally try and fix it. I bought a harbor freight DA polisher and compounding and polishing pads from there as well.

First I cleaned and decontaminated the car (claybar, two bucket method etc..) I then used a compounding pad with Turtle Wax Premium Polishing Compound. And I used Meguiars 205 to finish after compounding. (Everything I used is linked below)

After compounding and polishing I did an IPA wipe-down with microfiber towels. I've noticed that this combo gets rid of the cobweb looking swirl marks pretty well, but when I pull my car out into the sun I can see marring all over it (Or at least that's what I think it is)

Post below is what I'm talking about, I shined a flash light on it in pitch black so you can see what I'm talking about. I don't think the problem was the IPA and microfiber towels, since the marring isn't straight up or down.

So I figured it was just because I was not finishing fine enough, so I picked up a meguiars 6" finishing foam pad and used it with m205, and it still did not fix the problem.

I'm a complete beginner so I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Any help is appreciated


Here are some images below (I had to link a couple of them since it wouldn't let me directly upload for some reason)








Competing websites removed -Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

First....

I found your post in the Moderation Queue - that's because in your first post you included links to an outside website. Spammers usually do this so our software is set up to move new member's post like it did.

I just found it at the end-of-day and approved it so now it's showing up for everyone to see.



Second

I hope you don't mind, but I took you single block of text and broke it up into several sentences and paragraphs to make it easier for others and myself to read.


I also edited and did my best to fix your images. It's tough to make pictures show up on a forum.



And, welcome to AutogeekOnline!

[Mike Phillips]

Here's a couple of stabs at the issues you're seeing,

When working on clearcoats, because they are scratch sensitive, this means the scratch EASILY. Everything that touches them must be clean and un-contaminated. This means towels and pads.


To me, in my experience and my opinion, the MOST important fact is the abrasive technology. I've never used the compound you've listed but I have NOT seen or read good things about it in the past.


Abrasive Technology - THE most important factor when it comes to polishing paint


So it could be, and this is just a guess, the compound is micro-marring the paint and the M205 is now powerful enough to remove the micro-marring?

Just a guess. I'm really not sure that would be the problem but when troubleshooting, you look for the ROOT CAUSE.



Root causes,

• Contaminated towels or pads - if the compound is bad then anything that's touched it is now contaminated.

Maybe others will have some ideas or suggestions?


I'm pushing away from the keyboard for the day, been typing since 9:00am on other hot projects. I'm a work-a-holic by nature but I don't want to get divorced.

[Mike Phillips]

Check out pictures here,

Pictures of Micro-Marring - DA Haze - Tick Marks - Compounds - Polishes - AIOs - Clearcoat Paints

[Mike Phillips]

I removed all the links to HF, Amazon and whatever else you had in there.

We're very tolerable around here but what the heck, here's the forum rules for moving forward.


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[Osnapman]

Yep wasn't trying to advertise anything, just trying to show people the products I was using

[PaulMys]

Yep wasn't trying to advertise anything, just trying to show people the products I was using

It is the product linking that is a no-no.

It is ok to say "I bought a HF polisher" or "I bought some towels on Amazon". In fact, PBMG (AutoGeek) is the seller of some products sold on Amazon.

But other than that, you will never find quality products like the ones sold here on AutoGeek on most sites.

[vobro]

I never could get M205 to finish down right on soft black paint, I have had better results with Optimum Hyper Polish and Griots Perfecting Cream. I’m sure it’s discouraging for you since this is your first time but soft black paint can be a challenge. Also if you change technique or get a different polish make sure you do a test spot to see if your process is working to your liking instead of doing the whole car then finding out your not happy

[dpevans]

I have never used Turtle wax polishing compound but you said you used it with a compounding pad,(looking at Harbor Freight web site maybe you got the orange foam pad which is a aggressive cutting pad, i sure hope you didn't get a wool pad) Turtle Wax states this polish will remove oxidation which tells me it's aggressive. I have used M205 and have never marred. I would try using the M205 with a pink pad or a yellow pad but try a small area and see if that works. You also have to really take your time and not rush it. I also use plush micro fiber for removing product. Go to the "how to section", another great resource is Mike's how to book, it has everything you need to know.

[Billy Baldone]

Hello and welcome. i think your issues are quality in pads/product. VW paint is a bit harder. If you are willing to invest in some better products, i recommend Sonax CutMax and Sonax Finishing polish 04/06. I also recommend better pads. 5" pads will be best for your machine. Lake Country HDO Blue Orange and Black are what you will need to keep on hand. probably at least 3 or 4 blue and orange and maybe 2 black. These are all products I have had success with on VW finishes in the past