Polishing my black 2018 Acura RDX - seeking advice.

[Flash Gordon]

Another vote for stiffer pad - Could give it a try with an orange pad.

Or a microfiber cutting pad

Was your IPA straight from the bottle?

[opie]

Here's my opinion... And it's just that... My opinion. I have no hard evidence either way, but it just seems to make sense to me.

Would you take a dry pad and run it on a perfectly polished black panel? Probably not. I know I wouldn't. But if I had a black test panel, I might try it to see the results. I'd expect some level of marring to occur.

Now, take that logic and apply it to your polishing. If the edge of your pad is dry and you're moving into a contour leading up to an edge, the dry edge of the pad might cause some marring in that contour.

That is why I prime the edge of the pad... To eliminate that possibility.

Make sense?

Yep, i understand you thought process now. Thanks

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[theTown]

Or a microfiber cutting pad

Was your IPA straight from the bottle?

No, I diluted it with distilled water to around 15%.


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[Flash Gordon]

No, I diluted it with distilled water to around 15%.


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100% would definitely cause marring is the reason that I asked

[theTown]

100% would definitely cause marring is the reason that I asked

I will try again after the holidays with a gentle wipe without any ipa. Hoping it’s that simple!

Do you also just do a gentle dry wipe?

I might order some brand new towels too just so I know they’re fresh and have only touched paint.

Open to any suggestions for gentle towels.


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[opie]

I will try again after the holidays with a gentle wipe without any ipa. Hoping it’s that simple!

Do you also just do a gentle dry wipe?

I might order some brand new towels too just so I know they’re fresh and have only touched paint.

Open to any suggestions for gentle towels.


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Ive never used anything other than a towel to wipe off abrasives.

What type of towels do you use?

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[theTown]

Ive never used anything other than a towel to wipe off abrasives.

What type of towels do you use?

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Rag company spectrum 420s and random assortment of microfibers from a free towel pack I got from auto geek - don’t know the brands.

I was never organized with them in terms of interior vs paint duty so was thinking I could eliminate more variables by just getting a pack for paint only.


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[opie]

I was never organized with them in terms of interior vs paint duty so was thinking I could eliminate more variables by just getting a pack for paint only.
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Yes that would be a good thing to start doing anyway. Using different colors for the different tasks is also a good idea.

Fwiw im still using cobra polishing cloths for abrasives removal and coating wipe off. Decent towels, but when they need replaced ill be switching to the towels 3D sells. I use them for hand washes and really like them. They are priced well and are 400 gsm if i remember correctly.

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[Coatingsarecrack]

Rag company spectrum 420s and random assortment of microfibers from a free towel pack I got from auto geek - don’t know the brands.

I was never organized with them in terms of interior vs paint duty so was thinking I could eliminate more variables by just getting a pack for paint only.


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I like the rag company 300 for initial removal and Eagle Edgeless 350 for final buff.

Looks like you got most of the swirl out. When spending all that time polishing your paint it’s worth investing in better materials.

I like to finish with Essence which I’d compare to perfecting cream with the boss yellow pad. Finished well on my soft ford shadow black paint.


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[opie]

When spending all that time polishing your paint it’s worth investing in better materials.
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Very well said. Such a simple thing that could be over looked...could be the thing that scews up the hard worked for final finish.

I will say the the Op, if you have not already..take the time to search out some of mike phillips articles and videos on here that hes done and even now o er at 3D.

I say that because when you first find this addictive hobby and a forum such as ago...there is a treasure trove of information. Such info that will answer most of your questions,i.e. what machine,pads,abrasives, towels, and then how to properly put those items to use.

It is very overwhelming at first cuz there is so much out there. It would take years of wastfull spending to figure out the best combos if i had not found this place with mike p and all yinz. I know it put me miles ahead of where i would be.

Sorry i may have rambled on a bit...but it never hurts to read and watch ALOT b4 ya jump head first into it.

Keep your process simple

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