More or less aggressive?

I'm in the process of detailing my Road Glide to get it ready for a coating (CQuartz). I thought I was in good shape till I put the paint light on it. What I'm running into is that, no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the swirls/RIDS/marks out of the Vivid Black section(s) on the fairing. The marks are only really visible when the light is on it.

I've tried CCS foam pads: orange and white. I've also tried Meguiars microfiber pads: cutting and finishing. The compounds/polishes I've tried are: Meguiars D30016 Correction Compound and D30216 Polish, Blackfire Compound and Polish. I just can't seem to touch the marks - In fact, I may be making it worse.

I definitely can't catch any of the 'marks' with a finger-nail. It feels pretty smooth actually. It's to the point where I thought it was under the paint. That was till I got desperate and picked up another fairing. That one is basically demonstrating the same behavior so it must be me.

Attachment 69392

At this point I'm kinda lost. Do I need to go more aggressive - i.e. heavy cutting pad or wet-sanding? Or less aggressive - finishing pad(s)?

Any help is appreciated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by clsmith

I'm in the process of detailing my Road Glide to get it ready for a coating (CQuartz). I thought I was in good shape till I put the paint light on it. What I'm running into is that, no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the swirls/RIDS/marks out of the Vivid Black section(s) on the fairing. The marks are only really visible when the light is on it.

---

Here's your picture in full size.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...vividblack-jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by clsmith

I've tried CCS foam pads: orange and white. I've also tried Meguiars microfiber pads: cutting and finishing. The compounds/polishes I've tried are: Meguiars D30016 Correction Compound and D30216 Polish, Blackfire Compound and Polish. I just can't seem to touch the marks - In fact, I may be making it worse.

---

I'm going to guess super soft paint.

And just to note, when it comes to super soft paint - even the PADS can cause micro-marring.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by clsmith

At this point I'm kinda lost.

Do I need to go more aggressive - i.e. heavy cutting pad or wet-sanding?

Or less aggressive - finishing pad(s)? <-- this

---

You need to get LESS aggressive.

Try the BLACKFIRE Polish with a foam finishing pad of a foam waxing pad.

100% avoid microfiber pads as the fibers are a form of abrasive.


:)

Here's two recent cars I detailed where the paint was so soft I CORRECTED THE PAINT - using SOFT FOAM FINISHING PADS.

In other words, I removed ALL the swirls and scratches using ONLY very soft foam finishing pads.


Here's a 1996 black Porsche I detailed that had the original black basecoat/clearcoat paint and IT was super soft.

Original BASECOAT/CLEARCOAT paint - 1996 Porsche 993

http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...6_Pcar_007.JPG



Review: Wolfgang Concours-Series Microfiber Towels - 1988 Porsche 928 s4

http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...Towels_027.JPG






Trying to use one level of cut higher than a foam finishing pad, i.e. a foam "polishing" pad, the PAD left marring in the paint.



:)

More....


Fibers are a form of abrasive - Foam Pads vs Microfiber Pads by Mike Phillips


:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Phillips

...You need to get LESS aggressive.

Try the BLACKFIRE Polish with a foam finishing pad of a foam waxing pad.

100% avoid microfiber pads as the fibers are a form of abrasive.


:)

---

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate the advice! This actually gives me hope as I'm not sure I would've been brave enough to go the more aggressive route.