2012 Honda Accord polish question

[curiousgeorge]

So I have been following the forum for a while and finally took the plunge and ordered a da polisher (Griots 6").

I have a six week old 2012 Honda Accord that has a few places that need polisihing to remove tiny imperfections (2 swirls and 1 small scratch). I know the Honda paint is ridiculously soft. So I want the least aggressive pad and polish. Which color and which polish?

I also have a 2003 VW Jetta that has tons of swirls, scratches, and rids. I have read on here that the VW pain is hard. So any recommendations for the VW is also helpful

I already have the bfwd and midnight sun for last stage.

[Stephan]

I have a 2010 Acura TL and I feel your pain with their paint. I swear there are times that if I look at my car wrong it starts to swirl. For me what has worked is 3M Perfect-It 3000 Ultrafine Machine Polish and their Ultrafine polishing pads. Although I believe its intended for rotary use only. For a DA I have found that a finsihing pad and polish has been the way to go.

[alko]

Hello an welcome to the forum. I am fairly familiar with Honda paint, as I've had an 08 Accord and a 2010 Acura TSX. If you look at your car wrong you'll put a swirl in it.

I would suggest, from what you have provided and since your car is fairly new, that you get you some 4.5" spot buff pads for the areas of the swirls and the scratches. I would recommend getting you some tangerine hydro tech pads. Here is a link to the 3 pack, which I HIGHLY suggest you get a few of the same color pad:

Lake Country Hydro-Tech 4 x 1.25 Inch Foam Pads, Hydrotech foam buffing pads, spot polishing pads, dual action pads

For the rest of the area, I recommend getting either the LC Flat or LC
Hydro Tech 5.5" pads.

White for one steps or for cleaning down the paint:

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads

Red for the hydro techs
Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5.5 x 1.25 Inch Foam Pads, hydrotech foam buffing pads, Lake Country dual action foam pads

The key with the Hydrotech pads is that you'll have to change them out often. When I say change them out often I mean after every section.

As far as polish goes, I've had excellent results with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze for general cleaning down the paint. You may want to pick up the Wolfgang Twins since you'll be doing spot paint correction on the Honda and full correction on the VW:

Wolfgang 8 oz. Swirl Remover Combo, Wolfgang polishes, total swirl remover, finishing glaze, machine glaze

I used both for the Acura and it came out amazing and I used the Finishing Glaze on a 2010 RX350 that didn't need any paint correction.

[ride5150]

I have a 2010 Acura TL and I feel your pain with their paint. I swear there are times that if I look at my car wrong it starts to swirl. For me what has worked is 3M Perfect-It 3000 Ultrafine Machine Polish and their Ultrafine polishing pads. Although I believe its intended for rotary use only. For a DA I have found that a finsihing pad and polish has been the way to go.

yes those products are for rotary use only.

as for what pads to buy, you really dont know what will work unless you try it. from personal experience on a newer, black accord, i was taking pretty heavy swirling out with m205 on a white pad. if its a deep scratch (but doesn't catch your fingernail) then i would recommend some orange or yellow LC pads and m105. then finish with m205 on a white pad. this^^ is a VERY common combination.

the 3.5" spot buffs will spin MUCH faster than the 5.5" - 6.5" pads on speed 6, and you can DEFINITELY burn through paint that way. if youre using them they will give you easier correction but be careful.