I just detailed the exterior (black) of my truck after my body shop did it because there were swirls in the paint from a machine (very light). I stripped it with dawn and Megs. GC dried and started with my Makita and a foam polishing pad with Megs.#80 next Megs. NXT and then Megs.#16. Rained two days later and dried and I could still see the swirls on the paint. Any help would be great to solving this problem. Thanks

 

can you post some pics ? might help with suggestions.

although my first thought is what are you using to dry it ?




oh, and I will fix it for all of your #16

 

Try the following:

strip it down
Meg.'s step 1 (cleaner wax)
# 80
Color-x and/or scratch-x
#16 (x2)

If that doesn't work, perhaps RP has another way.

Good luck

 

...waiting on pictures and maybe a little more description on the original process (ie: pads used, type of makita (was it a rotary?), experience with said products and methods...)

 

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...283&anum=10613
Here is a pic. And yes the makita is a rotary. The nxt and 16 i did by hand. (Truc k is dirty in pic). Thanks Justin.

 

Issues like these are VERY tough to diagnose via electronics but, to me, it looks like the #80 wasn't given enough time to break down and do it's work. That or #80 wasn't adequate to address the problem that's in your paint...

You may try multiple applications with #80 because, based on the pictures, it's a good choice to address what I'm seeing in the picture.

It could be in the application/rotary use technique. Again though, via electronic correspondence, it's impossible to diagnose that...

Are you experienced with the rotary? I don't ask that as a pointed question but more as an inquiry as to your comfort level with the machine. The rotary, as you probably know, is a very powerful tool and, if you're not careful, you can induce a problem that is ten-fold what you had to start with...

 

Yes I have used a buffer before prox. 300+ hrs. I cant see why the paint would swirl with #80 I would guess the breakdown part like you said. The paint is 5 months old.

 

Good deal...

My hunch is the breakdown then... hard call, like I mentioned.

 

For starters I would not try and do finish work with a rotary. They are fine if you are a body shop and are using something with tons of fillers to hide swirls. I highly recommend a GOOD random orbital liek a Cyclo. Here is some of my past work http://www.danielsdetailing.com/gall...ls.php?album=1 and http://www.danielsdetailing.com/gall...ls.php?album=3 You can see how good the black paint came out. This is my favorite shot of myself...it was me taking a pic in the passenger door of my old 2001 Civic:

 

Yea I got a porter cable too. I'll be doing that this weekend.

 

Hey RP I popped on www.properautocare.com (excellent site third time I have purchased from them) and purchased Merzerna Intensive Polish and Merzerna Final Polish 2. The guy I spoke to said to work a 2 by 2 area for about 2 minutes with the PC and my most aggressive pad on like a 4.5 to 5 for the Intensive Polish. And a polishing pad to finish with the Final Polish for the finishing touch of course.

 

I've got swirls in my black as well, too bad RP doesn't want to take a vacation to sunny Florida.

 

Ahh... it's not that bad of a trip up issa' way.

 

heres a tip you might find useful -

try what a few people have said by first applying color-x, then go back over it with scratch doctor. but do not wax by hand, go buy a mini handheld wax orbital (cost around $25 at wal-mart or auto parts stores) and take an extra long time waxing in a circular motion at a high rpm. this is almost like buffing but a less expensive way to remove swirl marks. make sure you repeat with scratch doctor though.

 

I just used Merzerna Intensive Polish and Merzerna Final Polish 2. It blows Megs. 80 and 83 out of the water this stuff is AWESOME