Started a long over due work on the wife's 2001 Expedition. I need some advise on getting out the swirls.





It seems I can make the swirls shine but not go away.










I'm just a little scared to go overboard with the polisher. Any advise will help.

Thanks, Jim

 

My first post is a little open ended and lacking info.....Here it is.

Products:
Meg's white clay
Meg's QD for clay lube
Meg's Ultimate compound (ran out of 105)
Meg's 205
Meg's Ultimate polish
Meg's Carnuba liquid on the panel that is "done"

Groits 6"D/A
Meg's Maroon Pad (coarse)-with ultimate compound
Auto Geek Orange pad-with 205
No name Black finishing pad 1 for Ultimate polish & 1 to apply wax

Process: Wash-Clay-Maroon pad & UC-Orange pad & 205-Black pad &UP-Black pad & carnuba-Micro fiber towel wipe off.

I'm thinking that the DAT (Ultimate Compound and Polish) isn't my best friend. Any thoughts?

Thanks Jim

 

Rule is try least aggressive products first - the 105/UC may be too much for what needs to be done and you should start with the M205.

I think you need something less aggressive after the 205 but something that will actually do something, unlike the polish. Maybe this?

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-swirl-remover.html

 

Thanks George. I went at it this morning with a different pad and just 205. Seems to be a tad better, guess I'll find out after it gets dark and I put a light on it. I used an Orange CCS pad by Lake and it doesn't look too bad in the subdued sunlight we have today, guess I can live with it.

Is that a filler like a glaze? That is what it sounds like.

 

I guess I can live with it.......it aint a new car!





Just did 1 side, I have the driver side, hood, roof, and lift gate. It's like eating an elephant......one bite at a time!

 

I think I got it. Orange lake county ccs pad and Meg's 205. Set the buffer on 3-4 medium pressure until it started to drag, then gave it a squirt with the water bottle and light pressure for about 4 more passes. I'm happy, what do you think......not too bad for a 16 year old paint job.





I'm no Merlin, but I'm getting better.

 

Looks pretty darn good, but I'd recommend Meguire's M101 with that same orange pad. You'll be amazed how much quicker it will correct. Then you can follow up with the M205 on a white CCS pad, then the LSP of your choice.

BTW, try some Poor Boys Spray & Rinse Wheel Cleaner on those front wheels!

 

Thanks for the comment and advise on pads and polish. What speed should I use for the 101 and the 205, was I running too fast at 3-4 on the Groits?

And yes the wheels are a testimony as to how over due this project was. Weather permitting I'll get my 63 year old butt out there and finish her up!

BTW, is this OCD thing contagious?

 

I haven't used that particular machine, but I'd run my Flex flat out on something like that. I've even used my rotatory with M101 and an orange pad at about 2,500 RPM on some really tough stuff. As for the M205 / white pad, I'd run your machine flat out too.

Don't worry about being 63. I'm 60 and have been at this for longer than I care to admit here. As for the OCD thing being contagious, some people seem to have quite a resistance to it - my ex for instance!

 

You went the correct route, least aggressive first, but you have figured out it is like trying to turn a 4x4 into a 2x4 with 120 grit sandpaper. It will work, it will just take a really long time.

I think Auto Geek Orange is the same as Lake Country Orange, so that is a light cutting pad.
http://www.lakecountrymfg.com/applic...tion-guide.pdf

UC on the orange pad will cut out passes ( or ORG 205 ), as that paint has a fair amount of marring / swirls to it.

You will need to Orange UC ( 101 ) it and then follow up with Orange 205 maybe black w/ 205.
- I take 3 steps on something like that, orange with compound, white with polish and black ( blue ) pad with polish.

I am like tom, I run my flex flat out when correcting. I think running the DA at top speed for this is in order.

The wheels, invest in some Poorboys Spray & Rinse Wheel Cleaner and a gong brush. You are going to need to go after it a few times, but they should come 90% clean. A lot quicker than trying to use soap.

Sample I did without using a brush on them :
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ca...ml#post4891637

It is turning out great, it is just as you posted : the same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.

 

Thanks SSCULLY, your opinion and Tom's carry a lot of weight with me, I have a lot of respect for your experience.

This is an outside parker DD that is 16 years old so I don't expect it to look show car purdy. Just couldn't stand the way it looked before I attacked it.

 

Thanks SSCULLY, your opinion and Tom's carry a lot of weight with me, I have a lot of respect for your experience.

This is an outside parker DD that is 16 years old so I don't expect it to look show car purdy. Just couldn't stand the way it looked before I attacked it.

DOUBLE POST TO SHOW HOW MUCH I VALUE YOUR HELP!

 

Before


After


HUGE Improvement! Nice work!

I might suggest a Megs DBP5 5" backing plate, Megs 5" DMC5 discs and some Capro Essence.
Run the GG at about speed 3-4 not faster than five and use arm speed at about 1" per second.

Essence is a mild finishing polish (it contains some CP Reflect finishing polish in the formula).
I have found the 5" Megs mf discs and CP Essence to be a swirl killer/Outstanding GLOSS combo!

Again...Nice Job!

 

Thank you Merlin, your atta boy it means a lot to me..........because I've seen your work and you are a GOD!