[335iTurbo'd]

As the title states I am attempting to perform a total paint correction on my car. I started out with the wash then clayed then a second wash. I then went on to the Menzerna SI 1500 (green pad) then with the SF 4500 (black pad). Problem I am having is even after the correct procedure for both products I still have some marring/scratches that are only visible with a LED light. I think I need to start off with a more aggressive approach? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!!

[hurricane56]

It could be a combination of things. I'm by no means any expert or professional, but when I did some correction work on my JB paint, there are two things that made a huge difference. The first was the amount of pressure placed on your polisher. The second was the speed you're moving the polisher over your section passes. I found that trying to adjust these two parameters was very effective. Also, how large of a section are you working on?

[335iTurbo'd]

Still just trying to get my test section right, only about 16" square. I am using a PC 7424xp on setting 5 for the SI 1500 moderate pressure at first the easing up on the 4th or so section pass and setting of 4 for the SF 4500 with less pressure.

[EUROE90]

have you tried a orange cutting pad?

[hurricane56]

I haven't tried a green pad, but I'd also recommend trying a more aggressive pad.

[mvillezcas]

PC is too weak. Your current polishes are too weak. Buy a Griot's DA. Then buy Meguiar's D300 compound with their microfiber pads and Menzerna SF4000 with a black finishing pad. You'll get professional results. Your technique is fine. It's your products that aren't correct

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by 335iTurbo'd

As the title states I am attempting to perform a total paint correction on my car. I started out with the wash then clayed then a second wash. I then went on to the Menzerna SI 1500 (green pad) then with the SF 4500 (black pad). Problem I am having is even after the correct procedure for both products I still have some marring/scratches that are only visible with a LED light. I think I need to start off with a more aggressive approach? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!!

my car is also Jet Black. I have several different brands of polishes and Pads in my arsenals (Menzerna - SIP - SF, Meguiar's - M105 - M205, Chemical Guys - V32 -V34 - V36 - V38). I did mine 2 months ago and I had some great results with the PC. I used the orange pad (correcting polish) then follow with a white pad (finishing polish). 5 passes with each.

I have now switched to Surbuf cutting pads to do the heavy corrections. I done several more cars since and I find that I could do less passes with them.

BTW, I also find that using a smaller pad with a PC gets you more cutting power.

PM me if you have any questions.

[335iTurbo'd]

Finally got to mess with the car tonight for a few hours.

[335iTurbo'd]

Few more shots, some 50/50 shots

[psnt1ol]

looking good.. Did you do anything differently?

[335iTurbo'd]

So far I have used M105/surbuf combo on the PC 7424XP on setting of 6. Three passes with heavy pressure then follow that up with 2 passes with light pressure. The M105 sure does flash fast. It is about 91 outside though. I am in the garage but still hot. Next step will be with M205/white LC pad combo. I then plan to hit it nice and easy with Menzerna SF 4500 on black pad. I wil then seal it with BFWD sealant (letting sealant cure for atleast 8 hours before wax) and top that off with BF Midnight Sun wax.

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by 335iTurbo'd

So far I have used M105/surbuf combo on the PC 7424XP on setting of 6. Three passes with heavy pressure then follow that up with 2 passes with light pressure. The M105 sure does flash fast. It is about 91 outside though. I am in the garage but still hot. Next step will be with M205/white LC pad combo. I then plan to hit it nice and easy with Menzerna SF 4500 on black pad. I wil then seal it with BFWD sealant (letting sealant cure for atleast 8 hours before wax) and top that off with BF Midnight Sun wax.

Like I said earlier, that's why I switched to Surbuf pads. You might not have to do the M205 and go straight to SF4500. I would recommend a slower speed when using the SF4500 since you are done with the heavy correcting. I find that the passes with light pressure with M105 are unnecessary since M105 is really a compound. Sometimes a squirt of water on the pad will reactivate M105 so you could continue to work on the same area if the initial passes didn't do the trick.

by the way, the swirls on your car were pretty bad. This must the first time that the car went under this sort of beauty treatment. It reminded me of a car ( a vintage 1988 Lambo Jalpa) I did last week.

Take your time and enjoy the experience.

[335iTurbo'd]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and make suggestions. I still have some light scratches I will be cleaning up with the M205. What setting on the PC do you recommend and how many passes and pressures? Also I am using the SF4500 with black pad, what speed there? This is my first attempt at paint correction and it is on the infamous Jet Black. Would you recommend one coat of sealant or two?

Thanks

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by 335iTurbo'd

Thanks for taking the time to comment and make suggestions. I still have some light scratches I will be cleaning up with the M205. What setting on the PC do you recommend and how many passes and pressures? Also I am using the SF4500 with black pad, what speed there? This is my first attempt at paint correction and it is on the infamous Jet Black. Would you recommend one coat of sealant or two?

Thanks

I would do 2 coats of sealant. I suggest you try using the SF4500 prior to M205 and see if that would take out the fine scratches (that is what we are talking about - right?). Try 2 passes with moderate pressure on 5 with a grey pad (slow but not snail-pace) then immediately 2-3 passes with almost no pressure on 4 (moderate pace) with the same pad.

For a gloss that is out of this world, glaze before you apply the sealant. I have the infamous Jet Black as well and I find BlackLight with a blue pad (black is fine if you don't have the blue) works really well for this.

Remember this..... there is no set formula for doing this. every car is different.

Here is a chart from Autogeek that you might find helpful.

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-of-germany.html

PDF on waxes and polishes

http://www.autogeek.net/swreandpo.html

[335iTurbo'd]

Few pics after the M205!!! I am still seeing some scratches when I put the LED light on it from just the right angle and look really closely. Am I just being too much of a perfectionist, how does it look?

[335iTurbo'd]

Pics after polishing!!!

[holmes011]

looks damn good to me

[Kid Red]

Finish looks great now.

So what was your final product/steps? Can you adjust below-

105/surbuf 5.5" speed 5, 2 heavy, 2-3 light pressure passes
205/surbuf 5.5" speed 5, 2 heavy, 2-3 light pressure passes
SF4500/grey/black pad speed 2, 2 moderate, 2-3 light pressure passes
Glaze/black pad (optional)
2 coats sealant

[335iTurbo'd]

Originally Posted by Kid Red

Finish looks great now.

So what was your final product/steps? Can you adjust below-

105/surbuf 5.5" speed 5-6, 3 heavy, 2 light pressure passes--may not need the light pressure passes
205/LC green 5.5" speed 5-6, 2 heavy, 2-3 light pressure passes--you could use a LC white pad
SF4500/grey/black pad speed 4-5, 2 moderate, 2-3 light pressure passes
Glaze/black pad (optional)
sealant/LC blue speed 3-4--2 coats--make sure you allow proper cure times
Carnuba wax/LC blue speed 3-4 or apply by hand
try this on a test spot and see if it yields the final result you are looking for.

105/surbuf 5.5" speed 5-6, 3 heavy, 2 light pressure passes--may not need the light pressure passes
205/LC green 5.5" speed 5-6, 2 heavy, 2-3 light pressure passes--you could use a LC white pad
SF4500/grey/black pad speed 4-5, 2 moderate, 2-3 light pressure passes
Glaze/black pad (optional)
sealant/LC blue speed 3-4--2 coats--make sure you allow proper cure times
Carnuba wax/LC blue speed 3-4 or apply by hand
try this on a test spot and see if it yields the final result you are looking for.

[335iTurbo'd]

Of course it was cloudy by the time I was taking pics this evening. I will get some in the sun though.

[335iTurbo'd]

pics

[psnt1ol]

The car looks great!!!!! From looking at the result, it definitely worth the time and the work you put into it. i think you put in at least 16 hours.

With proper washing method (foam pre-wash and 2 bucket hand wash) , you should be able to maintain the look for a very long time.

Good job!!! Most importantly, I hope you had fun doing it.