Orbital Polisher Help Needed

weissja · 04-28-2012, 05:30 PM

I successfully removed a small scratch, but now have streaking that's visible in the direct sunlight. See attached picture.

I'm sure it's user error, and would like some input on how to correct.

I used an orbital buffer at about 1300 to 1400 rpm's with a foam pad designed for light polish. Product used: 1st started with Chemical Guys P40 Polish and then moved to Chemical Guys Final Polish. I didn't apply much pressure to the polisher and just used the weight of the polisher.

What did I do wrong? How do I fix?

Thanks,

Jim

kjang · 04-28-2012, 07:19 PM

Make sure you clay before you polish. This prevents you from ingraining particles into the paint. Also, polish in a criss-cross pattern. This will even out the paint to eliminate unevenness, which is what you may be experiencing.

Dr. G · 04-28-2012, 09:30 PM

Key question: which orbital buffer?

weissja · 04-29-2012, 12:13 AM

It's a Hitachi SP 18VA

TOGWT · 04-29-2012, 08:03 AM

The Hitachi SP 18VA is a rotary polisher and the marks you are seeing are holorams

Holograms - (also called buffer marks or buffer trails) which again are scratches but these scratches are micro-fine patterned scratches which are caused by a high speed polisher and an operator who doesn't know how to properly finish down their work. They take on a 3-D effect and if the car is moving or you move around the car they seem to "flow" through the paint.

They can be caused by not allowing a diminishing polish to fully break-down i.e. insufficient work time, the product should become somewhat transparent (i.e. looks like thin cover of Vaseline) A finishing foam pad and polish at 1000RPM should remove them (or better yet use a random orbital polisher to remove them)

04-28-2012, 05:30 PM	#1
weissja Private First Class 13 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 550i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Orbital Polisher Help Needed I successfully removed a small scratch, but now have streaking that's visible in the direct sunlight. See attached picture. I'm sure it's user error, and would like some input on how to correct. I used an orbital buffer at about 1300 to 1400 rpm's with a foam pad designed for light polish. Product used: 1st started with Chemical Guys P40 Polish and then moved to Chemical Guys Final Polish. I didn't apply much pressure to the polisher and just used the weight of the polisher. What did I do wrong? How do I fix? Thanks, Jim Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-28-2012, 07:19 PM	#2
kjang Private 0 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2006 Barrique Red 325i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Central New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Make sure you clay before you polish. This prevents you from ingraining particles into the paint. Also, polish in a criss-cross pattern. This will even out the paint to eliminate unevenness, which is what you may be experiencing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2012, 09:30 PM	#3
Dr. G Major General 278 Rep 5,062 Posts Drives: Black e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, Ontario iTrader: (32) Garage List e92 BMW 335i [8.84]	Key question: which orbital buffer? __________________ JB4 / OSS Angel Eyes / Downpipes / F1-Racewerks FMIC / Custom Meth Kit / BMS DCI / ER Chargepipe / HKS BOV / BMS Meth Elbow / BMW Performance Exhaust / Carbon Fiber Inlay Quad Tips / 19" Miro 111 / Front Aero Lip / M3 Sides / VRS CSL Trunk / Mtech Rear / DD CF Quad Finned Diffuser / LCI Tails / BBK / Smoked Reflectors / F1 Euphoria LED Interior / License LED's / GT 5000k Corners / 5000k HID Fogs / Air Scoops / LED Turn Signals / FK Silverline Coilovers / HPA endlinks / Vibrant Resonators / Osram CBI 5000k D1S
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2012, 12:13 AM	#4
weissja Private First Class 13 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 550i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	It's a Hitachi SP 18VA
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2012, 08:03 AM	#5
TOGWT Captain 11 Rep 770 Posts Drives: 630i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL / London, UK iTrader: (0)	The Hitachi SP 18VA is a rotary polisher and the marks you are seeing are holorams Holograms - (also called buffer marks or buffer trails) which again are scratches but these scratches are micro-fine patterned scratches which are caused by a high speed polisher and an operator who doesn't know how to properly finish down their work. They take on a 3-D effect and if the car is moving or you move around the car they seem to "flow" through the paint. They can be caused by not allowing a diminishing polish to fully break-down i.e. insufficient work time, the product should become somewhat transparent (i.e. looks like thin cover of Vaseline) A finishing foam pad and polish at 1000RPM should remove them (or better yet use a random orbital polisher to remove them)
	Appreciate 0 Quote