I've got a car that is in very bad shape with heavy oxidation and swirl marks, sorry no pics. I'd prefer to stick with an orange pad as I don't have much/any experience with a yellow pad and don't want to f it up.

What's the most aggressive compound that I can use with an orange pad.

 

For what vehicle?

Also, what polishes/compounds do you currently have?

 

93 Porsche 911/964...blue

I have optimum compound II and OP. I haven't tried anything on the car yet, but I know OC II won't do this job. Was thinking Menzerna power gloss compound, which will hit 1000 grit scratches. The OC II will only go to 1500.

I'm using a PC.

 

You may want to first test out the OCII with the orange pad to see how well it works. If you have deep defects, then it may not matter what compound you're using with a PC. You may need wetsanding and a rotary to correct them.

I'd try the OCII/orange on speed 6 to see what level of correction you get. If you still want to go further, then get yourself some Power Gloss, SSR3, or Megs 105 (works great, but big learning curve on this one).

You may find that the Porsche has softer paint and corrects (relatively) easy. I've seen them with soft paint, and with hard, so flip a coin!

 

i used hypercompound this weekend on my car, and it wasnt strong enough even with a wool pad.

maybe poorboys SSR3?

 

Thanks...The earlier porsche's, like my 86 911, is single stage paint and is pretty easy to work with. Not sure about this 93 911s, though. i'll give the ocII a shot.

Hypercompound is less abrasive than OCII, just hits 1500 grit scratches.

 

Not so sure about that. Compound II is used to remove the clouding that HC leaves behind........HC usually cuts to the chase pretty quick, unless your working on ceramiclear, then its just a tad longer for results.

 

I stand corrected...from the manufacturer...

Optimum Hyper™ Compound was designed for professional detailers and autobody shops to cut through wet sanding marks and deep scratches in one or two passes. Optimum HyperTM Compound offers all the advantages of Optimum line of polishes with infinite working time and zero dusting. However, it is more aggressive and can generate the desired results in a fraction of time.

The minor swirls or haziness left after using Optimum Hyper™ Compound can easily be removed with the Optimum™ Compound or Polish. Optimum Hyper™ Compound has a longer working time than most compounds to prevent dry buffing. Although it is full of lubricants, it contains no silicone oils or wax, so it is completely body shop safe. Optimum Hyper™ Compound can be used at any speed on your polisher and with a wool or foam pad. When using a wool buffing pad, the compound will remove 1000 sand scratches and lighter at 1000-1400 RPM. Faster buffing speed is not needed with this product. When using a medium or heavy cut foam pad, the compound will remove 1500 sand scratches and lighter at 1000-1400 RPM. The compound works more or less aggressively depending on the pad you choose. Follow up with Optimum Polish to refine the paint surface before applying Optimum Wax. All Optimum products meet VOC regulations.

 

what happens if you use hyper compound at speeds faster than recommended?

i had some hazing this weekend after using hyper compound, and then i followed up with oc2 (assuming that is the regular compound they have) and it still didnt remove it.

 

Are you using rotary or PC?

 

pc

 

All the OC will do at that point is remove the hazing the HC left behind. I mean it will still degrade swirls and scratches, but you have to have the HC do the majority of work. OC is a "clean up batter" after "getting on base" (GO ANGELS, LOL) with the HC.
You would be amazed at what can be accomplished with a PC, pads, pressures and compounds. Its not like the abrasives "stop" working when using a PC. They just diminish a little slower, and with less heat.

 

Now I'm getting a little more confused. What about a polish? When I use OCII it leaves behind a haze. I then use OP to get rid of it. If you use HC, then OC, isn't there another step needed?? Can I go from HC directly to OP??

 

It really depends on the paint your using it on. The only way to tell is to try it on a small area first. Thats half the fun of detailing.........experimenting!
And this goes for all polishes. Theres no one polish which does it all..........

 

Well, tried to tackle this car yesterday and while I was able to get some gloss to return, the car is still a mess. I only had an orange pad with Menzerna power gloss compound, it wasn't enough. Still has heavy swirl marks. I think iI might need a much heavier cut pad, like yellow or purple?? wool pad. I think it also might need to be wet sanded...that's a little beyond my skill level right now and I don't know how to do it.

I used the orange pad and the menzerna compound on my 86 porsche and it took virtually everything out. Followed it with Menzerna IP and then menz final pol, which btw is really nice stuff. The 86 is single stage, the 93 911 has a clear coat on it.

Sorry, no pics.

 

That just goes to show you, no two paints are alike........thats also why its very difficult to recommend products which will cure whatever ails detailers. Nothing is ever the same as before, your always adjusting techniques and products.