I'm using a Makita 9227c on low/medium speed.
http://www.toolmarts.com/mak_9227c.html

Using an orange pad.
http://www.autogeek.net/vcpad.html

Used Pinnacle swirl remover first, moved to 3M Finesse-It, then to 3M Rubbing Compound to remove grade 1200 damage...Looks 100% better, but still have the etching.

Any suggestions?

I'm thinking, at this point, it's purely technique or I just need to spent more time on each panel. I believe the 3M compound is probably the most aggressive I should be using.

 

Even when I used my makita with a yellow cutting pad and Menzerna Powergloss I still had a little etching left on this 94 Legend I did. That combo is used is really aggressive. Depending on how far the etch goes down into the clear coat wet sanding is the most effective way to get it out. THe only problem is in the process you take a lot of precious clear coat off. There are just some things you gotta live with.

 

Yeah, I think I'm stuck with it...

 

okay i'm new to the lingo of car detailing but have been detailing my own car for almost 10 years. What is Etch?? sorry for the stupid question

 

It's when hard water( very hard water in my case ) causes the clearcoat to become something like swiss cheese...

My etching was nearly through the clear coat. Up close, looks like a bunch of little jagged holes on the surface of the car. From about 30 feet away, looks like really bad water spotting.

This is on an 03 CLS. I have the pleasure of living 2 miles from about 4 refineries...so, acid rain here is pretty nasty(to put it mildly).

At some point, I'm going to have to get the top 3 panels wet-sanded to remove the surface marks and buff the top of the side panels with a medium-cut compound(Top of the Line has one that I bought and worked great).

 

yeh, that's etched into the clearcoat. If you can't get it down with a smooth cutting agent with a wool pad, try a heavier cutting agent. The last thing to try is wetsanding. Let me know if you need any pointers.

-J-Tow