So with the help of many of you I detailed my CL about 3 months ago using a PC, white pad w/Optimum PS and green pad w/Natty's Blue. The car turned out great but I didn't get rid of many of the swirls. This time around I want to make sure to do it right, without spending too much more money.

I was thinking of a few scenarios:
1) Use the PS with a harsher pad like an orange
2) Use a harsher product like Optimum Compound or Polish but with the same pads I already have.
3) A combination of both 1&2

Suggestions/comments?

 

Check out the vidoes at the bottom on this page:

http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polisher.html

Hope it helps.

 

Sundevil, the Optimum Polish is a very mild polish, even with a White pad. The White pad is for very light polishing, and it sounds like thats what you got. It will remedy most light swirls and marring. But every now and then, you just need to hit it with something containing a little more umph....The Orange pad would be the next level of succession.
Optimum Compound in conjunction with an Orange pad would more then likely be your ticket to get that surface back to a nearly swirl free finish. And by swirl free, I mean 95%. Not knowing your specific technique used, I would hesitate to say complete removal.
Thats the beauty of proper car care, you do it until its done right, with the least evasive methods. And the rewards are more then worth the effort....

 

Excel-

With the Optimum, how long do I need to work in the product with the PC? Last time it seemed like the work-in time was a lot shorter than was supposed to be (about 30-45 seconds). Does this sound right or was I not giving it enough time?

 

That doesnt sound like nearly enough time. I would recommend a minimum of 3 passes. Pass 1 to disperse the product evenly (3-4). Pass two begins the initial breakdown (4). Pass 3 crank it up to 5-6, and slow arm movement (about 2 ft in 10 seconds), overlap a minimum of 1/2 pad. An additional pass opposite direction as pass 3 is ok also. I usually start with a left/right for dispersing pass, up/down for initial breakdown, then finish up left/right on 6 for final breakdown.
And with the Orange it will take a few passes to get that pad warmed up and broke in. Its starts out kind of stiff, but softens up beautifully.....

 

Sundevil, all I can say is "Watch out for 'sling' at level 6".


I found polish inside my sleeping bag in a stuff sack on a shelf in my garage!


Now that we have established I am PC-retarded, post some pics when you are done!

 

LMFAO..........So you sleep with your PC eh? And are you sure you werent makin love to that sleepin bag???

 

Ooooh. I may just have to knock a point off your "Reputation" for that one.... J/K