Porkipine

iTrader: (1)

So I tried Meguiar Medium-Cut Cleaner on the car. Didn't help at all. I tried doing it twice and no luck. It seems like the paint is really hard. I'm considering using Compound Power Cleaner or Diamond Cut Compound first and then use the Medium-Cut Cleaner over that. Would that help?
Should I try zaino z-5 and z-2?
Are there any alternatives?
Thanks.

exceldetail

Help me with the color, Im not use to Acuras acronyms....is it pearl white? Compound and diamond cut are pretty serious polishes, lets talk technique a little here first!
Run us through the scenario.......
Where in LA are you? I'll be in Granada Hills doing a Porsche today if you'd like to come by? I could give you some pointers?

Porkipine

iTrader: (1)

I have work today so I can't but if I was free, I would definitly drop by (25 miles drive will be worth it).
I have a black car (nighthawk black).
btw, i'm in downtown Los angeles.

Hawhyen51

By hand or PC? And if PC, what kind of pad? Actually, Acura's paint isn't that hard. Z-5 isn't abrasive and is a filler so you won't actually be removing swirls.

joerockt

What are you using to apply?

Porkipine

iTrader: (1)

PC. I would give up after doing the hood if i was going to do it by hand I'm not sure what pad I am using. I'm actually borrowing my roomie's stuff.

joerockt

Pads, speed setting and amount of time you spend on one section makes all the difference. Hope your not just doing one or two quick passes.

Porkipine

iTrader: (1)

My roommate had the pads and speed setting set to his instructions. I definitly didn't do it quick. I'd say I spend about three hours plus doin the whole car (I felt like my fat go shaken into million pieces after like the first 15 minutes).
He has a lexus and he does the same thing (# of passes, speed, pressure) and it helps just a little but still you can see the swirl under the sun. It might be the pad (need one that's more firm?). We think that it may be that my paint is harder than lexus's paint so I should get a more rough cleaner.
The car is nice and shiny at night thou

joerockt

No way its the paint. Honda paint is soft. You wanna see hard paint, check out a BMW.

Definitely find out what pad type your using. If its blue or grey its probably too soft. You probably want an orange pad. Make sure your moving the PC at about 1 inch per second. Do a small section first and pass over it as many times as it takes to get the results you want. That will give you a good gage as to what to do with the rest of the car...

A propel yellow might do the trick:
http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/s...29307&pd=97901

Hawhyen51

My thinking is the same as Joe - gotta be the pad. A finishing pad has no cut and you'll probably need one of these (LC pad colors) pads: white (light polishing), orange (light cut) or yellow (med. cut). I would stay away from the compounds (you're asking for trouble and may do more harm than good) and use diminishing abrasive polishes.

Porkipine

iTrader: (1)

Joe, the pad I used looks exatly like that (yellowish orange). Maybe I should pick up a new one? Also I read somewhere that the 3M 3000 swirl mark remover works really well. Do you guys think I should give that a try? Thanks.

joerockt

I would just get a new pad first.

Porkipine

iTrader: (1)

I checked the bottle, it is actually meguiar speed glaze 80. Will this be sufficient?

SweetJazz

#80 is really good for light swirls only. I would step up to #83 if the swirls are more moderate. Make absolutely sure that you use a polishing pad and not a heavy cutting pad. You may make more work for yourself if your pad is too stiff. It may take a couple of applications to correct the paint. I'd rather use two applications and get it right.

On the other hand, a finishing pad with #80 will do nothing other than to work the polishing oils in the paint. Different manufacturers use different color pads to differentiate their cutting ability. This is why I stick with one manufacturer's pads so that I do not make a mistake.

Looking good at night does not cut it in my opinion. I have seen too many dark colored cars look very shiny in the shade or at night but once some light gets on the paint....YUCK Check out some of the pics by Exceldetail and use them at a template for how your car should look under the sun. Capturing a sun reflection pic is proof positive that you properly detailed your car.