I had bought a my detailing set a few years ago, but since I've had access to a garage this winter, I'm finally polishing the swirls out before I release the car for the spring.

I'm using Edge 2000 pads and Poorboy's SSR1 and SSR2. I've tried out the PC once before, but this is the first time I'm really going at it and I'm finding it's harder to see what's going on with a white car vs. black.

I'm also still seeing some light swirl marks, though I feel like I've been going over and over the same spot forever. It shouldn't take me 2 hours just to do 1 door, should it?

Anyway, here's the before after shot comparing the untouched fender with the polished and waxed door.



And a shot of the car for good measure.



What do you guys think? Am I doing it right?

 

If it is that hard and you are still seeing swirls and stuff, you probably need to step up the pad and compound combination. I have never used Poorboys compounds, but I see many members like them, so I'm sure they are good. So you are probably using the wrong pad. What color is the pad you are using?

For reference, I start out using orange pads on a PC for moderate (normal) correction, even on Honda paint.

Other than that it seems you are doing great! Good taping, the blanket for the top, the fender signals poped out. Looks like you don't have excess stuff all over. Do you have a clear bra on the door?

 

I'm using the orange Edge pad with the SSR2.5 Medium Abrasive Swirl remover.

Now that I'm thinking about it again, I think some light swirls remained after using the SSR2.5 which was removed when I went to the Green pad with the SSR1 Light Abrasive. Is that correct, or should I have been able to get the swirls out with the Orange/2.5?

That's not actually a blanket for the top... it's the car cover. But now I'm thinking I should get a blanket No clearbra on the door... dunno why it looks like that.

Thanks for the suggestions. The door looks a hell of a lot better than it did before. I can't wait for the rest of the car to look like that.

Rob

 

I try to get all the swirls out before going to a finer polish. But you need to be able to see the difference between the swirls you are trying to get out and the ones you are creating. With a PC it should be easier (other members can add to this since I don't use a PC except for glazing) to see the difference. So basically use your toughest selection until you see only "holograms", then refine the holograms.

Still, 2 hours for a door is a bit too long. When you go to do the fender, try using the 2.5 for longer before switching to the SSR1. Don't worry about messing up the paint even with SSR2.5. The PC is very easy on the paint. And don't worry about going back and fourth between the 2.5 and the 1.

Today it took me a few tries going back and fourth to decide which was was best to attack the car, like an hour just doing one 2x2 section with various compound and pad combinations. Even after finding one I liked, I did something different just to try it, and went back to my favorite. I learned a lot today, but thats for another thread

Oh yeah, get a blanket! It will save you tons of headaches. I was doing a car today and I forgot to take my blankets for the windshields. I am still trying to decide how to get the splatter off the wipers and cowl (no hose connection = ONR only, no pressure washer to help clear crevices).