What am I doing wrong (buffing swirls) | FerrariChat

What am I doing wrong (buffing swirls)

Discussion in 'Detailing & Showroom' started by Meister, May 3, 2020.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    #1 Meister, May 3, 2020
    So I'm not new to detailing cars but most of my cars are single stage or old school laquer. I painted and installed a bumper on this Z06 so I'm buffing in out and the front fenders. Wet sand up to 2K grit then wool pad meguiars fine cut, then show car glaze (pure polish) and I have all these swirl marks. They mostly disappear with a top coat of wax, but I'm thinking they shouldn't be this bad in the first place. I used a small 4" wool pad because I had it on my machine to do the smaller areas of the front bumper, maybe the 6" would be better for the larger surfaces. Any thoughts? This is why I dislike cars with clear coats ;)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    5,662
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #2 flash32, May 3, 2020
    I am not an expert ..but it sounds like you missed a step

    Try a orange or white foam pad and a light cut m205 meguairs ..on an random orbit machine

    Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk
     
    LI2782, APA#1 and MobileJay like this.
  3. MobileJay

    MobileJay Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2006
    1,441
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Jason Cavallo
    #3 MobileJay, May 3, 2020
    You went from an aggressive pad and light compound (I think, not sure where fine cut is on the scale) and then went straight to a glaze. Glazes are full of fillers that hide the buffer trails as you have experienced. As mentioned above, grab some 205 a mild polishing pad and refine the paint.

    What machine are you using?

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    #4 Meister, May 3, 2020
    A variable speed makita 7" but at the time using a smaller 4" pad because I had it on and full of compound. The swirls are worse on the factory finished fenders. The bumper I base/cleared a month ago is not nearly as bad.
     
    MobileJay likes this.
  5. MobileJay

    MobileJay Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2006
    1,441
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Jason Cavallo
    #5 MobileJay, May 3, 2020
    Using a rotary is exceptionally difficult to finish down correctly and not leave holograms. Use a dual action orbital machine and a proper polish like 205 and a medium foam pad and you should be fine.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    flash32 likes this.
  6. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    #6 Meister, May 3, 2020
    I do have a smaller DA porter cable somewhere, just have to find it. Thanks
     
    MobileJay likes this.
  7. MobileJay

    MobileJay Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2006
    1,441
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Jason Cavallo
    #7 MobileJay, May 3, 2020
    Yeah the Porter cable should be able to get it done.

    Sure thing.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    steved033 likes this.
  8. JL350

    JL350 Karting

    Jan 20, 2013
    205
    #8 JL350, May 4, 2020
    Yup, I use a DA on clear coat with 2000 and 4000(?) 3M compound with the right pads, takes some time but minimises the risk of swirls that you are getting. The depth of shine is an added bonus.
     
  9. Kipper

    Kipper Karting

    May 1, 2010
    103
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Kipper
    #9 Kipper, May 4, 2020
    After painting allow the paint to cure for 3 weeks in good weather finish with 3000 wet paper and use a Rupes orbital polisher or similar
    use 4000 cutting compound then 2500 and go lower if you wish 2500 will give you an excellent finish.

    Rotary buffers/polishers are rubbish

    Kipper
     
  10. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida
    #10 APA#1, May 4, 2020
    Did mine, compound, polish, wax using a porter cable. Came out flawless. Almost don't need a buffer anymore. Picture is of my maser in the old garage.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Roadney likes this.
  11. bocaf430

    bocaf430 Formula 3

    Jun 10, 2014
    1,361
    LI, boca raton
    #11 bocaf430, May 4, 2020
    be sure your pad is not dry, use enough product.
     

Share This Page