MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

amorican · #1 07-08-2006, 04:44 PM

I am afraid I have FUBARed my paint now. I got a PC from Sonus along with SFX2 and a swirl buster pad...did it about a month ago. Swirls were just diminished, not removed, and I now see what I can only describe as a rather all encompasing "cloudy" finish in most areas, in fact, the contrasting spots that were spared for whatever reason really set it apart.

Did I doom my black finish for good? What DVD should I break down and buy so I can fix this mess and for once be happy with the finish of my black paint?

Please help ol' wise ones, and thanks.

TJM

bolus · #2 07-08-2006, 07:37 PM

Are you able to post some pics of the car? I really doubt you did anything that isn't fixable

I would recommend buying the paint polishing DVD in the NAM store. Great stuff on technique and likely the products he uses will work for you. Probably just need a different pad and polish to get those out that wont cause more problems.

http://store.northamericanmotoring.c...t=0&bestseller

I used the combination in the DVD (PC + meguiars M80 speed glaze + Meguiars w8006 polishing pad for the PC) and was able to get out swirls without causing any haze or scratches.

jwardell · #3 07-10-2006, 02:42 PM

It is possible you didn't polish long enough, you basically polish until the compound turns from white to almost clear once it breaks down. If you stop early it will leave a foggy residue and finish.

**OctaneGuy** · #4 07-10-2006, 11:17 PM

Yep, while the PC is a very easy tool to learn, you need to use it properly. This means, proper arm speed, proper pressure, choosing the right pad and chemical, not loading it up with too much or too little product, buffing long enough to get max performance from the chemical, etc..

Hazy finishes on the PC can be a result of using a too aggressive pad or chemical or both, or a large number of other variables. Help us reduce the variables by giving more info.

Richard

amorican · #5 07-16-2006, 09:16 AM

OctaneGuy,

I have SFX2, SFX2 pad, I ran the PC at about 4.5, making sure to blot the polish in the area I worked, then turning on before placing the pad on the car. I have even done a second "spot" test with slighty better but far less than desireable results. I seem to have made little progress in general with regard to swirls and I do not even want to think about clarity long enough to write about it for fear of becoming angry.

I ordered the "PC" DVD from the NAM store nearly two weeks ago and have yet to receive it. My patience is running thin for all I want is a finish I can be proud of.

As always, thanks.

**OctaneGuy** · #6 07-16-2006, 10:52 PM

Sorry about the DVD order. I am usually notified that there are open orders in the store, but somehow I didn't know--until Mark sent me an email. I will get the order processed tonight, and sent out tomorrow.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by amorican

OctaneGuy,

I have SFX2, SFX2 pad, I ran the PC at about 4.5, making sure to blot the polish in the area I worked, then turning on before placing the pad on the car. I have even done a second "spot" test with slighty better but far less than desireable results. I seem to have made little progress in general with regard to swirls and I do not even want to think about clarity long enough to write about it for fear of becoming angry.

I ordered the "PC" DVD from the NAM store nearly two weeks ago and have yet to receive it. My patience is running thin for all I want is a finish I can be proud of.

As always, thanks.

AZMCS · #7 07-16-2006, 11:37 PM

Richard,
Did you ever get your wheel issue figured out?

What's the word on VacuCams?

**OctaneGuy** · #8 07-16-2006, 11:58 PM

re: Wheel
Yes, I just got new lug bolts and they threaded on fine--a little tight as expected, but fine.

re: VacuCams
Will PM you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfunkmd

Richard,
Did you ever get your wheel issue figured out?

What's the word on VacuCams?

kenchan · #9 07-16-2006, 04:37 PM

hummm... ive yet to create my own clouds with my Griot's orbital kit
i bought with their polishes and pads. used Polish2 and Polish3 during
my recent first attempt at using orbitals and have good results.

I believe the manufacturer of these orbitals are the same. i started at
speed 4, but used 5 for polishing as soon as i got a 'feel' for the orbital.
i buttered up the polish onto the pad, place the orbital on the car, then
turned it on. after polishing a 2x2' area going in a Griot's recommended
pattern, i turned off the orbital and toweled off the polish. repeated
several times until the swirls were minimized to my satisfaction. all the
how to was in the DVD that came with the kit for newbs.

My car came with deep swirls from the dealer which i don't think will
be able to completely remove unless i make the clearcoat super thin...
so not going to attempt cutting too deep and just use wax to hide it.

the swirls are barely visible in the sun and under my garage lamps which
is good enough for me. ive stopped buying floor models since...

AZMCS · #10 07-16-2006, 04:57 PM

Buy a bottle of SFX-3 and test spot this on the car. You need to work to the finest "cut" of all the polishes. SFX-2 is a medium polishing compound. I always follow it with SFX-3 or the Sonus paint cleanse.

Big thing is to do a test spot just like it details in the video.

Let us know if you need more help. I use the Sonus stuff all the time on my MINI, VW's, and even bimmers and Benz's (the last two aren't really mine, but friends)

**OctaneGuy** · #11 07-16-2006, 11:57 PM

This is a common misconception about the PC. The tool isn't aggressive enough to cause concern about thinning of the clearcoat. Even when used every day. Take a rotary buffer to your paint and that's a different story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

My car came with deep swirls from the dealer which i don't think will be able to completely remove unless i make the clearcoat super thin...
so not going to attempt cutting too deep and just use wax to hide it.

the swirls are barely visible in the sun and under my garage lamps which
is good enough for me. ive stopped buying floor models since...

kenchan · #12 07-19-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

This is a common misconception about the PC. The tool isn't aggressive enough to cause concern about thinning of the clearcoat. Even when used every day. Take a rotary buffer to your paint and that's a different story.

thanks, OG. im redoing my car.

i was able to take out most if not
all of the swirls that was on my quarter panel last night.

gonna try to finish the remaining panels tonight. im really getting a
feel for the orbital.