I had some swirl marks on my 2003 VW's hood so I tried fixing that using Meguiars swirl mark remover with an orbital polisher/microfiber bonnets. It made the swirls much worse. The bonnets were clean. The polisher's business end has stiff foam. Why did this go so wrong? How do I fix it?
Swirl mark remover w/ orbital polisher...bad
- Thread starter JAG
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Jag,
try it again by hand, swirl x worked real well on my red Saab.
try it again by hand, swirl x worked real well on my red Saab.
Originally Posted By: JAG
I had some swirl marks on my 2003 VW's hood so I tried fixing that using Meguiars swirl mark remover with an orbital polisher/microfiber bonnets. It made the swirls much worse. The bonnets were clean. The polisher's business end has stiff foam. Why did this go so wrong How do I fix it?
I am guessing the bonnet did not break down the polish. What Meg's product did you use and what kind of polisher do you have?
I had some swirl marks on my 2003 VW's hood so I tried fixing that using Meguiars swirl mark remover with an orbital polisher/microfiber bonnets. It made the swirls much worse. The bonnets were clean. The polisher's business end has stiff foam. Why did this go so wrong How do I fix it?
I am guessing the bonnet did not break down the polish. What Meg's product did you use and what kind of polisher do you have?
Originally Posted By: pcfxer
Don't use a bonnet. Use a POLISHING pad. These pads are specifically designed for this usage/purpose.
PM me if you have further questions. You are also entitled to use Meguiar's online.
Agreed. The pads come in varying levels of abrasiveness (color coded) as do polishes. You need to do a trial section to see which combination works best. Which swirl mark remover? Meguiar's makes many products for that purpose. Their Ultimate Compound is among the best for use with a PC but not with a bonnet!
Don't use a bonnet. Use a POLISHING pad. These pads are specifically designed for this usage/purpose.
PM me if you have further questions. You are also entitled to use Meguiar's online.
Agreed. The pads come in varying levels of abrasiveness (color coded) as do polishes. You need to do a trial section to see which combination works best. Which swirl mark remover? Meguiar's makes many products for that purpose. Their Ultimate Compound is among the best for use with a PC but not with a bonnet!
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The Meg's is Ultimate Compound. I also used 3M Swirl Mark Remover with similar effect. The polisher is an old 9" Black & Decker that I got for free from my father-in-law. The bonnets were from a chain auto parts store (cheap).
So what I'm hearing is I definitely need proper pads. The polisher's foam is just a 9" diam. circle with no velcro. Can pads be attached somehow? I haven't bought a new and good polisher due to cost. Thanks everyone for your help.
So what I'm hearing is I definitely need proper pads. The polisher's foam is just a 9" diam. circle with no velcro. Can pads be attached somehow? I haven't bought a new and good polisher due to cost. Thanks everyone for your help.
JHZR2
Staff member
Yeah, the right foam pad is key. Also, a true orbital, versus a random orbital, takes a LOT of practice, and can do damage quick.
Bad stitching or hard fibers on a cheap bonnet can surely do damage too...
I'd leave it to a pro now if I were you... A pro will take a few different cuts of compound, before using a polish then a protective coating. Each step may use a different cut and firmness of pad. Lots to it. Better safe than sorry...
Good luck!
Bad stitching or hard fibers on a cheap bonnet can surely do damage too...
I'd leave it to a pro now if I were you... A pro will take a few different cuts of compound, before using a polish then a protective coating. Each step may use a different cut and firmness of pad. Lots to it. Better safe than sorry...
Good luck!
Originally Posted By: JAG
The Meg's is Ultimate Compound. I also used 3M Swirl Mark Remover with similar effect. The polisher is an old 9" Black & Decker that I got for free from my father-in-law. The bonnets were from a chain auto parts store (cheap).
So what I'm hearing is I definitely need proper pads. The polisher's foam is just a 9" diam. circle with no velcro. Can pads be attached somehow? I haven't bought a new and good polisher due to cost. Thanks everyone for your help.
The problem is the "polisher" because it really isn't one. Detailers call them "wax spreaders". It is simply the wrong tool for the job and is not capable of removing marring/swirls. Using a bonnet worsened things. There are no pads for that type of machine. You are better off using the Ultimate Compound by hand. Ideally a random orbital machine designed to do the job (there are several to choose from) would be the safe answer.
You can do one of three things the way I see it.......attempt the work by hand, buy the proper equipment (and learn to use it), or pay a pro to bring the finish back. The last two choices would be similar in expense. Having your own equipment and knowing how to use it is priceless in the long run.
Give that old polisher to someone you don't like.
The Meg's is Ultimate Compound. I also used 3M Swirl Mark Remover with similar effect. The polisher is an old 9" Black & Decker that I got for free from my father-in-law. The bonnets were from a chain auto parts store (cheap).
So what I'm hearing is I definitely need proper pads. The polisher's foam is just a 9" diam. circle with no velcro. Can pads be attached somehow? I haven't bought a new and good polisher due to cost. Thanks everyone for your help.
The problem is the "polisher" because it really isn't one. Detailers call them "wax spreaders". It is simply the wrong tool for the job and is not capable of removing marring/swirls. Using a bonnet worsened things. There are no pads for that type of machine. You are better off using the Ultimate Compound by hand. Ideally a random orbital machine designed to do the job (there are several to choose from) would be the safe answer.
You can do one of three things the way I see it.......attempt the work by hand, buy the proper equipment (and learn to use it), or pay a pro to bring the finish back. The last two choices would be similar in expense. Having your own equipment and knowing how to use it is priceless in the long run.
Give that old polisher to someone you don't like.
Ok, got it, lesson learned from my mistakes! Thanks all.
The problem is not the polisher. Yes it does work best as a simple wax spreader. More importantly then anything is the knowledge to use the products correctly. I can do more then most of the online detailers would believe with a "wax spreader". Granted it will take me probably twice as long, but it can be done.
I cut my teeth on rotary buffers. These new orbitals make every Larry, Moe and Curly a professional with a polisher or so they think. You can do things with a rotary you would not believe. From rolling paint (good for removing deep scrathes) to ripping off trim and burning the [censored] out of some paint.
I cut my teeth on rotary buffers. These new orbitals make every Larry, Moe and Curly a professional with a polisher or so they think. You can do things with a rotary you would not believe. From rolling paint (good for removing deep scrathes) to ripping off trim and burning the [censored] out of some paint.
Thats strange. was the surface squeeky clean?
Ive had GREAT luck with Meguiars fine cut cleaner for swirls. I find the swirl remover is really only for very minor swirls and imperfections.
The meguiars stuff is supposed to have diminishing abrasives, so it eliminates the need for multiple compounds.
Ive had GREAT luck with Meguiars fine cut cleaner for swirls. I find the swirl remover is really only for very minor swirls and imperfections.
The meguiars stuff is supposed to have diminishing abrasives, so it eliminates the need for multiple compounds.
It think it was squeaky clean. This problem was not the fault of the polishes. I just did a good job of screwing this job up.
Today I applied Meguiars Ultimate Compound by hand and it made a big improvement in the haze that existed. I think when I used the polisher before I over-heated the clear coat, making it hazy. I'm probably going to need to do at least a couple more "by-hand" applications of Ultimate Compound for it to totally get rid of the haze. I
After that, should I use I finer abrasive to finish this process? I have some Eagle One Nanowax that claims to have fine abrasives in it. It is one of the better OTC products I've used but that's from a water-beading and longevity perspective.
After that, should I use I finer abrasive to finish this process? I have some Eagle One Nanowax that claims to have fine abrasives in it. It is one of the better OTC products I've used but that's from a water-beading and longevity perspective.
Any polish would work after Ultimate Compound, although in some cases, you could get by without applying any polish and jump right in to wax. If you want it to be done by the book, use Meguair's Swirl-X after UC.
Honestly, after having purchased hundreds of waxes and polishes, I am quite happy with UC followed by good quality wax/sealant. I am sure the Eagle One Nanowax would work great for you.
- Vikas
Honestly, after having purchased hundreds of waxes and polishes, I am quite happy with UC followed by good quality wax/sealant. I am sure the Eagle One Nanowax would work great for you.
- Vikas
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