scratches and swirls
#1
04-10-2009, 06:36 PM
#5
04-10-2009, 07:02 PM
Road Master
+1 what Leohd said. I have had a porter cable orbital electric 5" polisher for years, its the best polisher I have ever owned. I have black trucks, black bass boat, black harley and wifes sport utility is burgandy. I use meguires cleaners, polishes and waxes by the drum.
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04-10-2009, 07:11 PM
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#9
04-10-2009, 07:20 PM
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I've VERY particular about swirls and fine scratches....typically makes me crazy and I've struggled with all kinds of products.
First thing to remember, don't be cheap when you're dealing with HD vivid black. It's so easily scratched and swirled. Don't use a cleaner wax...ever. It'll make things worse if you're not careful.
What works for me and my overly picky self, is this...ensure you have "always" new microfiber clothes when polishing or drying off after it's washed. After you've cleaned it and dried it, get a new wax pad and dampen it..not soaked but ensure it's damp. I usually soak it good then wring it out really well. Then apply Meguires yellow number 26 Carnuba on a section. Don't apply it in circular motions..that's a detailer 101 thing they'll tell you. Instead go back and forth with minimum pressure. Also ensure you don't put too much on the applicator. Since it's damp it'll spread more even and be removed better. Light coating is all it takes.
The carnuba has specific polymers in it that actually fill in the swirls, When you buff it out with your new never used micro towel, you'll notice the swirls and fine scratches are gone. They're actually not gone but filled in with the carnuba polymers. After a few washes you may see them re-occur, but all you have to do is follow this technique, and use a very good carnuba, with NO cleaner in it.
It's that simple. I've had dark cars that over time had swirls and fine scrathes and I finally hooked up with a professional detailer who uses all kinds of polishes and canubas. He also used a high speed buffer, but you have to be very skilled to make those work well.
This is my 3rd vivid black and now after all this time, I got it figured out. When I ride in the sun I don't see those swirls anymore in the tank or the fairing.
Try it and see how you do. Be sure to wax it in the shade then roll it into the sun and you'll see the difference it makes.
Good luck...holler back and let us know how it turns out.
First thing to remember, don't be cheap when you're dealing with HD vivid black. It's so easily scratched and swirled. Don't use a cleaner wax...ever. It'll make things worse if you're not careful.
What works for me and my overly picky self, is this...ensure you have "always" new microfiber clothes when polishing or drying off after it's washed. After you've cleaned it and dried it, get a new wax pad and dampen it..not soaked but ensure it's damp. I usually soak it good then wring it out really well. Then apply Meguires yellow number 26 Carnuba on a section. Don't apply it in circular motions..that's a detailer 101 thing they'll tell you. Instead go back and forth with minimum pressure. Also ensure you don't put too much on the applicator. Since it's damp it'll spread more even and be removed better. Light coating is all it takes.
The carnuba has specific polymers in it that actually fill in the swirls, When you buff it out with your new never used micro towel, you'll notice the swirls and fine scratches are gone. They're actually not gone but filled in with the carnuba polymers. After a few washes you may see them re-occur, but all you have to do is follow this technique, and use a very good carnuba, with NO cleaner in it.
It's that simple. I've had dark cars that over time had swirls and fine scrathes and I finally hooked up with a professional detailer who uses all kinds of polishes and canubas. He also used a high speed buffer, but you have to be very skilled to make those work well.
This is my 3rd vivid black and now after all this time, I got it figured out. When I ride in the sun I don't see those swirls anymore in the tank or the fairing.
Try it and see how you do. Be sure to wax it in the shade then roll it into the sun and you'll see the difference it makes.
Good luck...holler back and let us know how it turns out.
