Unrealistic Expectation? Or not doing it right?

[mitch_04]

I'm finishing up a door for our shop pickup. Blocked it down to 2000 grit by hand, wetsanding. Buffed it up with Wizards Mystic Cut and their microfiber DA pad. Probably went at it 2-3 times until I felt like I had it as nice as I could get it. Then I moved on to their orange foam pad, and just couldn't seem to get all of the swirls out.

I started with Mystic Cut since you are supposed to be able to polish with it as well, but after not being happy with it I went to their finish cut, still had similar results. I tried multiple speeds, pressure, and just kept ending with the same result.

Afterwards, I went with their breathable sealant, which says it fixes minor scratches so I'm assuming it may have some fillers in it. It got a bit better, but I can still see super fine scratches.

They are only visible with an flashlight and no shop lights on, outside you can't tell. Is it unrealistic to get these out, or am I doing something wrong?

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[Chris_Hamilton]

Try either Menzerna's Nano Polish or 3M Perfect It Ultrafina. Use it with the 3M ultrafine foam pad or the equivalent of. If done right it removes all swirls marks like you are referring to.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

x2 for Menzerna

 

[AAE]

What clear and how long ago was it painted?

 

[Jim C]

ultrafina is made for that stuff right there. scratches so fine they only make holograms on dark colors. it will remove those.

 

[mitch_04]

What clear and how long ago was it painted?

It is a week old, UV clear.

I'll have to see if I have some ultrafina or not. I've been meaning to try some other polishes, but this is just a shop pickup door and not a huge deal.

 

[crashtech]

Are you guys talking about the Ultrafine 3M stuff that is "#3" in their system? I use the EX version and it works really well for dark colors. We were having a few complaints about our previous system from the local OCD detail shop owner, but switching to the #3 with it's associated fine blue foam pad has resulted in very nice looking final finishes, like you can't tell they were hit with a polisher at all.

 

[MikeS]

Are you buffing even when the compound is dry? I use Mystic Cut with TCP buffing pads (red, blue & black) and I don't see those marks in the final results. When I buff and start to see the compound begin to take on a haze look, I stop and either add more product to the pad or wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. I've had marks like those left behind if I continue to buff when the compound on the panel is dried. I'll also use less pressure as I go to a finer pad. With the black pad for final polish I'll use Mystic Glaze and light pressure at approximately 1800 RPM.

 

[mitch_04]

I don't believe the compound is drying, but I'll pay more attention next time. I have another door to do identical to this. I use my DA polisher and went as low speed as possible on the finish pass.

Honestly, you'd never know if you just saw the door. I found out this "trick" on the tailgate. The day I put it on the pickup, took pics and all that, but it was supposed to hail so I parked it inside. Shut off all the lights, but had to see it again so I just flipped my phone out and used the flashlight. BAM, these sorts of scratches everywhere. Crazy...

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Are you guys talking about the Ultrafine 3M stuff that is "#3" in their system? I use the EX version and it works really well for dark colors. We were having a few complaints about our previous system from the local OCD detail shop owner, but switching to the #3 with it's associated fine blue foam pad has resulted in very nice looking final finishes, like you can't tell they were hit with a polisher at all.

Yes that's the stuff Crash. Stays kinda oily when you use it. Ultrafina is what I think it's called. Use it with the blue 3M foam pad. Like you said it works really well on dark colors. Gets all the swirl marks out when used correctly.

Mitch that's normal. Ultrafine swirl marks, That's what Ultrafina was designed to do. Nano Polish will remove them as well but I think the 3M stuff works better.

 

[mitch_04]

Ok, one more follow up...

I've read a lot of bad about 3m using fillers. Is that what Ultrafina is doing, just filling the scratches? Or is it actually just a superfine polish?

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

I used the Lake Country CCS black pad with Menzerna to get those fine scratches out.
The nano polishes stay wet and you can work them for quite some time if necessary to remove swirl marks.
Here's a before and after:

 

[mitch_04]

That looks great!

I'm still a novice at polishing, that's for sure. I have gone over certain areas 3 or more times with each stage, checking each time to see if it's getting better or if I've maxed that "stage" out. I tried Wizards Nano Wax and their Sealant as well, each claims to do the same thing but one is recommended to be hand applied, the other can be DA'ed. Seemed like the sealant did a slightly better job, but maybe my finest (gray) pad isn't fine enough.

One of these days I plan on ordering a pile of new polishing pads and compounds, but for now it's easy and cheap (we get it at cost) to use whatever Wizard & 3M make... although even at cost, 3M isn't cheap!

 

[AAE]

Ok, one more follow up...

I've read a lot of bad about 3m using fillers. Is that what Ultrafina is doing, just filling the scratches? Or is it actually just a superfine polish?

I always use alcohol or the 700 during and between steps to check progress.

 

[crashtech]

One thing that has helped me is not to rush the last step. These final polishes do have some abrasive in them but it is obviously extremely fine, and takes some time for them to do any work at all. That's why I like the EX #6068, it stays wet long enough to work the fine scratches out, usually without re-applying. Even though it might be hard to see anything going on, it's good to spend around the same time with the buffer on each polishing stage.