Help: First time w/ PC + Poorboy's

[palomino]

This is my first time using a PC, and I'm not quite seeing the results I was expecting. The car is a rough, unloved 97 geo metro. It's my test guinea pig before I do my bimmer. I washed & clayed, of course. I went over the car once with Poorboys SSR 2.5 on the orange pad at speed 2.5, then again at speed 4.5. Wiped off with a clean towel. Followed that with SSR 1 on a white pad at the same speeds. I will be going out shortly to do a round of EX-P and Natty's. The paint is really smooth, glossy, and most people would say its a 100% improvement, like-new. But alas, I happen to be a nutcase and I noticed that my reflection in the paint is not a clear line, but a touch hazy looking.

Do you think the car just needed something stronger than the SSR 2.5 to begin with? Maybe I should have done another round with either of the polishes? Will I get clear reflections after the EX-P or Natty's (i dont think so)?

Thanks in advance!

[Way2SSlow]

Has the vehicle ever been repainted? It may just be the best that you can get out of the paint. If it's a 97 and hasnt been cared for, that means that finish has been taking abuse for 8 years, and could just be showing it's age. I dont think you can get geo paint to the level of a bimmer's paint though. If it's 100% improvement, and you're definitely doing everything right...I'd just accept the fact that it's 8 years old, and it looks the best that it can.

Just to make sure you are doing everything right, can you give a detailed description of your processes. How long are you working the polish etc, etc.

HTH

[awd330]

SSR2.5 needs a high PC speed to properly break down the abrasives. Try it again with a light cut pad (orange color for Lake Country brand pads, green color for Edge brand pads) around speed 5.5-6. You may also need to follow-up with a polishing pad (LC white or Edge blue) at the same speed if the surface is truly neglected.

SSR1 works best around PC speed 4.5. Use a polishing pad if there is some surface correction still needed. Use a finishing pad if your main goal is less surface correction but more gloss enhancement (the "looks" of a glaze).

[GregCavi]

yeah it definatly sounds like there is some hazing. Just go over it with 2.5 and a polishing pad and then again with ssr1 like mentioned above. You may have to take several passes to get the hazing to be removed. hazing is very tricky and annoying to get rid of. Let us know how it works out.

Greg

[J.J.]

When using the PC and SSR 2.5 on a cutting pad, one should always follow with SSR 2.5 and a polishing pad. This was mentioned above but it is worthy of repeat, so the final process should look something like this:
1. 2.5 w/ cutting pad
2. 2.5 w/ polishing pad
3. 1 w/ polishing pad
4. EX-P w/ finishing pad
5. Natty's by hand

JJ

[palomino]

I just finished off the metro with the EX-P and Natty's without another round of SSR2.5. Thanks for telling me to use higher speeds with the SSR2.5 Ill be sure to do that on my bimmer, even if it makes my arms feel like they will fall off. The things you do for love, right?

Is Natty's Blue really that much better on a dark car than original Natty's? Also, do you PC all the painted parts (rocker panels, air dams, etc) or just the larger, upper ones? Do you tape off rubber/plastic moldings or is there a secret potion/magic spell to get the polish off these parts?

Anyways, doing my beloved 328, Ill be sure to spend more time going over & over each panel. Does this seem like a better regimen for my car? The treatment will be:
-SSR2.5 on Wolfgang's "Orange Light Cutting Pad"
-SSR2.5 on the "White Polishing Pad"
-SSR1 on the "White Polishing Pad"
-EX-P on the "Gray Finishing Pad"
-Natty's by hand

You guys are my favorites. I love how knowledgable you all are.
Thanks a ton!

[TooTall]

So, should I use the SSR1 with a finishing pad like awd330 mentioned above?

[bsdsys_x86]

Originally Posted by awd330

Use a finishing pad if your main goal is less surface correction but more gloss enhancement (the "looks" of a glaze).

Just as awd330 says, use SSR1 with a finishing pad after using SSR1 with a polishing pad to add to the gloss. It should act like a glaze. This will not remove any surface defects. It just adds to the look. HTH's


Bryan

[hemin8r]

Should the EX-P be applied before Natty's or can it go on after??

[The Chee]

Originally Posted by hemin8r

Should the EX-P be applied before Natty's or can it go on after??

EX-P then Natty