Frustrated with my results

[nicepackage]

Hey guys need some help here plz, I own a black lr3 landrover that iam trying I remove the swirls marks from but not achieving the show care finish that I would like. Using a DA ,have mikes detailing video know about arm speed, pressure, pad selection and such but still not getting the results other seem to get here! Now tonight I have these marks after using the DA on the hood that look like rotary marks or streaks and can't get them out. Sorry no pics at the moment. Started with 80, then 83, swirl x, then the compound to remove swirls and left with these streaks. I am frustrated how can I correct this, what did I do in the first place, car was washed, 2 buckets, clayed all the right steps but not getting the results I know I can get, I am missing a piece of the puzzle . Is lr3 landrover paint soft or hard, did I go to aggressive or not enough, ahhhhhh, some detailing God plz come to my aid, thx for your time. Ps not holograms , more a streak look.

[davey g-force]

Re: Frustrated with my results

Streaking is a bit weird with a compound.

Did you remove the compound properly? How much did you apply? You didn't let it dry did you?

Only thing I can think of is like removes like. So lightly go over it again with the compound and remove straight away while still wet. See if that works for you..

*EDIT* Have you tried buffing the streaks off with a QD?

[wifpd4]

Re: Frustrated with my results

Polishing paint is like sanding wood. Start with a course grit or Ultimate Compound. Next something finer, like Ultimate Polish and next put on some wax. A test spot is always best to work on first, before doing the entire car. "Dial in the process" as the pros say.

You mention rotary marks or streaks. Rotary marks may mean your clear coat is delicate and your process is too harsh and you're leaving micro-marring. Micro-marring is small swirls that dull the look of the clear coat. Using a fine, less aggressive product and a softer pad with light arm pressure will help eliminate that. As Davey said, the streaks may be left over compound and "like removes like". Gently apply some compound to wipe off the compound you may have missed before.

Remember too, microfibers can mar the finish of delicate clear coat. There's a discussion of delicate paint somewhere around here called "The Challenge of Delicate Paint". Too early in the morning for me to look it up and give you the link.....

[Detailing by M]

Re: Frustrated with my results

AAAAAAAAAA LAND ROVER!!!
I just did one the other day and it broke me!
It was hammered and it took me 6 hrs just to do the hood!
I canceled the job and didn't charge my customer.
I went through 6-9 different combos to figure out this paint.
I finally went with A Lake Country Yellow cutting pad, M105 on my Flex and worked each 1'x1' area for an hr or so.
So I'd say you can do it but it's going to take you all week to get it done.

Well that's my LR story now on to yours
"Buffer marks" are usually caused by a rotary and fast arm speed.
I'd say slow down a bit, use less product. Also you might have the wrong products. Get some Ultimate Compound or M105 if you can find it.
Use a Yellow Pad, very little product and slow motions.
And remember Detailing is an art form and it will take you some time to figure out what your paint needs exactly. I went through alot of different products and hardware to figure out my LR.


Here are the pics from my nightmare:

[davey g-force]

Re: Frustrated with my results

^^ Sure does look like a nightmare!

I assume the first two shots are befores and the last one is after? Why do you think it was so challenging? Hard paint?

[Mike Calloway]

Re: Frustrated with my results

It looks like that black LR could have benefited from wet sanding. Would have likely cut down on the compound/polishing time as well. From the looks of it atleast.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Frustrated with my results

^^ Sure does look like a nightmare!

I assume the first two shots are befores and the last one is after? Why do you think it was so challenging? Hard paint?

I was challenging because it was hard to correct.
An hour or so on a 2' x 2' spot.
incredibly hard paint.

It looks like that black LR could have benefited from wet sanding. Would have likely cut down on the compound/polishing time as well. From the looks of it atleast.

Wet sanding wouldn't have done much more but I could be wrong.
I wasn't getting paid for that so I didn't do it but maybe that would have helped.
I got out the scratches with no problem it was getting the shine to come out that was driving me crazy.
I usually recommend wet sanding but in this case I didn't. It looked correctable but I was tough.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Frustrated with my results

OK guys, let's try to stay on point here and help out the original poster with his issue. He's working on a different vehicle than Mario did (although we do have some thoughts on what might have helped with Mario's nightmare). That means, of course, that the paint nicepackage is dealing with isn't necessarily the same as that on the LR Mario had to walk away from.

So.....nicepackage, can you take some pictures of the issue you're describing? Are you making any headway at all with the original defects? How long have you owned this particular vehicle? Is this your first attempt at polishing paint with a DA?

[Mike Calloway]

Re: Frustrated with my results

Mario: I trust your judgement bro. You did a great job!

Mike and OP: I wish I knew if the LR3 had hard or soft paint. An black HSE I worked on a few weeks ago had soft paint so I'm guessing it may be soft. Pics would be great. Did you do an IPA wipedown after?