What to use after #80 for a better finish

[74 thing]

This is what I have done:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. #83 with G100 and yellow pad
4. #80 with G100 and yellow pad

..this removed almost all of my swirls, however I think the surface could be better-ie flatter and glossier (the best way to describe it is when I look into the paint I can see a texture like that of the foam pad-no swirls though).

For now what I did was had apply #7 and then wax. Don't get me wrong it looks good but is there something else I can apply with the G100 or rotary to make it even better before waxing or sealing.

Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Hi 74 thing,

If what your seeing is a irregularity in surface smoothness, (or lack thereof), such as orange peel, by the way its possible to have an orange peel texture to your car's paint and have it be swirl-free, then there are a couple of things, (no pun intended), you can do. Both of these require a high degree of skill with experience for the tools you would use and a first-hand knowledge and comfort level with the amount of paint, or working film-build you have to, well... work with...

* Wet sand and then compound the finish
* Aggressive compounding of the finish

Of the two, wet sanding the finish flat and then removing your sanding marks will net the best results. Compound the finish will work to some degree and to the degree it will work will depend upon how hard the paint is and how aggressive your compound is.

VW Things have a lot of body lines to them, this doesn't lend themselves well to wet sanding and compounding as you have a lot of high points or raised body lines to deal with.

[74 thing]

Hi Mike,

No, I am not talking about the orange peel-just looking for a recommendation on what you would use with a G100 or rotary prior to applying the sealer or wax to obtain an even better finish. Thanks.

[Murr1525]

You could apply #81 with the DA... may give a different look.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by 74 thing
Hi Mike,

No, I am not talking about the orange peel-just looking for a recommendation on what you would use with a G100 or rotary prior to applying the sealer or wax to obtain an even better finish. Thanks.

Okay, now I understand better, previously I think I was typing faster than I think!


From your first post,

Originally posted by 74 thing
For now what I did was hand apply #7 and then wax. Don't get me wrong it looks good but is there something else I can apply with the G100 or rotary to make it even better before waxing or sealing.

Thanks

Yes.

#7 is a non-abrasive pure polish and I don't know what you used for a wax but it even if it's ColorX, we should be able to bring up the condition of the finish a little higher using the dual action polisher.

Again, because the VW Thing has a lot of body lines,



if this is a single stage finish, then you have to be very careful when machine cleaning and polishing as you could very easily burn through the high points.

About the most aggressive I would go if this is an older single stage finish is our M80 Speed Glaze using a W-8006 foam pad on about the 4.0 setting. Two words...

Buff gentle


If you want to be on the safe side, again assuming this is an older single stage finish, then rub this paint out using some ScratchX by hand, and then follow this with the #7 and your choice of wax.

Now how about a picture of your VW Thing?