Correct pads to use

[Presidio]

Hi All,

I have the 3M hookit pad and would like to polish/wax my motorhome. The problem I have is that the color is black and when the sun is in the right direction you can see lots of swirl marks everywhere. You don't see them unless the sun angle is just right!

The paint itself is in very good condition, no oxidation at all.

My questions are:

1. What product do I use to remove the swirl marks?
2. What is the correct 3M pad to use (since I already have the backing plate from 3M)
3. After polishing the swirl marks can I use the synthetic sealant or wax will be better? And what pad to use for this?

Thanks for any input

[Nick Winn]

Re: Correct pads to use

Hi Presidio,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online. We just need to ask you a couple questions in order to steer you in the right direction:

There are two different types of "swirl marks."

A) The below "swirl marks" are also commonly referred to as "holograms" or "buffer trails." These are inflicted from a rotary polisher machine.




B) The below swirl marks are also commonly referred to as "cobweb/spiderweb swirl." These are typically inflicted from less than proper washing techniques or can also be left behind from a wool pad on a rotary machine.



1) Which of the above "swirl marks" does you black motor-home have? Or does it have both?

2) Is your motorhome a "full body painted" coach with a modern clear coat paint or is it a gel coat/fiberglass surface?

3) Is this a rotary machine you will be using? Or some other type of machine like a dual action polisher?

4) What are you goals for the coach? There are a couple different ways to approach this. The best results, like getting the best gloss & closest to defect free surface can take more time & more steps. You can also get massive improvements from using a quality "Cleaner/Wax" product. These types of products can provide great defect removal, added gloss, and protection in one step. Most users when working on large motorhomes tend to go for less steps.

We have products & process recommendations for both approaches, just need to know what you are thinking, along with the other above questions, so we can start making some recommendations.

Nick

[Presidio]

Re: Correct pads to use

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the reply!

1.The swirl marks I have are like in picture A, holograms.
2. The motorhome is full body paint with clear coat.
3. The machine I have is a rotary one with adjustable speed.
4. My goal is to have a motorhome without the holograms marks and also to have good sun/dirt protection. The paint is in really good condition (shine) otherwise. I am hoping to minimize the frequency I need to wash the coach is possible.

If your pads will work with the 3M backing plate I am happy to buy them together with the products you will advise to use.

Thanks.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Correct pads to use

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the reply!

1.The swirl marks I have are like in picture A, holograms.
2. The motorhome is full body paint with clear coat.
3. The machine I have is a rotary one with adjustable speed.
4. My goal is to have a motorhome without the holograms marks and also to have good sun/dirt protection. The paint is in really good condition (shine) otherwise. I am hoping to minimize the frequency I need to wash the coach is possible.

If your pads will work with the 3M backing plate I am happy to buy them together with the products you will advise to use.

Thanks.

Of course!

Ok so based on your goals, tool you would like to use, condition of paint on motorhome, etc., I would recommend our D166 Ultra Polishing Wax. Using this product on your rotary with a foam polishing pad, like our WRFP7 Soft Buff 7" Rotary Foam Polishing Pad, can work to remove the existing holograms & other light to moderate defects, providing a high gloss and durable protection. More information on these products can be referenced at the below links:

For some reason the link below states D300, which is another product, but it is not. (I have notified appropriate contacts to fix). The below link will take you to the product we would recommend, D166 Ultra Polishing Wax.
https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-d166-ultra-polishing-wax-16-oz.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-soft-buff-rotary-foam-polishing-pad-7inch.html

That said, keep in mind a rotary machine inflicted these marks to begin with and it has the ability to do it again very easily. Use light pressure, & low speed like 1000 RPMs.

I am not sure if your backing plate will work with our rotary pads unfortunately. If you need to end up getting a different backing plate, below is a link to our Rotary Soft Backing Plate:

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-rotary-soft-backing-plate.html

Hope this helps and feel free to post further questions. We would love to see before and after pictures! Let me know if you need help determining how to post pictures.

Nick

[Nick Winn]

Re: Correct pads to use

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-d166-ultra-polishing-wax-16-oz.html

Note I have updated the link.

Nick