Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

[voornas]

Hi Michael,
7 years ago I took a class you hosted and learned how to make my Black Mustang 5.0 look incredible all the time. No swirls ever. Bought a DA, compound, polish and wax and applied everything you taught and it worked flawlessly. Fast forward 7 years. I have a 2019 Harley Davidson Softail Slim in Vivid Black. It has light swirls on the tank. I did the same routine that worked on my Mustang but on this bike it doesn't seem to have the same results. After applying the Ultimate compound with a yellow pad like I did on the Mustang, it still has swirls and fine scratches you can see in direct sun. So Michael, what do you think is the best way to attack this Harley to get that flawless Meguiar's finish?

[Nick Winn]

Re: Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

Hi Michael,
7 years ago I took a class you hosted and learned how to make my Black Mustang 5.0 look incredible all the time. No swirls ever. Bought a DA, compound, polish and wax and applied everything you taught and it worked flawlessly. Fast forward 7 years. I have a 2019 Harley Davidson Softail Slim in Vivid Black. It has light swirls on the tank. I did the same routine that worked on my Mustang but on this bike it doesn't seem to have the same results. After applying the Ultimate compound with a yellow pad like I did on the Mustang, it still has swirls and fine scratches you can see in direct sun. So Michael, what do you think is the best way to attack this Harley to get that flawless Meguiar's finish?

Mike Stoops is not on the forum as often since he is in a different role, but I can help & work through this with you.

It sounds like you just need to step up a bit in aggressiveness. I am assuming you have our older G110 d/a polisher machine & older 7" Soft Buff Foam Pads?

[voornas]

Re: Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

Mike Stoops is not on the forum as often since he is in a different role, but I can help & work through this with you.

It sounds like you just need to step up a bit in aggressiveness. I am assuming you have our older G110 d/a polisher machine & older 7" Soft Buff Foam Pads?

Hi Nick,
Thanks for replying so quickly.
Yes My DA is the 110V2 and I am using the Yellow Soft Buff 7" pads. So your saying to apply more pressure as I'm using the compound? I have the setting on 4.

[Old Bear]

Re: Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

Another way to increase aggressiveness when using a D/A polisher could be to move to 5 inch pads.
The smaller backing plate/pad should concentrate the tools work to a smaller area.

Would a 5 inch pad also help you follow the curves on your HD?
Could it help you keep the working surface flat on the work surface?

[voornas]

Re: Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

Another way to increase aggressiveness when using a D/A polisher could be to move to 5 inch pads.
The smaller backing plate/pad should concentrate the tools work to a smaller area.

Would a 5 inch pad also help you follow the curves on your HD?
Could it help you keep the working surface flat on the work surface?

Actually yes the smaller pad would be a lot easier to follow the curves of the tank. Makes a lot of sense and is an affordable solution.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Michael I need your help

Hi Nick,
Thanks for replying so quickly.
Yes My DA is the 110V2 and I am using the Yellow Soft Buff 7" pads. So your saying to apply more pressure as I'm using the compound? I have the setting on 4.

No, that is not neccssarily what I was saying, just needed some more info before we could make some recommendations.

First thought, like Old Bear mentioned, is that yes, switching to our next generation 5" Soft Buff D/A Foam Discs, including the now dedicated red cutting disc, will improve all kinds of things on your G110v2, defect removal ability, finish polishing performance, much smoother, less vibration, more efficient pad rotation. So again this would be recommended. You will need to upgrade backing plates as well, to our DBP5 Soft Buff D/A Backing Plate (5"). Below is a link to more info:

Meguiar's Soft Buff DA Foam Discs & Backing Plates

Another thought, especially for a motorcycle, is our 4 Inch Foam D/A Power Pads. These can be used on your dual action polisher as well as our current MT300 dual action polisher. You will need to invest in our DBP3 Soft Buff D/A Backing Plate (3 Inch), but these would be a must for me if I owned a street motorcycle:

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-da-backing-plate-3inch.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/megui...ower-pads.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-da-polishing-power-pads.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-da-waxing-power-pads.html

In my opinion, with autos & motorcycles, if I were you, I would have both.

Below is another article which is a good reference if you have not seen yet:

D/A Polisher Basics with Meguiar's MT300

[voornas]

Re: Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

No, that is not neccssarily what I was saying, just needed some more info before we could make some recommendations.

First thought, like Old Bear mentioned, is that yes, switching to our next generation 5" Soft Buff D/A Foam Discs, including the now dedicated red cutting disc, will improve all kinds of things on your G110v2, defect removal ability, finish polishing performance, much smoother, less vibration, more efficient pad rotation. So again this would be recommended. You will need to upgrade backing plates as well, to our DBP5 Soft Buff D/A Backing Plate (5"). Below is a link to more info:

Meguiar's Soft Buff DA Foam Discs & Backing Plates


Another thought, especially for a motorcycle, is our 4 Inch Foam D/A Power Pads. These can be used on your dual action polisher as well as our current MT300 dual action polisher. You will need to invest in our DBP3 Soft Buff D/A Backing Plate (3 Inch), but these would be a must for me if I owned a street motorcycle:

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-da-backing-plate-3inch.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/megui...ower-pads.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-da-polishing-power-pads.html

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-da-waxing-power-pads.html

In my opinion, with autos & motorcycles, if I were you, I would have both.

Below is another article which is a good reference if you have not seen yet:

D/A Polisher Basics with Meguiar's MT300

This is why I continue to be a loyal customer!
Thank you Nick for all of the information. I'm glad this problem can be addressed with the right tools and I'll start reading what you've sent. I'm looking forward to having the same mirror finish on this bike as I have on my Mustang. Black paint can be a challenge but IMO nothing looks better when it's done right. Thank you again!

[Nick Winn]

Re:Help - G110v2/7" yellow pad/ultimate compound, not strong enough

This is why I continue to be a loyal customer!
Thank you Nick for all of the information. I'm glad this problem can be addressed with the right tools and I'll start reading what you've sent. I'm looking forward to having the same mirror finish on this bike as I have on my Mustang. Black paint can be a challenge but IMO nothing looks better when it's done right. Thank you again!

We are happy to help! Feel free to keep us in touch and/or post further questions. I am also going to change the name of your thread FYI, to a title which relates to the topic we are discussing, this way, if someone comes across the thread in a search, it can help them also.