Polishing a non-clear coat NA

[Forgiven]

I've got Mariner Blue which I thought would respond, based on previous experience with other cars years ago, to a cut-and-polish. It did, but on applying the recommended wax and polish coat (ArmorAll) afterwards, swirl marks that should have gone remain. Suggestions please for something that I may be doing wrong. Don't want to keep putting transferring a thin coat of valuable paint to a cloth if I'm unlikely to get the result I want. Perhaps my expectations are wrong?

[93_Clubman]

On which panels do the swirl marks remain?

[StanTheMan]

If you have paint on cloth it is working. Your swirl matks are either deep. Or your putting them in while youre teying to remove them.

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[hks_kansei]

Are you doing it by hand? or using a polishing machine?

If it's by hand you'll have a very hard time in actually removing the swirls fully.


The type of polish/cutting compound makes a difference too, some of the cutting compounds are pretty harsh and will leave marks them self, which then needs an additional polish to remove.

Of course, if the buffing cloth you're using afterwards isnt super soft, or has any stuff stuck in the fibres, that will also leave marks.



I'd start off with using a machine and a mild polish, something abrasive but not crazy. Meguiars Ultimate compound is not too abrasive, as well as easy to find and use.
When we used it on my partner's NA years ago it seemed to take out 90% of the swirls without cutting too deep.

After that you can then wax/seal the car.
Since NA paint seems to oxidise quickly you'll probably want something that lasts longer. I've used Poorboys EX-P before, and it works great (lasts a few months too), and isnt too expensive.


If you've got the turtle wax stuff then feel free to use it, but i've just never been a massive fan of their gear (granted, I havent used it for years, so no idea if the newer stuff is cheaper/better)

[ralt]

Hi.
You could try an old way of getting rid of swirls. Baby powder rub it in wash it off.

[Forgiven]

By hand.
All panels so far.
Is the baby powder thing for real? If so, that would be the go for the panels that have already had two applications.
Other than that I'll switch to hks_kansei's method.
Thanks all.

[KevGoat]

Back when I had my NA I started with a friend using his polisher but after it left some burn marks in the soft paint I decided to do it by hand. Started by using some very fine wet/dry paper with soapy water and very lightly rubbed the whole car down with that. Then I went to some even finer paper and did it all again. Then used some light polish/swirl remover (Turtle from memory), then some proper polish and finally a good wax. Obviously thoroughly washed soaked and dried between each. Took me about a week and a great deal of brand new soft cloths and polishing pads but the result was great considering what I'd started with.

On my SE though I've never really bothered. Looks good enough for me when I detail it but in the right light swirl marks are there.



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[hks_kansei]

Back when I had my NA I started with a friend using his polisher but after it left some burn marks in the soft paint I decided to do it by hand.

I'm assuming this was a rotary machine? (or a wool pad on a grinder?)

They take a bit if skill to use without damage, but cna do the job a lot faster and better.


I jsut use a random orbital machine, not as fast, and not as agressive in it's ability to remove marks, but a LOT more forgiving.

[KevGoat]

I'm assuming this was a rotary machine?

Yeah it was. He's pretty experienced and usually does a good job but I think that paint was just too soft for that machine. Wasn't the best of backyard spray jobs.


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[apsilon]

The baby powder thing I've heard of but never tried. Personally wouldn't recommend it. I imagine the powder varies a lot so you may get some larger/harder particles that'll leave deeper scratches than the other stuff is removing. IMO use a product intended for the purpose otherwise you may end up with a worse result than you started with. Not worth saving ~$20 over.

Way too many variables to say what's causing your problem. If the swirls were gone after you finished polishing but then back after you waxed then my first thought is you reintroduced them with your wax application method and/or product but as I said, so many variables to say anything for certain.

Brings back memories of my old Clubman when you used to do this stuff by hand. Thankfully it is a small car but these days I wouldn't tackle the job without a machine. Too old and lazy now

[Mr Morlock]

I certainly would not be using anything but recommended products and only use the right application tools for the job. Paint suppliers i.e. the guys in the trade will give you the right advice and products used in the trade- I have never been shy about asking for recommendations. The local detailer will also be able to do it at probably an affordable price - the MX5 is a small car. You can of course just do it all by hand- just takes longer but then you dont have to buy power tools.

[hks_kansei]

I certainly would not be using anything but recommended products and only use the right application tools for the job.

I agree.

The baby powder method may well work, but it's far from being ideal, all it takes is one hard/large piece. And if it does cause a scratch etc, then you end up having to remove even more paint to repair that damage.

Proper car polish isn't particularly expensive, and will do the job well.

Like anything else, it's always recommended to use the most gentle abrasive you can in order to remove the marks.

[ralt]

Hi.
Most of you people obviously do not know what baby powder is and its uses If you have children and do not know really what it is or the texture of the product is perhaps you should give your wife/partner more assistance around your babies. If you find lumps in it sue the company-good luck.

[Wolfgang]

By hand will add some gloss, but that's about it. If you want to remove swirls properly then a machine is the way to go, a random orbital is your best bet if you haven't used a machine polisher before. As mentioned Meguires Ultimate Compound is a good all rounder and should remove the majority of swirls. As for polishing pads, use foam pads and start with a polishing (as opposed to compounding) pad and see how you go. As least aggressive as possible to get the result you want is the key. You might find two passes with a less aggressive combination gives a better result than one with an agressive combination. Just be mindful of edges when machine polishing as they are most prone to burn through. And seeing as you are polishing single stage paint buy a few pads because they will clog up quickly and lose their effectiveness. Also get yourself some quality microfibre cloths, they will reduce the chance of marring while wiping off. Lastly, use some low stick blue painters tape to protect any plastic trim or adjoining panels while polishing.

[Wolfgang]

Hi.
Most of you people obviously do not know what baby powder is and its uses If you have children and do not know really what it is or the texture of the product is perhaps you should give your wife/partner more assistance around your babies. If you find lumps in it sue the company-good luck.

According to a new report it's made from asbestos.