One last try...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
One last try...
can SOMEONE tell me how to get rid of these on an arctic white 08 coupe. It's been driven 10 times or less. The dealership put these on when it went thru PDI. I have a porter cable and i want to know what product, what pad manufacturer and color, PC speed, and what you would wax/seal it with after you get that mirror finish. This may sound simple, but i've been told everything from a 2000 grit compound with a aggressive cutting pad to a light swirl remover with an almost no cut pad (finishing pad).
If you know what works please chime in. the table in my garage looks like the shelfs from Pep boys, i have a ton of cleaners, polishes, and waxes, lots of microfiber and meg's and buffandshine pads. I've tinkered with some products on my 10 year old faded black CRV and my girlfriends 06 scion with the same light swirl marks as my vette and i can't get anything out. Any help would be great.
If you know what works please chime in. the table in my garage looks like the shelfs from Pep boys, i have a ton of cleaners, polishes, and waxes, lots of microfiber and meg's and buffandshine pads. I've tinkered with some products on my 10 year old faded black CRV and my girlfriends 06 scion with the same light swirl marks as my vette and i can't get anything out. Any help would be great.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
start with Menzerna SIP with PC on high speed (6), well after initial spreading of polish so no spitting, and work each area for several minutes until polish flashes. Use a med to aggressive pad. Then move to 106FF and med/light pad (step down) once you have look desired. Usually it can take two applications of SIP to make difference. Slow, with patience ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
Give Zaino ZPC a try on a white LC pad with your ROB speed set at 5.5.
Follow up with a few coats of Z5p and it should look 1000 times better. It may require a more aggressive approach if there are any deep swirls but it does not appear so in the pics.
Follow up with a few coats of Z5p and it should look 1000 times better. It may require a more aggressive approach if there are any deep swirls but it does not appear so in the pics.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96,209
Likes: 75
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
It's usually hard to see those on Artic White......
Black is a whole new world so, consider yourself lucky......
With your PC I'd get some Menzerna polish to get the job done. SIP or IP with and LC orange pad on speed 6 will work just fine on your vette clear coat. Work inside small 2x2 foot windows and take your time.
After the paint is corrected, you can use a wax or a sealant, your choice. The key to keeping the finish swirl free will be in your washing habits. Good luck......
Black is a whole new world so, consider yourself lucky......
With your PC I'd get some Menzerna polish to get the job done. SIP or IP with and LC orange pad on speed 6 will work just fine on your vette clear coat. Work inside small 2x2 foot windows and take your time.
After the paint is corrected, you can use a wax or a sealant, your choice. The key to keeping the finish swirl free will be in your washing habits. Good luck......
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 1,293
From: Central Ma
This is the difference between me, and I would guess 95-98% of the people here (novices) and a small handful of the pros. I look at that and think fairly severe, especially for the age.
A rotary in the right hands will take care of that in no time.
With a PC, I like MIP, but I love ZPC.
I would say mip/orange, followed by ZPC/orange, and finish with ZPC/white.
I have not been a fan of the white pad, but I am just finishing my personal "ultimate detail" and I did those three steps.
I now have three coats of Z5P on, and I plan on either a little more, or a few Z2P before the ZCS.
I will post a full write up with pics soon.
Good luck to you.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
6???? the porter cable sounds and feels like it's going to explode on this setting. right on the PC it says do not exceed 5" pad. only pads out there are 6"
there is no 5.5! it's either 5 or 6 
i'm really trying to take all this is, but can you see how it's so darn confusing? I guess i will start with a mild polish and use the softest pad and work my way up with the pads. if that doesnt cut it (har-har) then i will switch to a more abrasive polish and work my way up thru the pads. sound about right?
i'm really trying to take all this is, but can you see how it's so darn confusing? I guess i will start with a mild polish and use the softest pad and work my way up with the pads. if that doesnt cut it (har-har) then i will switch to a more abrasive polish and work my way up thru the pads. sound about right?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
I have run mine at 6 for 5 years without fail. Make sure you installed the washer from the directions before first use. If you are worried on speed, pull the dial back a small bit to around 5.5 on dial. (it wont click in)
All of us have run larger pads on the PC. Some run 7" pads. There are two counterweights available (one suggested for bigger pads) but no real difference. I would start with 106FF and white pad initially , if it doesnt work change polish (SIP) or pad (orange).
All of us have run larger pads on the PC. Some run 7" pads. There are two counterweights available (one suggested for bigger pads) but no real difference. I would start with 106FF and white pad initially , if it doesnt work change polish (SIP) or pad (orange).
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96,209
Likes: 75
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
1.) 6???? the porter cable sounds and feels like it's going to explode on this setting. right on the PC it says do not exceed 5" pad. only pads out there are 6"
2.) there is no 5.5! it's either 5 or 6 i'm really trying to take all this is, but can you see how it's so darn confusing? I guess i will start with a mild polish and use the softest pad and work my way up with the pads. if that doesnt cut it (har-har) then i will switch to a more abrasive polish and work my way up thru the pads. sound about right?
2.) there is no 5.5! it's either 5 or 6
i'm really trying to take all this is, but can you see how it's so darn confusing? I guess i will start with a mild polish and use the softest pad and work my way up with the pads. if that doesnt cut it (har-har) then i will switch to a more abrasive polish and work my way up thru the pads. sound about right? 2.) Again, no big deal . Don't freak out about 5.5. Use 6 and forget about it......
Once you get the combo's down, pad/product, it's a lot of fun.....This isn't rocket science, you can do it....
Last edited by Dave1; Apr 10, 2008 at 08:12 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
can SOMEONE tell me how to get rid of these on an arctic white 08 coupe. It's been driven 10 times or less. The dealership put these on when it went thru PDI. I have a porter cable and i want to know what product, what pad manufacturer and color, PC speed, and what you would wax/seal it with after you get that mirror finish. This may sound simple, but i've been told everything from a 2000 grit compound with a aggressive cutting pad to a light swirl remover with an almost no cut pad (finishing pad).
If you know what works please chime in. the table in my garage looks like the shelfs from Pep boys, i have a ton of cleaners, polishes, and waxes, lots of microfiber and meg's and buffandshine pads. I've tinkered with some products on my 10 year old faded black CRV and my girlfriends 06 scion with the same light swirl marks as my vette and i can't get anything out. Any help would be great.
If you know what works please chime in. the table in my garage looks like the shelfs from Pep boys, i have a ton of cleaners, polishes, and waxes, lots of microfiber and meg's and buffandshine pads. I've tinkered with some products on my 10 year old faded black CRV and my girlfriends 06 scion with the same light swirl marks as my vette and i can't get anything out. Any help would be great.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX