More aggressive polish than SSR3?

therealm3 · 02-18-2007, 11:05 AM

Hello,

I have some pretty bad scratches/swirls in the hood of my wife’s car that were caused by inexperienced detailing methods on my part. Since that horrible day years ago, I have spent a ton of time in detailing forums and have built a decent collection of detailing supplies. However, I still cannot get all of the scratches out. I have tried all the menzerna and PoorBoys's polishes and wanted to know if there is something else out there more aggressive than SSR 3 or Intensive Polish that will be somewhat clear coat friendly and effective with my Porter Cable. I would hate to burn up the paint with a “cutting" compound, but if there is a mild one I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks, the rest of her car looks great and the hood is killing me to look at.

picus · 02-18-2007, 11:23 AM

The problem with going more aggressive with a PC is that the PC starts to have a hard time breaking down the compound. For example, Menzerna Power Gloss is probably slightly more abrasive than SSR3, but it takes a long, long time to break down via PC.

There are two compounds I'd give a shot, Optimum Hyper Compound (the new one), and if that doesn't do it, Power Gloss. When using OHC remember to work it for a very long time via PC. It's pretty oily to help with dust, so it requires a very long break down time. I take it you're using a yellow pad (or megs burgundy, or the equivalent?)

If that doesn't work you will *probably* need to step up to a rotary or try your hand at wetsanding. In either case you may want to confirm via a PTG that you have sufficient clear left to work with (odds are you will, but better safe than re-painting).

oneshare325 · 02-18-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

The problem with going more aggressive with a PC is that the PC starts to have a hard time breaking down the compound. For example, Menzerna Power Gloss is probably slightly more abrasive than SSR3, but it takes a long, long time to break down via PC.

There are two compounds I'd give a shot, Optimum Hyper Compound (the new one), and if that doesn't do it, Power Gloss. When using OHC remember to work it for a very long time via PC. It's pretty oily to help with dust, so it requires a very long break down time. I take it you're using a yellow pad (or megs burgundy, or the equivalent?)

If that doesn't work you will *probably* need to step up to a rotary or try your hand at wetsanding. In either case you may want to confirm via a PTG that you have sufficient clear left to work with (odds are you will, but better safe than re-painting).

Great Info as Always Picus!!

therealm3 · 02-18-2007, 12:19 PM

Yes, Great info! I'll give it a shot!

Right now I was using an orange pad with the PC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

The problem with going more aggressive with a PC is that the PC starts to have a hard time breaking down the compound. For example, Menzerna Power Gloss is probably slightly more abrasive than SSR3, but it takes a long, long time to break down via PC.

There are two compounds I'd give a shot, Optimum Hyper Compound (the new one), and if that doesn't do it, Power Gloss. When using OHC remember to work it for a very long time via PC. It's pretty oily to help with dust, so it requires a very long break down time. I take it you're using a yellow pad (or megs burgundy, or the equivalent?)

If that doesn't work you will *probably* need to step up to a rotary or try your hand at wetsanding. In either case you may want to confirm via a PTG that you have sufficient clear left to work with (odds are you will, but better safe than re-painting).

pander5 · 02-18-2007, 01:58 PM

Try your stongest product with a yellow pad and at speed 6. Don't give up after 1 or 2 attempts. Keep working the section with multiple passes and see if your making any headway each time. Don't be surprised if you've worked the section 4, 5, 6 times before you see them diminish. This advice is based on you having access to a PC only. If you have a rotary or a friend who has one and is experienced with it that would be the way to go.

picus · 02-18-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pander5

Try your stongest product with a yellow pad and at speed 6. Don't give up after 1 or 2 attempts. Keep working the section with multiple passes and see if your making any headway each time. Don't be surprised if you've worked the section 4, 5, 6 times before you see them diminish. This advice is based on you having access to a PC only. If you have a rotary or a friend who has one and is experienced with it that would be the way to go.

Good advice from Pander5 as usual. With a PC it often comes down to patience and persistence. I'd get a slightly more aggressive pad (lake country yellow, for example), and continue to try that with either SSR3 or OHC. Oh, make sure you have the right pads/polish to take out that haze that will inevitably leave you with too.

Good luck.

dawgdog · 02-18-2007, 09:52 PM

I like Meguiar's DACP (#83) using my PC with a red cutting pad, or if need be I will use my Makita rotary.

therealm3 · 02-18-2007, 10:07 PM

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

shadowcoder · 02-23-2007, 01:19 AM

As always great advice from the resident detail gurus here. Report back when
you're done. I'm interested to hear about your results.

tdekany · 02-27-2007, 05:01 PM

another must have compound is Hi Temp's EXTREME CUT.

Works well on the pc and finishes off beautiful. SSR3 is great but it need a rotary.

EC is the strongest of all I'd say.

pander5 · 02-27-2007, 08:01 PM

+1 on the HTEC but picus' advice is pertinent with that product, i.e. you need to reduce down the ultra fine hazing you get with EC. I've used HTEC with both PC and circular and it is an amazing product and priced very well too.

picus · 02-27-2007, 08:20 PM

Yes, the hi temp levelers are awesome products. In fact, I use them almost 100% of the time now when doing compounding with a rotary. HTEC is a little hard to break down via PC but it can be done. I find HTHC has more than enough cut most of the time. I'd definitely recommend it for use by PC.

Both of them will haze, but given their cut they don't have a lot. FPII/106FF usually takes it out easily.

Oh, and good point on the prices; tough to beat especially in large quantities.

02-18-2007, 11:05 AM	#1
therealm3 Lieutenant Colonel 651 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: F30 340 MSport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: CA, USA iTrader: (7)	More aggressive polish than SSR3? Hello, I have some pretty bad scratches/swirls in the hood of my wife’s car that were caused by inexperienced detailing methods on my part. Since that horrible day years ago, I have spent a ton of time in detailing forums and have built a decent collection of detailing supplies. However, I still cannot get all of the scratches out. I have tried all the menzerna and PoorBoys's polishes and wanted to know if there is something else out there more aggressive than SSR 3 or Intensive Polish that will be somewhat clear coat friendly and effective with my Porter Cable. I would hate to burn up the paint with a “cutting" compound, but if there is a mild one I'd love to hear about it. Thanks, the rest of her car looks great and the hood is killing me to look at.
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02-18-2007, 11:23 AM	#2
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	The problem with going more aggressive with a PC is that the PC starts to have a hard time breaking down the compound. For example, Menzerna Power Gloss is probably slightly more abrasive than SSR3, but it takes a long, long time to break down via PC. There are two compounds I'd give a shot, Optimum Hyper Compound (the new one), and if that doesn't do it, Power Gloss. When using OHC remember to work it for a very long time via PC. It's pretty oily to help with dust, so it requires a very long break down time. I take it you're using a yellow pad (or megs burgundy, or the equivalent?) If that doesn't work you will probably need to step up to a rotary or try your hand at wetsanding. In either case you may want to confirm via a PTG that you have sufficient clear left to work with (odds are you will, but better safe than re-painting).
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02-18-2007, 01:58 PM	#5
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 32 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	Try your stongest product with a yellow pad and at speed 6. Don't give up after 1 or 2 attempts. Keep working the section with multiple passes and see if your making any headway each time. Don't be surprised if you've worked the section 4, 5, 6 times before you see them diminish. This advice is based on you having access to a PC only. If you have a rotary or a friend who has one and is experienced with it that would be the way to go. __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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02-18-2007, 09:52 PM	#7
dawgdog Colonel 156 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: 2015 M3, 2016 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seattle, Wa. iTrader: (0)	I like Meguiar's DACP (#83) using my PC with a red cutting pad, or if need be I will use my Makita rotary. __________________ 2015 f80 M3, 2016 GT3
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02-23-2007, 01:19 AM	#9
shadowcoder Captain 51 Rep 921 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Jose, CA / Orland Park, IL iTrader: (1)	As always great advice from the resident detail gurus here. Report back when you're done. I'm interested to hear about your results.
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02-18-2007, 10:07 PM	#8
therealm3 Lieutenant Colonel 651 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: F30 340 MSport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.
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02-27-2007, 05:01 PM	#10
tdekany Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2001 VR6 Jetta Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Estacada Oregon iTrader: (0)	another must have compound is Hi Temp's EXTREME CUT. Works well on the pc and finishes off beautiful. SSR3 is great but it need a rotary. EC is the strongest of all I'd say.
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02-27-2007, 08:01 PM	#11
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 32 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	+1 on the HTEC but picus' advice is pertinent with that product, i.e. you need to reduce down the ultra fine hazing you get with EC. I've used HTEC with both PC and circular and it is an amazing product and priced very well too. __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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02-27-2007, 08:20 PM	#12
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Yes, the hi temp levelers are awesome products. In fact, I use them almost 100% of the time now when doing compounding with a rotary. HTEC is a little hard to break down via PC but it can be done. I find HTHC has more than enough cut most of the time. I'd definitely recommend it for use by PC. Both of them will haze, but given their cut they don't have a lot. FPII/106FF usually takes it out easily. Oh, and good point on the prices; tough to beat especially in large quantities.
	Appreciate 0 Quote