4" pads and swirls

[edehoyos1]

first off just wanna say whats up to everyone ...im new to detailing and new to this forum...I just picked up the 4" pads and i have been testing them out on a small area on my truck i am using the pads with a drill..the truck is brand new and had zero swirls.... after using the pads on this area it seems to be leaving swirl marks you can only see them when the light hits it just right.....Ive washed, clayed, started with the orange pad and the swirl haze remover then the polish and the white pad...What am i doing wrong or how can i fix this? i appreciate all yalls input

[edehoyos1]

alright guys just a little update.....went a picked up a halogen light turns out the truck had more swirls than i thought the guys at the car dealership must have put them in when they washed it.....good news is im able to get most of them out with just the hand polishing kit i corrected most of the swirls i put in with the drill and focus pads....but work keeps getting in the way of my detail.... my weekend starts tomorrow so ill let yall know

[70'sChevyGirl]

Looks good.

[edehoyos1]

yeah they sure did ....it took a while but everything turned a good...yall have great product and the americana wax is awsome!!

[Team Adam's]

Looking good! Did the remnants of the 4" pad test polish out ok for you?

[edehoyos1]

long night last night....but finally got it done i think im obsessed now with detailing now... i think my wife might divorce me if i spend anymore time with my truck....i did everything by hand and even though it almost feel off, i enjoyed it...here are some pics its cloudy outside today and its with a cell phone so sorry for poor quality but here they are

[Team Adam's]

Cool. Be sure to take pictures to share!!

[edehoyos1]

hey thanks guys.. really appreciate all the input im determined to get these techniques down... and yeah i strarted doin my test areas in the evening still about 90 degrees but the product seems to be doing well ...... im starting to get some of the swirl marks out by hand...... big detail will probally be tonight ill let yall know how it goes......again thanks for all the tips

[Chewy]

Thanks for using our goods! First, here is a key statement: 4" Pads used on a drill is equivalent to using a mini-rotary buffer!!

 

You will absolutely need to follow the 4" pads used on a drill, regardless of product or pad used, with an orbital polisher. Rotary buffers, big or small, leave swirl marks.

 

(You can use the 4" pads with the D/A, just change the adapter. However, it will take 3 days to finish a truck!)

 

We use the 4" pads to remove scratches, and to dial in areas tough to reach with the orbital machine.

 

Sorry that you got swirls, and we can fix that, easy!! Have a look here: http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_14.aspx

 

Thanks, and let's see some pics of your new truck!

 

-Adam:2thumbs:

 

 

What he said 100,000%

 

Only use them on a drill for deep scratches and follow up with a D/A machine for corrected paint.

 

Chris

[Adam]

Thanks for using our goods! First, here is a key statement: 4" Pads used on a drill is equivalent to using a mini-rotary buffer!!

 

You will absolutely need to follow the 4" pads used on a drill, regardless of product or pad used, with an orbital polisher. Rotary buffers, big or small, leave swirl marks.

 

(You can use the 4" pads with the D/A, just change the adapter. However, it will take 3 days to finish a truck!)

 

We use the 4" pads to remove scratches, and to dial in areas tough to reach with the orbital machine.

 

Sorry that you got swirls, and we can fix that, easy!! Have a look here: http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_14.aspx

 

Thanks, and let's see some pics of your new truck!

 

-Adam:2thumbs:

[The Ryan]

^-- What Dylan said.

[Team Adam's]

..the truck is brand new and had zero swirls.... after using the pads on this area it seems to be leaving swirl marks you can only see them when the light hits it just right.

 

I'm confused as to why you would have attempted to polish at all if the paint had "zero swirls"?? EDIT: nevermind... seeing your last post I guess it doesn't matter anyways now that you've seen there are more swirls to contend with.

 

Have you watched out instructional videos? You may find them helpful - Adam specifically outlines in the videos that the 4" pads are for removal of deeper scratches and defects in a small area, not something you'd use to treat an entire vehicle.

 

http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

 

From the description of your issue you may have caused holograms with the pads... this is common for use of a rotary with improper technique over a larger area. Its easily fixed with a porter cable, and likely you won't need anything more aggressive than fine machine polish and the white pad.

 

Have you started using the products in lower temps?? When you originally emailed me you mentioned it has been 104* when you were polishing originally... thats definitely going to give you issues as products won't be as easy to work with in that kind of heat.

[Kingsford]

sounds good guys... i might just have to break down and get the Porter Cable ...

 

Ya know after buying the $175 detail kit I had to break down and buy a PC too. I never thought I would need one but they are sure nice to have and fun to use!

 

I like using the Revive Polish between full details.

[edehoyos1]

sounds good guys... i might just have to break down and get the Porter Cable ... i will prob just hand polish for now as not to screw anything elese up

[mc2hill]

Be careful using the 4" pads on the drill. Adam's products are made to use with a random orbital polisher (Porter Cable 7424XP, etc.). When you use them with the drill that is like using a rotary polisher, and you have to be very careful to be sure not to inflict clear coat damage.

The pad and drill combo works great for hazed up headlights, but most folks don't touch the paint with the drill.

 

It is recommended to use the least aggressive polish and pad combination first - Fine Machine Polish and a white pad. If that doesn't give the results you are looking for, move to the Swirl and Haze Remover on the white pad. If you need more correction then SHR and orange pad, or for even more correction the yellow Swirl Buster pad.

[Kingsford]

Well I would think maybe your not using enough SHR or not spraying the pad with Detail Spray to keep it lubricated.

 

I dont really understand why you used the pads if there were no swirls to start with.

 

 

As for polishing the whole truck with a 4" pad on the drill.... I wouldnt, its a good way to screw up the paint on edges and plus its a truck and that would just take forever!

 

 

Pictures would help.

[edehoyos1]

thanks guys....glad i tried it on a small area.... so do yall think i will be safe polishing the whole rig with the drill white pad and the machine polish

[Osok]

I'm pretty sure for a new car (or even one that has been deswirled) there's no need for SHR . You're fine washing, claying and then go right to FMP then wax.

[edehoyos1]

yeah no harm done i have thick skin ...but every video i have seen for machine polishing started out with the swirl and haze remover...best i can do is describe the swirls camera is on the blink....they are perfectly circular they look like what the polish or swirl remover would before you would wipe it off after you have used the pad on it

[Chris@Adams]

Can you post some pics? The orange pad and SHR will leave fine scratches that will be removed in the next step, white pad & FMP.Maybe you need to go over it again with white pad & FMP.

It is hard to say for sure without seeing.

[DanFish]

If I come off harsh please know thats not my intent, but; if your car had no swirls why did you use SHR? Also, a few pictures wouldn't hurt and would help others answer your questions:2thumbs: