Scratches after buffing

S

Steves69LS3

IMG_5138.JPG

IMG_5139.JPG

Hey everyone. I have used everything spi from the ground up using med red base and uv clear. I wetsanded my panels to 2500 grit I started buffing using a medium grit compound with medium pressure on s wool pad spinning no more than 1500rpm. I cant seem to get most scratches out even after doing the panels a few times over finishing with a machine glaze i can still see scratches. Do i need to buff with compound even more or is that what is causing the coarser scratches from 2500 i final sanded with? Here is what my panel looked like after wetsanding with 2500 and after buffing. You cant see the scratches in the latter pic but they are there Thanks for the repliesIMG_5138.JPG
 
Well your right I can't see the scratches in the pic. I'm assuming that they are scratches left from wetsanding. Are they in the same direction as you wetsanded? if so then yes you will need to buff more with compound until the scratches are gone. Are you using the correct buffing pad? if you are using a pad for buff glazing to work the compound you will have a hard time with it. As you go from compoung to glaze you will need to change pads.

The pics look good though.
 
You can also step down from a course compound to a lighter compound to a buff glaze also this will help with swirls left from the compound buffing, clean the pad after each step again changing pads when you get to the buff glaze part.Then you can use a hand glaze with cheese cloth to give it a final polish (no wax) I use 3m hand glaze.
 
I blocked all the way to 2500 but the scratches are more like spiderwebs
 
I have final sanded uv clear up to just 1200 grit and never had to buff this long
 
I'm thinking that it may be micro fine scratches left behind from the polishing. Do you have a soft buffing pad made for glazing?
I also use a mix I came up with, I mix 50/50 finesse-it and hand glaze together in a separate bottle, both from 3m and use that with a buff glaze pad. I found that the 2 mixed together do a real nice job for a final polish and leaves no swirl marks or micro scratches. Make sure the part is clear of all compound dust and don't buff in the sun. I've tried hand glaze on a buffing pad and it would dry and clog the pad the mix works real well especially after the buff glaze step
 
loose the wool pad and move on to foam . what compound are you using ? glazes just fill swirls and wash out later . you can get a v-series sample pak from chemical guys for 20 bucks . get an orange pad and black pad. 32-34 with orange pad , 36-38 with black pad. if you sand out to 3k it will be much easier .
 
How long did the panel sit before buffing? I always let my heavily clear coated jobs sit outside for 3 days to a week so everything can shrink up, I have tried buffing faster and i end up with "scratches" that dont want to buff out. Just a thought. Panel looks really nice BTW
 
Thanks guys im using stoners products
I use the medium abrasive on wool and the polish and seal on a foam pad
Those panels were cleared about a month ago
I do have a 3m black waffle foam pad on order and i will hit it with that
 
Its not a sealer its just the name of their glaze
Ive always had great luck with it
 
If I understand, the scratches are described as "spiderweb," which indicates that they are possibly from the wool pad. Now I won't tell you to throw your wool pad away, but obviously you need to either foam pad longer, or use some kind of intermediate step in between the coarse wool pad buffing and the final foam pad finish. Some systems have two kinds of foam pads and compounds, one for fine scratch removal and another for polishing to final gloss.
 
I agree i will try to get a better pic in a different angle and lighting
 
Also what is your recommended rpm for a foam pad and compound? I usually keep it under 2000rpm with a wool pad
 
Most likely you didn't get rid of the coarse grit scratches when you went over them with the finer paper.
that's usually what happens, you think they're all leveled out but they're not and you don't see them till
you start buffing.
 
I buff slow, like 1500 max. I don't think today's products work well at high speed.

It's not going to be possible for us to tell you what is wrong unless it can be photographed.
 
Here are a few pics. I think i might want to try the chemical guys stuff
Can someone recommend what to get? Compounds/polishes/pads?
Thsnks
 
Those are better for sure. Looks like wet sand scratches to me that still need compounded out. I use a 2" schlegle wool buffing pad for my compounding and then go to a 3m (Yellow color) glazing pad and I also have a pair (1 compound, 1 glazing) Meguire's foam pads. I use meguires compounds heavy, med. and light then use a glazing swirl remover (on a glazing pad) Meguires works good or 3m's finesse-it (mixed with 3m's hand glaze no more then 50/50). The Finesse-it mix I use with a glazing pad will not washed off it just polishes with no swirl marks the hand glaze (put on by hand like wax) used by itself to remove swirl markes will wash off and they will show again. Clean the panel after every step and the buffer is about 1500rpm (mabey slightly faster), I'm not real sure about the speed as my Flex's speed dial goes from 1-6 and I put it on 3 or 4. Then slow it alittle for glazing.

I'm not real fond of the foam pads. They can generate alot more heat then a good wool pad and if your not careful the edge can dig into the surface when you get close to raised sections of panels and tight corners where the wool pad is more forgiving. That's just me as others may feel differantly, for me I would only use them on flat areas with little to no obstructions.

Only ofter all the machine buffing is done will I follow with a hand glaze using a very soft cheese cloth or terry (type) towel to put on and wipe off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top