Detailed, but ... got some questions

[hoppy6698]

Okay, so it finally hit 50 degrees here and, for once, I could actually pull out the PC and try to make up for the winter months.

Sorry, no before pics, but suffice to say, the wheels were horrid and the car needed some serious fixing.

But, here's the issue. I can't seem to get rid of these really small scratches, dots (?) and swirls.



The tape was to help focus, but I'm no camera expert and getting this pic was a pain. Around the sun reflection, you can see the really fine scratch and what appears to me to be dots? After an hour using the PC, Chemical Guys 3N Nano (Green pad, but not enough cut) & Cut 1.0 (Orange Pad, better), but still can't seem to get down to the scratches.

Any ideas on how to fix them? Can it even be done with a PC?

So, endstate though, so reflection pics. These were taken after CG AIOP and two coats of Jetseal 109.






Now, the top pic (issues) is from the hood. This last pic show that from the side, or without direct sunlight, you can't even notice the issues - but doesn't mean I don't still want to fix em

Finishing up tomorrow - 1 coat of Pete's 53.

[hoppy6698]

Aight, day 2 - Final coat of Pete's 53 from CG, dress tires, cleaned all glass surfaces, Clayed and Rain-X on windshield.

Finally got the camera to take some nicer shots for me as the sun went down.
Walk around shots -










Some reflections that finally came out well (I think):
Driver Side Door:


Roof back to front:


Roof from side - glass to paint transition highlights how close it gets to glass:

[Larson7.62]

I notice theres a tree in the reflection. That could be the source of the dots ( I can't see them). When I got "dots" on my car, the whole thing needed to be repainted because the sap ate through the clearcoat and into the paint. Bought the car brand new, needed to be repainted within 3000 miles :(

[hoppy6698]

No trees, I make sure to never park under em. I saw some of the same 'dots' in Wes' pictures too. Wondering if they are deeper? Just random paint/clear coat blemishes?

[Tusin]

How does tree sap "eat" through clear coat? This would be the first time I have ever heard of that. Tree sap is generally just sugar and water. Yes it can be a PAIN to remove, and if removed incorrectly it can take clear with it. But I am trying to think of what is actually corrosive in tree sap.

[hoppy6698]

Depends on the clear coat. The damage I once had was on a Honda - notoriously weak clear coats. On the same Honda, some bird poo that sat a few days too long (I was deployed) ate through the clear coat AND the metallic paint.

I would think it wouldn't be an issue on Audis.

[Tusin]

Shouldn't anything to do with the clearcoat. As there is nothing (that I can think of) that is corrosive in tree sap. I am willing to be that removal process of the tree-sap actually caused the issue. Honda clear isn't nessicarly weak as it is soft. Now bird-droppings DO have an enzyme in them that does ear away at clear coat if left to sit long enough.

OP, did you clay the car? Also what soap did you use? Are you able to wash the car with hot water? As if it is tree sap, it can "melt" the sugar in it, and allow easier clean up. But honestly it almost looks like hard-water spots. Again, what soap are you using? :)

If that first picture if the "after". You are going to need a stronger compound/pad. Just in my first sentence when I mentioned that honda clear is soft. Well Audi clear is the extreme opposite of that. HARD AS ALL HELL. M105 and an Orange pad would be a start. But if you are out buying, I have heard a lot of good things about the new Hydro-Tech pads (Blue for Cut, Tangerine for Polish). Well be picking some up for when I do my after winter correction.

[hoppy6698]

First - its not a tree. I dont park under em. So its not sap.

Detail was CG Cut 1.0 with Orange cutting pad. Doesn't get much more abrasive than that, assuming the grit measurements of CG and Menz are true. I know the coat is hard, which is why I think it may eventually need professional correction.

Wash - CG Citrus
Clayed - always, but will hit it again before summer comes on.

[Tusin]

Well what is your technique then? Your swirls look pretty light. I am not to familiar with CG 1.0, but I think the cut is similar to M105. Does it have non-diminishing abrasives like 105?

[Tusin]

Oh you know what those dots could be.... Did you do an IPA wipe down after each stage of compound/polish?

[hoppy6698]

Well what is your technique then? Your swirls look pretty light. I am not to familiar with CG 1.0, but I think the cut is similar to M105. Does it have non-diminishing abrasives like 105?

No idea about the non-diminish part - would have to call CG. As for IPA, nope. I thought that was to reduce residue - does it enhance the cut in between applications as well?

[DetailersDomain]

hoppy, you probably need more aggressive products CG may not have the cutting abilities Menzerna or the Meg's M105 /M205 have.

[hoppy6698]

Thats where the grit comes in, but I guess that doesn't account for everything. I may have to pick up some 105, it would be my last attempt to see how far I can go on my own.

[DetailersDomain]

you will need something a final polish to finish out the car after M105.

[Tusin]

M105/M205 is a very hard to beat combo. Although I have heard good things about the Menzerna line up.

I would do some research on the "Kevin Brown Method". Get your technique down, and proper product/pad combo and you should have no problem. Your swirls do not look bad at all.

[hoppy6698]

Thanks, guess I need practice. If that doesn't work, looks like I will have to give Menz a try. If that fixes it, then I know its a product issue, not technique/skill level issue.

[DetailersDomain]

hoppy these videos might help.

http://detailersdomain.wordpress.com...erna-polishes/

[hoppy6698]

Done em :) And all of Adam's latest versions on Youtube. I doubt I would have attempted the work without them, great videos for the noobs here like me :)