My first real shot using a Random orbital polisher

What a letdown. I thought I was ready to help my sister out with her crapped out car. I washed it off first with some Dawn (it hadn’t been washed in a year.) After that, I sprayed it down with Iron X , then agitated that per the instructions, mixing in cleaning the wheels while that was going on. After that I gave it a another wash down, then stared on the trunk section as my test spot. I used a Rupes Yellow pad with the corresponding cream. Stared at higher speed (5) then dropped it to (2) No mater what I did, the results were just not any good. Then I went to a white Rupes pad with corresponding cream to try to help it along, but it just looked like hell. I then gave up on trying to fix the really nasty hood, top, and trunk lid. I pulled out some Sovereign carnuba wax to do the sides to save my sanity. That came out all right, up I’m bumfuzzled that I didn’t get a better result. I have no ideal what kind of tree sap, road grime, brake dust, and all other manner of contaminates had settled on the car, but it was as rough as sandpaper. I didn’t believe I could get it to showroom condition, but I was hoping for a better outcome. Any thoughts?

 

Should've slapped some sandpaper on the orbital and called Maaco afterwards

 

True dat! I figured I had nothing to lose in trying. I did forget one step I did, which was using a clay mitt after the decon. It may not look much better, but it sure feels better.

 

Looks like the clear coat completely degraded. As far as i know there's no salvaging that with a polisher. Needs a repaint.

 

That’s what I was thinking as well from judging the pictures, I’m not a detail expert by any means, but it just doesn’t seem to have any clear coat to buff and shine, so at that point you are working on paint which isn’t going to react the same as a clear.

 

Clear coat is failing. Only way to fix is repaint.

 

Thanks for the responses. My confidence took a hit when I couldn’t get any kind of a positive outcome. The sides came out fine and I was happy with the results. I recently retired and would like to get to the point I can do a vehicle or two a week to support my eating habits.

 

As everyone else has said, the clearcoat has started to degrade, and in some parts has lost its bond with the underlying color. There's no fixing that one with detail, continued use of the polisher and heating up that clear will likely make it worse.

If you're just getting into it, I would highly recommend Ammo NYC educational series to familiarize yourself with the concepts of paint detailing. They're very informative for the beginner.

Beginner 100 Class playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awLX5qlY-Ts&list=PLABNq41vjJ6MwvvQMDLZbrGmE7H3pS1ft

Intermediate 200 Class playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlM4mvmPHN4&list=PLABNq41vjJ6OTImAFYWp_cXsVL-Y1hI76

 

I started doing details as a side hustle a while ago and I have since learned that paint correction isnt where the money is. I make more doing quick mobile quick washes than I do anything else. I just wash and use a speed wax as a drying aid. All ya really need is a tank, or customers who will let you use theyr water.