My 01 lapis blue cab came with some swirls and light scratches when I bought it earlier this year. I didn’t realize how delicate Porsche paint is and assumed they would come right out. My detailer has been unable to get them out with wax or light buffing and he is suggesting buffing it with a wool pad. This sounds drastic - is a wool pad going to make a bad situation worse & is their a better avenue or to try first? I’ve got to do something soon because every time I look at the car I get nauseous. It's like Carmen Electra with a giant zit in the middle of her forehead.
I’m in the Washington DC area incase anyone can suggest a detailer familiar with P-cars.
Thanks for any advice

 

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! No wool pad. It was great for the old paint from the 70's-80's but now with the water-based clears, you can accomplish some amazing results by using foam pads and a DA. If it's really bad, you still use foam but an orbital. Send me pics and I can suggest some things to do. But pleaasseee, don't put a wool pad on a P-Car. I'd take it to a reputable body shop if it needs more work than your detailer can handle.

 

+1 for NO wool pads. Thats really abbrasive stuff for the paint. Id definietly stick with a foam pad with a DA and some MG Speed Glaze or MG Dual Action Cleaner Polish at an extent.

 

Thanks for quick response guys - I'm having a hard time finding the right light or angle so you can see the swirls in a picture, but I'll keep trying. My photography knowledge is right up there with my detailing knowledge.

Thanks again

 

a wool pad?!??! you must have a ****ty detailer! i am not sure where you live but if in NY or CA go to these guys http://www.detailingdynamics.com/ the drastic step would be wet sanding with some super fine grit paper, but if you go down pass the clearcoat, it's bodyshop time.

 

Unfortunately I'm in MD or I'd try detailing dynamics. I also have a small ding with paint chip just above front wheel well I need to have fixed too (ding is middle right side of 2nd picture ).

I don't know if you can see it from this picture, but the paint has lots of small scratches, swirls which I assume are through the clear coat.
Thanks again for the advice

 

From looking at those pics, they can be taken out using a DA. Some of the deeper scratches, on your door handle, can be buffed out using a high-speed and foam pad. As for the ding, get the dent out and you'll see what you have to work with. It's a pretty deep chip and you can make it look a little better with touch-up, but it needs to be repainted. So NO WOOL PAD!! For the most part, your clear is in great shape. I don't see oxidation and that's a great sign. It does need some TLC though.

 

Wool pads are for like super ultra heavy swirls/scratches, really abrasive stuff. If you can feel the scratches with your fingernail, then they are too deep and need repainting. Some guys over on autopia can take out deep scratches with touch up paint and make it look flawless for certain colors. I'm learning how to do that soon. If you need a detailer, shoot me a PM, I'm in the DC Metro area.

 

did you try a obrital buff with some good polish? That should at least hide it till the next rain storm.

 

Thanks again guys. I feel better knowing it's not too bad. The car only has 14K and has always been garaged so I don't know how it got to this point.
The original owner is a multi millionaire and stored it a climate controlled environment with 40 something other cars.

I tried the orbital but I wash it too much to make it worth the effort.

 

more of these multi millionaires probably drive the car and puts a car cover over the dirty car

 

Like all the others said NO WOOL PAD ...it will bring more defects a bunch of holograms

Take a look at this 997 S from 2004 , with a factory paint and with only a PC ( Porter Cable Dual ACtion ) you can get amazing results.

THe before :



The during





And the after , polished with Menzerna PO85U with an orange pad x 2 followed with a blue finishing pad and PO85RD.
I then polished with Pink Moose ( Vanila Moose Hand Glaze (50%) and Red Machine Glaze ( 50%) for giving an extra deep darker look , the LSP was Poorboys Nattys WHITE.



2 Weeks later i did a full detail ( you can look here)

Some after full detailing photos











Regards

 

I just want to chime in quickly to agree that on the marring in question for the OP a wool pad is not needed. That said a wool pad is not entirely a bad thing if used correctly. They should be used only when required, but in some situations they are definitely appropriate. As always, tools in the wrong hands can cause damage and in the right hands they can produce good results. I've used my wool pad on 4 cars this summer (2%! ), but in each case it's performed well.



As you can see, sometimes its use is warranted!

 

Fantastic job! I absolutely love Mezerna! If I am not mistaken, P085U is no longer available in the US. We only have Intensive Polish, Final Polish II and PP105FF. On black, I have used Final Polish II with a very conservative white pad and had fantastic results. Did you use a green or orange pad on the black Porsche? Also, have you tried PP105FF and does it live up to it's reputation on Mercedes Ceramcoat paints?

 

I think you can get PO85U in the US , known as FPII

In the black cars i like to finish always with PO85RD or PO106FF depending the
clearcoat, defects , etc.

Take a look at this 2006 Mercedes CLS 320 CDi ( AMG Kit ) , just brand new , only with 5 miles on it , and covered with holograms and light swirling in rear...free of charge by the Stealership



I polished with a PC/green pad ( polishing ) and 106FF/RMG for a darer look , my LSP was Poorboys Natty White for a extreme wet look



And another example in a Bmw 645ci , polished with PO106FF/RMG with a PC , LSP Nattys white.
I did a Full detail sometime before this mini detail, but some expert eashers screwed BIG TIME






Last but no least , this is a Cayenne V6 from early 2006 finished with PO106FF and OCW .



And another look...it take PO91L and PO85U before.



Regards