why does my machine polishing look rubbish

[croak2012]

Hi, 

spent all this money on das 6 pro,  chemical guys green pads and some super resin polish by autoglym....
I clayed the car before polishing. looking at bonnet under street light and you can see all the scratch marks?
yes the are really fin but is this not the whole point of spending money on machine?   

The green 5.5 pad only had polish on the inside bit - did I not use enough pressure on the pad?
is srp  a compound?  or just a finishing product because did not see much correction.

how do i clean the pads ? should i wait for them to dry before using them again?

thanks

[AJP]

SRP is a filler with a mild cut. I'm not an expert but I'd imagine if you started with something slightly more abrasive you might get better results. Hopefully someone with a better idea can tell you what to use specifically.

[slix]

You should let the weight of the machine do all of the work and no pressure. And is it a rotary or dual action orbital polisher?

Also might be worth trying a better compound. I use this and had good results.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-ME-G17216-Meguair%60s-G17216EU/dp/B002KKCLO6

And you won't get rid of all swirl marks straight away. Some panels require 2 or 3 going over.

[slix]

Also with my pads I let them soak in warm soapy water for an hour or so then hand wash them clean in the same water.

[croak2012]

Maybe you're right - I've heard vw golf paint is really hard  - maybe should of used orange pad first...
and/or a more abrasive compound like the one you suggest.

one you finished washing pad - do you use it straight away or let it dry out  because I did a few panels and then washed the pad in water and
then when I used it again on another panel it looked like it didn't work as well?

I used a tiny tiny bit of pressure to have a constant amount applied to surface...

[slix]

Maybe you're right - I've heard vw golf paint is really hard  - maybe should of used orange pad first...
and/or a more abrasive compound like the one you suggest.

one you finished washing pad - do you use it straight away or let it dry out  because I did a few panels and then washed the pad in water and
then when I used it again on another panel it looked like it didn't work as well?

I used a tiny tiny bit of pressure to have a constant amount applied to surface...

You can press dry the pads but I prefer to use them dry as otherwise the compound will water down loads.

And keep trying. It's a learning curve and I'm still learning every time I do it.

[GTI8v]

Also with my pads I let them soak in warm soapy water for an hour or so then hand wash them clean in the same water.

@slix
Interesting, I've managed to destroy 2 pads already but I've used them dry... what's the reason for soaking them? 
I also think I'm using too much pressure as it looks like the edge of the backing plate is cutting into the pad.
As has already been said, it's a learning curve.

[slix]

Also with my pads I let them soak in warm soapy water for an hour or so then hand wash them clean in the same water.

@slix
Interesting, I've managed to destroy 2 pads already but I've used them dry... what's the reason for soaking them? 
I also think I'm using too much pressure as it looks like the edge of the backing plate is cutting into the pad.
As has already been said, it's a learning curve.

I only soak them after I've finished as to loosen the dried Polish ready for a rub with my hands to clear it all off, then let air dry.

When I first start with a fresh pad I just give it a misting of water once with a spray bottle to help avoid burn as pad will be bone dry.

And said said you don't have to press down as the machines are usually pretty weighty and the weight alone should be perfect.

[GTI8v]

Also with my pads I let them soak in warm soapy water for an hour or so then hand wash them clean in the same water.

@slix
Interesting, I've managed to destroy 2 pads already but I've used them dry... what's the reason for soaking them? 
I also think I'm using too much pressure as it looks like the edge of the backing plate is cutting into the pad.
As has already been said, it's a learning curve.

I only soak them after I've finished as to loosen the dried Polish ready for a rub with my hands to clear it all off, then let air dry.

When I first start with a fresh pad I just give it a misting of water once with a spray bottle to help avoid burn as pad will be bone dry.

And said said you don't have to press down as the machines are usually pretty weighty and the weight alone should be perfect.

Ah ok, thought you were soaking before using.
I have dampened the pads before using, so not too far out then, just got to get used to not pressing too hard as it's getting expensive!
How long should a pad last roughly? (Or how many times to polish a full car?)

[bonelorry]

Sorry but Autoglym is the Wrong Polish!

Autoglym SRP simply won't work and was never really designed to be used on a Machine polisher it is for use by hand. Its a mild hand polish with fillers.

You need a proper compound that still works after the 5th or 6th pass and at high speed, I can imagine you just end up with a mess after a while and a pad thats soaked through.

Regardless of how much pressure you apply you won't get the results.

[Lewo]

My mate used meguirs 105 compound with a DA on my black gti, then ultimate polish and finally the ultimate wax.
Most of it is spot on except for some deeper scratches on the nearside which I might try again with something else.

[croak2012]

Sorry but Autoglym is the Wrong Polish!

Autoglym SRP simply won't work and was never really designed to be used on a Machine polisher it is for use by hand. Its a mild hand polish with fillers.

You need a proper compound that still works after the 5th or 6th pass and at high speed, I can imagine you just end up with a mess after a while and a pad thats soaked through.

Regardless of how much pressure you apply you won't get the results.

I was kind of thinking this ... will buy some meguires tomorrow and start again!


can you use autoglym hd wax with polisher?

[Spankiee]

watch some das 6 how too videos on youtube. best place to start

[croak2012]

would you guys recommend meguires 105 or mezerna 400 from halfords - I will do the car with one of these compounds and then maybe  AG SRP ?

[ChrisGT]

I highly recommend that anyone reads this thread before using a machine to polish a car:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859

Chris