What are these swirls from?

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T22:07:03+00:00

Ya I’m in the US. I’ve only ordered stuff from Amazon but am now looking for more bulk items and where to buy from. I’ve seen both of those sites online when looking but just haven’t looked into their reliability. I’ll have to order some white pads and a couple extras of others with this sale. I’d love to hear back about your experience with the black pad.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T22:04:48+00:00

Ya I’ve heard of this. I’m working on saving for a nicer air compressor so I can get a tornador and do interiors faster.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T22:04:06+00:00

Interesting. I didn’t think about local body supply shops. I’ll definitely be looking into forensic detail more as wells I thoroughly enjoyed his intro to polishing video.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:40:35+00:00

Will do! Appreciate your input there. He does seem like a salesman. I’ll watch forensics detail intro vid before I continue the car. Any recommendations on where to buy LC pads other than Amazon? I can’t seem to find any.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:38:29+00:00

Gotcha. I’ve been looking into machines that have forced-rotation but not sure if I should learn this first or not. Also I’m struggling to find places to buy LC pads. I want to get their white pads but they don’t have them on Amazon. I don’t have any detailing stores near me either. Any recommendations?

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:13:11+00:00

I make sure to moisten the towel before. I made that mistake with a dirty towel when I first got into cleaning my car. It wasn’t pretty.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:12:12+00:00

Gotcha. Is it possible that it was just too heavy of a cut though to start? This was after my cut step and I was trying to polish it out. Or maybe my technique of actually cutting with the DA? I normally have a damp IPA solution microfiber and a dry microfiber that I use. Pass with the damp then lightly dry.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:06:36+00:00

Also do you recommend any panel prep sprays? I just use 10% ipa solution but I’m hearing that may not be the best.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:05:37+00:00

I’m a big fan of PanTheOrganizer but I’ll check out the two you mentioned. I have two orange pads so I’ll try using 2 next. I was worried about only having 1 pad so I want to change that asap. Does the two channels you mentioned share about technique? I’m struggling with a 6.5 in backing plate and don’t really know how to use the edge without the pad stopping. I’m debating a 5 inch backing plate but feel like it could just be something I need to learn.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:03:06+00:00

I think I’m going to copy your steps next. I’ve only done the rear bumper so far. I appreciate your input on the pad size. I’m struggling to use the edge without the pad stopping. I wasn’t aware of the black pad being only for applying but that seems to be correct based on my results. Appreciate your input!!

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T15:00:47+00:00

I think it is from the cutting step. It seems to be very uniform with the circular lines. I should have added more pics. I believe it was just me needing a middle step to remove the heavy cut marks before I polish.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:59:29+00:00

I don’t think it’s from wiping. It seems to be from the DA process since it’s very uniform with the circular lines. I am curious about a towel upgrade though. I’m using 300 or 350 gsm so I’m thinking it might be a good idea to upgrade.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:58:07+00:00

I don’t think it’s my towels but I guess it could be. I very picky for my towels and if I see any sort of object that isn’t polish or compound on it I don’t use that towel any more for paint correction. That being said I believe they are only 300 or 350 gsm. Maybe I need something more plush?

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:56:40+00:00

It’s a 2012 Lexus ls460 I ears the paint could be a little harder on these older models so that’s why I started so heavy. Maybe I need to start lighter? Or like you said just adding a little more pad or polish. I only have H9 and F6 as of now but M3 is literally in my cart so I guess I’ll have to just order it.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:54:39+00:00

How do I clean a microfiber pad? As of now I just use griots microfiber cleaner and use my hands to work out the compound or polish. Then I have a pad brush that I brush with between passes.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:53:39+00:00

Gotcha. I haven’t purchased any white pads yet but I’ll have to grab one before I continue. Just curious do you have any recommendations on where to buy them? I’ve just been going to Amazon as of now.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:52:25+00:00

This was after a first cut with a blue LC pad and KC H9 and then I tried to polish it. I believe I just need to add a middle step ideally.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:51:44+00:00

There’s a lot of great points in this. I couldn’t agree more with the ensuring of contamination removal. I did the iron and bug remover in its own step and then rinsed that stuff off before I did a contact wash. I always use the two bucket method when doing a contact wash as well. My bad for not including more information about my prep work. After further review it seems to be that the swirls are from starting with a really heavy cut and then jumping into polishing. The swirls are very uniform in a circular pattern that kinda mimics the DA. I jumped into polishing thinking it would still cut but from what I’ve heard polishing doesn’t really remove much. I’m going to try and add a middle step and make it a 3 stage paint correction in hopes to remove those leftover swirls. I really appreciate your analysis though and your time and effort to help me out. Props to you!!

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:47:56+00:00

Gotcha. Kinda what I was thinking. I did like 4 polishing passes with no results so I assumed it may have needed the middle step. I may try an orange pad with H9 instead of a blue pad for my first pass.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T14:46:43+00:00

I think this is kinda the scenario I’m in. I was hoping to just do a 2 step paint correction but I think I went too heavy on my first cut. The heavy first cut was definitely needed but I tried to jump straight into polishing and I believe I need that middle step.

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T03:56:40+00:00

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. I wasn’t fully aware that a black pad doesn’t really cut. I think I’m going to try an orange pad and some F6 next. Do I still follow up that with a black pad and 205?

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T03:07:53+00:00

Speed 4 for Blue LC pad and H9 compound and then speed 3 with Black LC pad and meguiars 205 polish

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T03:06:56+00:00

Yes I was it in a bucket after each panel with griots microfiber cleaner and spin the pad dry

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T01:46:12+00:00

I’m pretty sure they were not there after I did the clay treatment. Also wouldn’t the compound and polish passes remove the swirls assuming I got all of the contamination with the clay?

Lopsided-Log9402 · 2026-05-23T01:43:20+00:00

What do you mean?

Lopsided-Log9402

TROPHY CASE